Cabazitaxel (Injection)

Introduction

Cabazitaxel (ka-baz-i-TAX-el)

Used together with prednisone (a steroid medicine) to treat prostate cancer. This is an antineoplastic agent.

Brand Name(s)

Jevtana

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
• You will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• This medicine is usually given every three weeks and taken together with oral prednisone. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take and how often.
• You may also receive other medicines to help prevent allergic reactions and nausea from the injection.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using St. John's wort, medicine to treat an infection (such as clarithromycin, telithromycin, Biaxin®, or Ketek®), medicine to treat a fungus infection (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, Nizoral®, Sporanox®, or Vfend®), medicine to treat depression (such as nefazodone or Serzone®), medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (such as atazanavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, Crixivan®, Fortovase®, Invirase®, Norvir®, Reyataz®, or Viracept®), medicine to treat tuberculosis (such as rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine, Mycobutin®, Priftin®, Rifadin®, or Rimactane®), or medicine for seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, Dilantin®, or Tegretol®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should avoid touching or handling this medicine. This medicine can get into the body through the skin and may harm an unborn male baby.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease, liver disease, anemia, diarrhea, dehydration, neutropenia (low white blood cells), an infection, thrombocytopenia (low platelets in the blood), or a weak immune system.
• This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.
• This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions. Tell your doctor right away if you start to have a cough; dizziness; wheezing; trouble with breathing; chest or throat tightness; swelling in your face or hands; fever; chills; rash; itching or hives; skin redness; or lightheadedness or faintness while you are receiving this medicine.
• Cancer medicines can cause diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting in most people, sometimes even after receiving medicines to prevent it. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control these side effects.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for side effects.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate, difficult or painful urination.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.
• Red or dark brown urine.
• Shortness of breath or troubled breathing.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back pain.
• Bad or unusual taste in your mouth.
• Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain or upset.
• Hair loss.
• Headache or dizziness.
• Joint or muscle pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Sores, ulcers, or white patches in the mouth.
• Weight loss.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088