Formulary
Paclitaxel [Specialist drug]: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Paclitaxel [Specialist drug] clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Paclitaxel [Specialist drug]: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Paclitaxel [Specialist drug] clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Ovarian cancer [conventional paclitaxel only],Non-small cell lung cancer [conventional paclitaxel and albumin-bound paclitaxel],AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma [conventional paclitaxel only],Breast cancer [conventional paclitaxel and albumin-bound paclitaxel],Pancreatic adenocarcinoma [albumin-bound paclitaxel only]**
- **Adult** (By Intravenous Infusion): Specialist drug - access specialist resources for dosing information.
Contraindications
For paclitaxel [Specialist drug] Acute porphyrias
Side effects
For paclitaxel [Specialist drug] Common or very common Alopecia; anaemia; anxiety; appetite decreased; arrhythmias; arthralgia; asthenia; bone marrow disorders; chest discomfort; chills; constipation; cough; decreased leucocytes; depression; diarrhoea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry eye; dry mouth; dyspnoea; electrolyte imbalance; eye disorders; eye inflammation; fever; fluid imbalance; gait abnormal; gastrointestinal discomfort; gastrointestinal disorders; haemorrhage; headache; hyperpyrexia; hypersensitivity; hypertension; hypotension; increased risk of infection; influenza like illness; insomnia; interstitial lung disease; laryngeal pain; lymphoedema; malaise; movement disorders; mucositis; muscle complaints; muscle weakness; nail discolouration; nail disorders; nasal complaints; nausea; nerve disorders; neurotoxicity; neutropenia; oedema; oral disorders; pain; palpitations; performance status decreased; sensation abnormal; skin reactions; syncope; taste altered; thinking abnormal; thrombocytopenia; urinary disorders; vasodilation; vertigo; vision disorders; vomiting; weight changes Uncommon Allergic rhinitis; breast pain; cardiac conduction disorders; cardiomyopathy; catheter related infection; dysphagia; ear pain; embolism and thrombosis; eye discomfort; facial swelling; heart failure; hepatic disorders; hoarseness; hyperglycaemia; hypoalbuminaemia; hypoglycaemia; limb discomfort; myocardial infarction; neoplasm complications; ototoxicity; peripheral coldness; photosensitivity reaction; polydipsia; reflexes abnormal; respiratory disorders; sepsis; sweat changes; swelling; tremor Rare or very rare Ascites; autonomic dysfunction; cardiac arrest; confusion; encephalopathy; hearing loss; left ventricular dysfunction; neoplasms; pancreatitis; pseudomembranous enterocolitis; pulmonary fibrosis; pulmonary hypertension; radiation injuries; seizures; severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs); shock Frequency not known Cardiovascular event; cranial nerve palsies multiple; disseminated intravascular coagulation; scleroderma; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); tumour lysis syndrome; vocal cord paresis Side-effects, further information Manufacturer advises routine premedication with a corticosteroid, an antihistamine and a histamine H2-receptor antagonist is recommended to prevent severe hypersensitivity reactions; hypersensitivity reactions may occur rarely despite premedication.
Medicinal forms
Solution,Powder
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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