Pazopanib (By mouth)

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• 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.
• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach. Take this medicine at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, and it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip that dose and take your next dose at the normal time. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

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 also use clarithromycin (Biaxin®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), ritonavir (Norvir®), or medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, procainamide, propafenone, quinidine, sotalol, Cardioquin®, Cordarone®, Norpace®, Procanbid®, Rythmol®, Tambocor®, or Tikosyn®).
• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

Introduction

Pazopanib (paz-OH-pa-nib)

Treats late-stage kidney cancer.

Brand Name(s)

Votrient

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems (such as QT prolongation), thyroid problems, or a history of severe chest pain, heart attack, or stroke.
• Tell your doctor if you have had any bleeding problems in the last 6 months, including bleeding in your digestive system. Some possible symptoms are coughing up blood, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, or black or bloody stools.
• Liver problems may occur while you are using this medicine. Call your doctor right away if you have more than one of these symptoms: abdominal or stomach pain or tenderness; clay-colored stools; dark urine; decreased appetite; itching; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting; skin rash; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin.
• This medicine can cause changes in heart rhythms, such as a condition called QT prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects in some patients. Contact your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats.
• You will need to have your blood pressure measured before you start this medicine and while you are using it. If you notice any change to your recommended blood pressure, call your doctor right away. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.
• Check with your doctor right away if you have severe abdominal or stomach burning, cramps, or pains; bloody or black, tarry stools; trouble breathing; heartburn; indigestion; nausea; or vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds. These could be symptoms of a serious bowel problem.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.Make sure your doctor knows if you have had surgery recently.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• This medicine may increase your chance of bleeding. To help with this problem, 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 you use sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.
• Cancer medicines can cause diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting in most people, sometimes even after they receive medicine to prevent it. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control these 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
• Bloody or black, tarry stools
• Chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, unusual sweating, faintness
• Cloudy urine
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach
• Numbness or weakness on one side of your body
• Pain or swelling in your stomach
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
• Vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• Yellow skin or eyes

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

• Change in hair color, hair loss
• Diarrhea
• Mild headache
• Mild nausea, vomiting, appetite 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