Frequently Asked Questions About ABRAXANE
- Q:Can I take ABRAXANE if I am pregnant?
- A:You should not get pregnant if you are taking ABRAXANE. It is important that you tell your doctor if you become pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking ABRAXANE.
- Q:Can I take ABRAXANE if I am breastfeeding?
- A:You should not nurse a baby while taking ABRAXANE because it may affect your milk.
- Q:Can I get pregnant if my husband is receiving ABRAXANE?
- A:Men should not father a child while being treated with ABRAXANE.
- Q:What if I want to become pregnant in the future?
- A:Talk with your doctor about any long-term effects of ABRAXANE and your ability to become pregnant in the future.
- Q:Are there other important side effects associated with ABRAXANE in addition to the ones mentioned in this website?
- A:For a full list of side effects, please see the full Prescribing Information for ABRAXANE—and remember to talk with your doctor or nurse if you need more information or have any concerns about side effects.
- Q:Is ABRAXANE right for me?
- A:ABRAXANE is a prescription medicine for breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. ABRAXANE is used after treatment with combination chemotherapy has stopped working, including anthracyclines, if appropriate, or when the cancer has come back within 6 months of treatment after surgery. Talk with your doctor to find out if ABRAXANE is right for you.
- Q:How do I take ABRAXANE?
- A:ABRAXANE is given by intravenous (IV) infusion in your doctor’s office, a hospital, or an infusion center. The infusion takes 30 minutes, and is given every 3 weeks.
- Q:What should I tell my doctor before starting treatment with ABRAXANE?
- A:Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Also, be sure to mention any allergies or other conditions you may have.
- Q:What should I do if I experience sensory neuropathy?
- A:It is very important that you talk with your doctor or nurse if you experience sensory neuropathy (numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands and feet), because symptoms can often be managed with the right care.
- Q:When should I talk with my doctor or nurse while I am taking ABRAXANE?
- A:Any time you have a question or concern about treatment with ABRAXANE, or if you experience any physical changes (including any side effects), you should talk with your doctor or nurse.
NEXT: Preparing for Your Next Appointment
ABRAXANE is a prescription medicine for breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. ABRAXANE is used after treatment with combination chemotherapy has stopped working, including anthracyclines, if appropriate, or when the cancer has come back within 6 months of treatment after surgery.
Important Safety Information About ABRAXANE®
WARNING: ABRAXANE for Injectable Suspension (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) should be given only by a doctor who is experienced in giving chemotherapy. That way, if any problems come up during treatment, your doctor will be able to manage them.
If you have a low white blood cell count (neutropenia), you should not take ABRAXANE, since you may be more likely to get a serious infection. While taking ABRAXANE, you must get regular blood tests to check for any problems that could develop.
ABRAXANE contains albumin, a substance found in human blood. Albumin can affect the way other drugs work.
- ABRAXANE has not been studied in people with kidney problems
- If you are pregnant, or become pregnant, ABRAXANE can cause harm to your unborn baby. You should avoid becoming pregnant while taking ABRAXANE
- Men should not father a child while being treated with ABRAXANE
- If you have a very low white blood cell count, you should not take ABRAXANE. If your white blood cell count goes down while taking ABRAXANE, you should stop taking it until your white blood cell count returns to normal. If your white blood cell count drops very low, your doctor will lower your dose of ABRAXANE
- It is not known whether ABRAXANE interacts with other drugs, so be sure to tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking
- People treated with ABRAXANE often have a side effect called sensory neuropathy, a numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands, feet, and ankles. If you get mild sensory neuropathy, you will probably not have to lower your dose of ABRAXANE. If sensory neuropathy becomes severe, you may have to stop taking ABRAXANE until it improves, and then continue treatment at a lower dose
- Treatment with ABRAXANE can make liver problems worse. If you have liver problems, your starting dose of ABRAXANE should be lowered
- Treatment with ABRAXANE can cause irritation where the medicine is injected (injection site reactions). When taking ABRAXANE, you should be monitored by your doctor or nurse to make sure no problems occur at the injection site
- Since it is not known if ABRAXANE passes into human milk, you should stop nursing if you are taking ABRAXANE
- You should not drive a car when you are being treated with ABRAXANE. Side effects such as feeling very tired (fatigue), having no energy (lethargy), or feeling sick (malaise) can affect your ability to drive or use machinery
- In a clinical trial, severe heart and blood vessel side effects occurred in approximately 3% of women taking ABRAXANE. Side effects included chest pain, heart attack, fluid under the skin, blood clots in the veins or lungs, and high blood pressure. Stroke and heart failure were rare
- The most important side effects during treatment with ABRAXANE included hair loss, low white blood cell count, sensory neuropathy, weakness, muscle or joint pain, low red blood cell count (anemia), nausea, diarrhea, infection, vomiting, and sores in the mouth or on the lips (mucositis)
- Other side effects included vision problems, kidney problems, fluid retention, liver problems, and allergic reactions, and a decrease in blood clotting cells (platelets). Dehydration and fever were common
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, and ADVERSE REACTIONS.