Vandetanib (Generic Name)
Other Names: Caprelsa®

About This Drug

Cabazitaxel is a drug used to treat cancer. This drug is given intravenously (IV).

Possible Side Effects (More Common)

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Bone marrow depression. This is a decrease in the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Bone marrow depression usually occurs 7 to 10 days after the drug is given, and may increase your risk of infection, fatigue, and bleeding.
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • High blood pressure
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • Decrease in appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Skin changes such as a rash which may look like acne, redness, itchiness,dry skin or cracked skin, peeling skin or signs of skin infection.
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Depression
  • Blurred vision
  • Changes in your heart, liver, kidney function.  Your doctor will monitor this by  blood tests.
  • Changes in your electrolytes which will be monitored by blood tests.

Possible Side Effects (Less Common)

  • Lung infection
  • Heart attack ( rare).  Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes. Or the discomfort may go away and come back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. Sometimes discomfort is felt in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach. If any of these symptoms last 2 minutes, call 911. 
  • Respiratory arrest or failure. Call 911 if there is severe shortness of breath or lack of breathing
  • Hand and foot syndrome. The palms of your hands or soles of your feet may tingle, become numb, painful, swollen, or red.
  • Soreness of the mouth and throat. You may have red areas, white patches, or sores that are painful.
  • Allergic reactions to this drug occur in some patients.  Signs of allergic reaction are rash or itching, dizziness or lightheadedness, palpitations, and shortness of breath.


Sexual Problems and Reproduction Concerns

  • Pregnancy warning: This drug may have harmful effects on the unborn child, so effective methods of birth control should be used during your cancer treatment.
  • Genetic counseling is available to you to discuss the effect of this drug therapy on future pregnancies. In addition, a genetic counselor can review the potential risks of problems in the fetus due to this medication if an exposure during pregnancy has occurred.  
  • Breast feeding warning: It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. For this reason, women are advised to discuss with their doctor the risks and benefits of breast feeding during treatment with this drug, because this drug may enter the breast milk and seriously harm a breast-feeding infant.

Treating Side Effects

  • Drink 6 to 8 cups of fluids every day unless your doctor has told you to restrict your fluid intake due to another medical condition. A cup is 8 ounces of fluid. If you vomit or have diarrhea, you should drink more fluids so that you do not become dehydrated.
  • Ask your doctor or nurse what you can apply to a rash or other skin problem. Do not put anything on your rash or skin redness unless your doctor or nurse says you may. Keep the area around the rash clean and dry.
  • Mouth care is very important. Your mouth care should consist of regular, gentle cleaning of your teeth or dentures and rinsing your mouth with a mixture of ½ teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water or 1/2 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in 8 ounces of water.
  • Avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol. Avoid alcohol and smoking because they can irritate your mouth and throat.
  • Ask your doctor or nurse about medicine to help prevent or lessen nausea, vomiting, stomach or abdominal pain, headache and/or diarrhea.

Food and Drug Interactions

There are no known interactions of vandetanib with food. This drug may interact with other medicines. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medicines and dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, herbs, and others) that you are currently taking. St. John's Wort may interact with this drug. The safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements and alternative diets are often unknown. Using these might unexpectedly affect your cancer or interfere with your treatment. Until more is known, you should not use dietary supplements or alternative diets without your cancer doctor's advice.

While you are receiving this drug by IV, tell your nurse immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Rash or itching
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Feeling your heart beat rapidly (palpitations)

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor or nurse immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Fever of 100.5 F (38 C) or above
  • Chills
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Chest pain. Call 911 if symptoms last 2 minutes or longer
  • Trouble breathing or pain when inhaling.  Call 911 if there is severe shortness of breath or lack of breathing
  • Seizure
  • Severe headache
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
  • Difficulty speaking or confusion
  • Uncontrolled nausea that prevents you from eating or drinking
  • Vomiting multiple times in one day
  • Diarrhea of several stools a day, or diarrhea with weakness or lightheadedness
  • Severe swelling of your arms, hands, legs or feet

Call your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Numbness or tingling of your palms or soles of your feet, if they become painful, swollen or develop blisters.
  • Rash, sores, reddened areas or itchiness that is unrelieved by prescribed medication
  • Swelling in your legs, ancles or feet
  • Swollen, red, warm or painful leg
  • No bowel movement for 3 days or if you feel uncomfortable
  • Pain , nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea unrelieved by prescribed medications
  • Persistent loss of appetite or weight loss of 5 pounds or more
  • Extreme fatigue or weakness that interferes with daily activities.
  • Weight gain of more than 5 pounds in a week
  • Painful mouth or throat that makes it difficult to eat or drink

New December 2011

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