Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment Drug: ABRAXANE for Injectable Suspension
For US Residents Only
ABRAXANE for Injectable Suspension
Text size


 

Online Information


Black Box Warning

ABRAXANE is a prescription medicine used to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body after treatment with certain other medicines has not worked.

ABRAXANE for Injectable Suspension (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin bound) is indicated for the treatment of breast cancer after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline unless clinically contraindicated.

When going through metastatic breast cancer treatment, it is important to have access to as many helpful resources as possible. Below are Web sites that provide information about breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer treatment, breast cancer therapy, breast cancer advocacy, and a range of other topics.

Online support and community

BCMets
The largest online community of people living with advanced breast cancer, their families, and their friends. Enter search criteria for information and patient mailing list submissions.

CancerCare
A national nonprofit organization that offers complimentary assistance services to those affected by cancer.

Cancer Hope Network
Offers free, confidential, one-on-one support for people with cancer and their families.

Caring 4 Cancer
An online community to help provide strength to those fighting cancer.

Imaginis
An online health resource for women and those battling breast cancer.

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS)
The oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization in the country. Advocates for superior cancer care for all Americans.

Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)
A national nonprofit organization that aims to protect patients by finding them access to care, helping to maintain their employment, and ensuring that they are financially stable.

People Living With Cancer
An award-winning patient information Web site of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) that contains oncologist-approved cancer information.

SusanLoveMD.org
A nonprofit organization whose purpose is to advance the quality of women's health through groundbreaking research, education and advocacy.

Breast cancer organizations

BreastCancer.org
A clearinghouse of breast cancer education information on a spectrum of topics. Support resources include chat rooms, discussion boards, and online conferences.

Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Center
Offers a wealth of clinical and support services as well as unprecedented high-quality care.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Provides news and message boards for women with breast cancer.

National Breast Cancer Foundation
A customizable site for breast cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and supporters.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
A not-for-profit whose primary objective is to enrich the quality and resourcefulness of the oncology practice.

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Provides useful information, research news, and information on how to get involved with the Komen Race for the Cure.

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
Offers general cancer and lifestyle information.

General cancer resources

American Cancer Society (ACS)
Universal cancer resources, statistics, treatment information, and health news.

Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR)
Provides access to 159 mailing lists that offer assistance and information to people affected by cancer.

CancerLinks
A search engine that retrieves cancer-related sites.

OncoLink
Administers information about specific types of cancer and provides news about cancer treatments and research advances.

Smith Farm Center for the Healing Arts
Healing resources and words of encouragement for those living with cancer, their families, and their health care professionals.

WebMD
Provides health information through portals, publications, and an online community with expert-led and peer-to-peer message boards.

Medical associations and government agencies

ClinicalTrials.gov
Information about federally and privately supported clinical research.

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Contains invaluable cancer information for the general public, patients, and health care professionals.

NCI Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer
Provides up-to-date information on nanotech oncology.

NIH Roadmap
Offers a guide to finding information on medical research.

 

 

WARNING: ABRAXANE for Injectable Suspension (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound) should be given under the care of a doctor experienced with cancer therapy in a health care facility that is capable of managing possible complications.

ABRAXANE should not be given to patients who have dangerously low white blood counts because of the risk for serious infections. Frequent blood tests are used to check white blood cell count during therapy with ABRAXANE.

An albumin form of paclitaxel may behave differently in the body than other paclitaxel medications. ABRAXANE SHOULD NOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR OR WITH OTHER PACLITAXEL FORMULATIONS.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

One of the more important side effects associated with chemotherapy is a decrease in the number of infectionfighting white blood cells (neutrophils) called "neutropenia". ABRAXANE should not be given to patients with dangerously low white blood cell counts because of the risk for serious infections. Your doctor will schedule blood tests to check your white blood cell count (absolute neutrophil count [ANC]) during therapy with ABRAXANE. Tell your doctor if you have a fever or notice any other signs of an infection.

Women should avoid becoming pregnant while being treated with ABRAXANE. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, if you become pregnant, or you plan to become pregnant while taking ABRAXANE. Nursing a baby while taking ABRAXANE is not recommended because the drug may be present in breast milk. Men should be advised not to father a child while receiving ABRAXANE.

ABRAXANE contains albumin a derivative of human blood.

The most important side effects have included hair loss, infections due to low white blood cell count, numbness, tingling or burning in the hands or feet, fatigue and weakness, low red blood cell count, mouth or lip sores, joint and muscle pain, stomach upset and diarrhea, heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) effects and irritation at the injection site.

Numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands and feet (neuropathy) occurs with ABRAXANE and other paclitaxel medications. Be sure to tell your doctor if you experience these symptoms. Your doctor may interrupt treatment and restart at a lower dose after symptoms improve.

Other side effects have included blurred vision or eye irritation, fluid retention, liver and kidney dysfunction, low platelet counts, dehydration, fever and allergic reactions (which in rare cases were severe). Tell your doctor about any side effects that bother you.

Your ability to drive and use machines may be limited by side effects such as: fatigue, lethargy and malaise.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The information on this site is intended for US residents only.

ABRAXANE is a registered
trademark of Abraxis BioScience, LLC.

All Abraxis BioScience, LLC.
corporate names, names of services,
and names of products referred to herein
are trade names, service marks, and/or
trademarks that are owned by or licensed
to Abraxis BioScience, its divisions or its
affiliates, unless otherwise noted.

©2010 Abraxis BioScience, LLC.
All Rights Reserved. AB 1650 05/10

Abraxis

WARNING: ABRAXANE for Injectable Suspension (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound) should be given under the care of a doctor experienced with cancer therapy in a health care facility that is capable of managing possible complications.

ABRAXANE should not be given to patients who have dangerously low white blood counts because of the risk for serious infections. Frequent blood tests are used to check white blood cell count during therapy with ABRAXANE.

An albumin form of paclitaxel may behave differently in the body than other paclitaxel medications. ABRAXANE SHOULD NOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR OR WITH OTHER PACLITAXEL FORMULATIONS.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

One of the more important side effects associated with chemotherapy is a decrease in the number of infectionfighting white blood cells (neutrophils) called "neutropenia". ABRAXANE should not be given to patients with dangerously low white blood cell counts because of the risk for serious infections. Your doctor will schedule blood tests to check your white blood cell count (absolute neutrophil count [ANC]) during therapy with ABRAXANE. Tell your doctor if you have a fever or notice any other signs of an infection.

Women should avoid becoming pregnant while being treated with ABRAXANE. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, if you become pregnant, or you plan to become pregnant while taking ABRAXANE. Nursing a baby while taking ABRAXANE is not recommended because the drug may be present in breast milk. Men should be advised not to father a child while receiving ABRAXANE.

ABRAXANE contains albumin a derivative of human blood.

The most important side effects have included hair loss, infections due to low white blood cell count, numbness, tingling or burning in the hands or feet, fatigue and weakness, low red blood cell count, mouth or lip sores, joint and muscle pain, stomach upset and diarrhea, heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) effects and irritation at the injection site.

Numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands and feet (neuropathy) occurs with ABRAXANE and other paclitaxel medications. Be sure to tell your doctor if you experience these symptoms. Your doctor may interrupt treatment and restart at a lower dose after symptoms improve.

Other side effects have included blurred vision or eye irritation, fluid retention, liver and kidney dysfunction, low platelet counts, dehydration, fever and allergic reactions (which in rare cases were severe). Tell your doctor about any side effects that bother you.

Your ability to drive and use machines may be limited by side effects such as: fatigue, lethargy and malaise.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The information on this site is intended for US residents only.

ABRAXANE is a registered trademark of Abraxis BioScience, LLC. Abraxis Oncology® is a division of Abraxis BioScience, LLC.

All Abraxis BioScience, LLC. corporate names, names of services, and names of products referred to herein are trade names, service marks, and/or trademarks that are owned by or licensed to Abraxis BioScience, its divisions or its affiliates, unless otherwise noted.

©2010 Abraxis BioScience, LLC.
All Rights Reserved. AB 1650   05/10
(Site updated 01/09)

Abraxis