Paclitaxel
Description
Paclitaxel is an anticancer medicine that is used in the treatment of various cancers of the female reproductive system, lungs, and breast. Cancer is a group of disorders involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.
Paclitaxel helps in controlling abnormal cell growth by stopping the multiplication of cancer cells, which eventually kills them. This medicine can be given separately or combined with other medicines as a part of your chemotherapy.
Paclitaxel can cause side effects like fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Most of them are temporary and get better with time. Consult your doctor if these side effects are bothering you or getting worse. Avoid driving vehicles and operating machines as this medicine can me you feel dizzy.
Paclitaxel is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic. Your dose and duration of the therapy will be decided on the basis of your clinical condition. You should complete the whole treatment even if you feel better midway. It could take several weeks or months to see any benefits.
Paclitaxel is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor about your current medicines and medical conditions before taking this medicine. This can help your doctor to adjust the dose and avoid side effects. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Paclitaxel
- Neutropenia
- Difficult or painful urination
- Dizziness when getting up suddenly from a sitting position
- Fever and chills
- Pale skin
- Allergic skin reaction
- Mouth ulcers
- Difficulty in breathing
- Chest discomfort
- Swelling and redness at the injection site
- Diarrhoea
- Hair loss or thinning of the hair
- Nausea and vomiting
- Joint pain
Uses of Paclitaxel
What is it prescribed for?
- Ovarian Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Kaposi's Sarcoma
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Paclitaxel to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Paclitaxel lasts for an average duration of 27 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported for Paclitaxel.
- Usage in pregnancy?Paclitaxel is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it can harm your unborn child by resulting in birth defects. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping this medicine to understand all risks and benefits.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Paclitaxel can pass into breast milk in large amounts which can harm your baby. Therefore, this medicine is not recommended to be used if you are breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping this medicine to understand all risks and benefits.
Allergy
Avoid taking Paclitaxel if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Neutrophils count
Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that is an important part of the immune system and helps the body fight infection. Paclitaxel is not recommended in people with a neutrophil count less than 1,500 cells/mm3
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Paclitaxel is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it can harm your unborn child by resulting in birth defects. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping this medicine to understand all risks and benefits.
Breast-feeding
Paclitaxel can pass into breast milk in large amounts which can harm your baby. Therefore, this medicine is not recommended to be used if you are breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping this medicine to understand all risks and benefits.
General warnings
Blood cell count
Paclitaxel may lower the white blood cell and platelet counts which can make you more prone to infection and bleeding. Close monitoring of complete blood cell counts is necessary during treatment with this medicine. If required, ask for dose adjustments or another medicine.
Infections
The chances of occurring infections are more in the people receiving Paclitaxel. Your doctor can hold the chemotherapy and start with broad-spectrum antibiotics if there are any signs and symptoms of infections like fever and chills.
Allergy
Paclitaxel may cause severe cutaneous (skin) adverse reactions or life-threatening reactions in some people. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on your clinical condition.
Liver impairement
Paclitaxel should be used with extreme caution in people with liver diseases as it can cause acute liver failure and other liver reactions such as hepatitis and increased liver enzymes. Liver function should be assessed before initiating the treatment. You can ask for dose adjustments or suitable alternatives if required.
Use in men
Men should not plan for a child when receiving Paclitaxel.
Missed Dose
Since Paclitaxel is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the hospital or clinical setting, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.
Overdose
Since Paclitaxel is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Clozapine
Diltiazem
Atorvastatin
Live vaccines
Disease interactions
Cardiac Dysfunction
Paclitaxel should be used with extreme caution in people with heart problems as this medicine is known to cause heart failure and affect the normal functioning of the heart.
Bone marrow suppression
Bone marrow suppression is a condition in which your bone marrow (tissues found in the bone) is not able to produce sufficient levels of blood cells. Paclitaxel should be used with caution if you are having conditions like bone marrow suppression as it may worsen your health condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Paclitaxel is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic.
Inform your doctor if you had an allergic reaction previously to Paclitaxel. Do not self administer.
Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor, as it may worsen your condition.
Your doctor may do request blood tests to monitor your blood cell count and other parameters.
Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you feel dizzy or drowsy after taking Paclitaxel.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Paclitaxel works by stopping the growth of cells by acting on microtubules that provide structure and movement of the cells.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antineoplastics
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. Paclitaxel 6mg/ml Concentrate For Solution For Infusion - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: [Accessed 4 April 2022].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. Paclitaxel Injection, USP. [online] Available at: [Accessed 4 April 2022].
Drugs, H., 2022. Paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 4 April 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 11 Jan 2023
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.