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Overview: Paclitaxel protein-bound is an intravenous (IV) infusion given by a health care provider to treat cancer. Common side effects include hair loss, nerve problems, and tiredness. Serious side effects are rare but include serious allergic reactions and blood disorders. Contact your health care provider right away if you have pain, burning, or tingling of your hands or feet, fever, or trouble breathing.

Uses

What is paclitaxel protein-bound used for?

Paclitaxel protein-bound is commonly used to treat certain people with the following cancers.

Paclitaxel protein-bound may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Paclitaxel protein-bound is also available in a form that is not bound to a protein. See Paclitaxel for more information.

How does paclitaxel protein-bound work (mechanism of action)?

Paclitaxel protein-bound is a type of medicine known as chemotherapy. It works by stopping certain cells from dividing and multiplying. This helps to slow or stop cancer tumors from growing. The protein-bound form of paclitaxel was created to limit side effects and allergic reactions.

How is paclitaxel protein-bound supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Abraxane

Paclitaxel protein-bound is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store paclitaxel protein-bound?

Paclitaxel protein-bound is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of paclitaxel protein-bound?

The most common side effects of paclitaxel protein-bound are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the cancer that is being treated. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Blood disorders (see below)
  • Hair loss
  • Nerve problems (see below)
  • Changes in heart rhythm
  • Tiredness or weakness
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Changes in liver function tests
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Infections
  • Fluid retention in arms and legs
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Rash
  • Dehydration

There may be other side effects of paclitaxel protein-bound that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of paclitaxel protein-bound?

While less common, the most serious side effects of paclitaxel protein-bound are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Paclitaxel protein-bound may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Blood Disorders. Paclitaxel protein-bound can cause blood disorders, such as low neutrophils (neutropenia), low red blood cell levels (anemia), and low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia). Keep all appointments for blood work so your health care provider can monitor your blood cell counts. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders or an infection.

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Frequent infection
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Headache
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat

Nerve Problems. Nerves are the fibers that carry sensations from your body to the brain. Damage to these nerves, called peripheral neuropathy, can happen in people who are using paclitaxel protein-bound. Call your health care provider if you have pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet.

Lung Inflammation. Paclitaxel protein-bound can cause inflammation in your lungs, also called interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis. This can be serious or even life-threatening. Get emergency help if you have trouble breathing. You may also have a cough, fever, or chest pain.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use paclitaxel protein-bound?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use paclitaxel protein-bound.

  • Abraxane
  • Paclitaxel
  • Paclitaxel protein-bound
  • Taxol
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in paclitaxel protein-bound.

Low White Blood Cell Levels. Paclitaxel protein-bound may not be safe to use if you have low levels of a type of white blood called a neutrophil (neutropenia). Your health care provider may check your neutrophil level to see if it is safe for you to use paclitaxel protein-bound.

What should I know about paclitaxel protein-bound before using it?

Paclitaxel protein-bound is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. 

Your health care provider will likely monitor your body’s response to paclitaxel protein-bound with blood tests. Keep all appointments so your health care provider can make sure it is safe for you to start and continue to use paclitaxel protein-bound. 

If you can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control while using paclitaxel protein-bound and for at least six months after your last dose. If you are able to get your partner pregnant, you should use effective birth control while using paclitaxel protein-bound and for at least three months after your last dose.

Paclitaxel protein-bound may make it hard for you to get pregnant or get your partner pregnant. If you have concerns, talk to your health care provider.

People who are 65 or older can be at greater risk of some side effects from paclitaxel protein-bound. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my health care provider before using paclitaxel protein-bound?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if paclitaxel protein-bound is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems
  • Nerve problems
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Lung or breathing problems
  • Previous injection-site reactions
  • Previous allergic reaction to a medicine known as a taxane, such as docetaxel or cabazitaxel 

Other Medicines and Supplements. Paclitaxel protein-bound may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using paclitaxel protein-bound, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Paclitaxel protein-bound may cause harm to a fetus. Your health care provider may need to make sure you are not pregnant before you start using paclitaxel protein-bound. Talk to your health care provider about your birth control options. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if paclitaxel protein-bound passes into breast milk. You should not breastfeed while receiving paclitaxel protein-bound and for at least two weeks after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

Interactions

Does paclitaxel protein-bound interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between paclitaxel protein-bound and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect paclitaxel protein-bound, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer.

Does paclitaxel protein-bound interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using paclitaxel protein-bound.

  • Buspirone (Buspar), which is a medication used for anxiety
  • Felodipine (Plendil), which is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure
  • Eletriptan (Relpax), which is a medicine commonly used to treat migraines
  • Sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra, and others), which is a medicine used for erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
  • Triazolam (Halcion), which is a medicine used to treat insomnia
  • A protease inhibitor, such as atazanavir (Reyataz), nelfinavir (Viracept), or ritonavir (Norvir), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV
  • Clarithromycin, which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which are used for fungal infections
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Repaglinide (Prandin), which is a medicine for diabetes
  • A medicine for high cholesterol, such as fenofibrate (Tricor), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), gemfibrozil (Lopid), lovastatin, or simvastatin (Zocor)

If your chemotherapy medicines include use of gemcitabine with paclitaxel protein-bound to treat your cancer, your risk of a serious infection or lung problem may be higher. Serious side effects including sepsis and pneumonitis occurred when these two medicines were used together. In some cases, they were very dangerous and even life-threatening. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns. 

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with paclitaxel protein-bound. Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of paclitaxel protein-bound. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much paclitaxel protein-bound?

If you or someone else has used too much paclitaxel protein-bound, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of paclitaxel protein-bound?

Missing doses of paclitaxel protein-bound can cause it to not work as well over time. So it is important not to miss or skip doses. Paclitaxel protein-bound is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving paclitaxel protein-bound as scheduled.

If you miss an appointment to get your paclitaxel protein-bound dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.