Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment Drug: ABRAXANE for Injectable Suspension

ABRAXANE for Injectable Suspension
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Books and Publications


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 breast cancer treatment, it is important to have access to as many helpful resources as possible. The following provide information and support to help you stay focused on your treatment plan and overall health.

This list of resources is provided merely as a convenience. Abraxis take no responsibility for the content of, or services provided by, the resources and make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided and shall have no liability for any damages or injuries of any kind arising from the information contained within these resources.

  • Advanced Breast Cancer: A Guide to Living with Metastatic Disease
    By Musa Mayer. 2nd edition. O’Reilly & Associates, Inc., 1998.
    Practical advice and emotional support for women and families dealing with the realities of metastatic breast cancer.
  • Art.Rage.Us.: Art and Writing by Women with Breast Cancer
    By Jill Eikenberry and Terry Tempest. Chronicle Books, 1998.
    Inspiring artwork and writing by breast cancer survivors, an outgrowth of an exhibit at the San Francisco Main Library Gallery.
  • Betty Crocker’s Living with Cancer Cookbook: Easy Recipes and Tips Through Treatment and Beyond
    Betty Crocker, 2001.
    Advice from cancer patients, from tips for coping with emotions to making recipes more appealing. Recipes are tagged to show which are helpful for common side effects of cancer treatment.
  • The Breast Cancer Book of Strength & Courage: Inspiring Stories to See You Through Your Journey
    By Ernie Bodai, M.D., and Judie Fertig Panneton. 1st edition. Prima Lifestyles, 2002.
    Uplifting stories of women who faced mastectomies, radiation, and chemotherapy with courage, humor, and grace.
  • The Cancer Monologue Project
    By Tanya Taylor and Pamela Thompson. MacAdam/Cage Publishing, 2002.
    In a series of workshops, people affected by cancer were invited to write and perform their stories about living, resulting in these 30 engaging monologues.
  • Hanging Out With Lab Coats: Hope, Humor & Help for Cancer Patients and their Caregivers
    By Wendi Fox Pedicone. FoxPress. 2007.
    Both an uplifting memoir about a survivor’s battle with breast cancer and a helpful breast cancer resource.
  • Holding Tight, Letting Go: Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer
    By Musa Mayer. 1st edition. Patient Center Guides, 1997.
    A personalized and highly informed guide to life with metastatic breast cancer.
  • Here for Now: Living Well with Cancer Through Mindfulness
    By Elana Rosenbaum. Satya House Publications, 2005.
    Mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques.
  • Live Longer, Live Larger: A Holistic Approach for Cancer Patients and Their Families
    By Susan W. Buchholz, Ph.D., and William M. Buchholz, M.D. 1st edition. Patient Center Guides, 2001.
    Stories and exercises to help conquer fear, find the right treatment, and increase the quality and meaning of life.

 

Important Safety Information & Boxed 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 infection-fighting 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 treatment with ABRAXANE.

ABRAXANE contains albumin (human), 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, and allergic reactions (which in rare cases were severe). Tell your doctor about any side effects that bother you.

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.

© 2009 Abraxis BioScience, LLC.
All Rights Reserved. AO 1172    2/09

Abraxis

Important Safety Information & Boxed 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 infection-fighting 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 treatment with ABRAXANE.

ABRAXANE contains albumin (human), 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, and allergic reactions (which in rare cases were severe). Tell your doctor about any side effects that bother you.

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.

© 2009 Abraxis BioScience, LLC.
All Rights Reserved. AO 1172    2/09
(Site updated 01/09)

Abraxis