Paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) injection must be given in a hospital or medical facility under the supervision of a doctor who is experienced in giving chemotherapy medications for cancer.
Paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) injection may cause a large decrease in the number of white blood cells (a type of blood cell that is needed to fight infection) in your blood. This increases the risk that you will develop a serious infection. You should not receive paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) if you already have a low number of white blood cells. Your doctor will order laboratory tests before and during your treatment to check the number of white blood cells in your blood. Your doctor will delay or interrupt your treatment if the number of white blood cells is too low. Call your doctor immediately if you develop a temperature greater than 100.4 °F (38 °C); a sore throat; cough; chills; difficult, frequent, or painful urination; or other signs of infection during your treatment with paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) injection.
Paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) injection may cause serious or life-threatening allergic reactions. You will receive certain medications to help prevent an allergic reaction before you receive each dose of the medication. Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: rash; hives; itching; swelling of the eyes, face, throat, lips, tongue, hands, arms, feet, or ankles; difficulty breathing or swallowing; flushing; fast heartbeat; dizziness; or fainting.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests to check your body’s response to paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil).
Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving paclitaxel (with polyoxyethylated castor oil) injection.
The Basics
Paclitaxel (brand name-Taxol) is an FDA-approved treatment for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is used by itself or in combination with other chemotherapies (like cisplatin or carboplatin) and immunotherapies (like pembrolizumab).
Paclitaxel falls in the class of miotic inhibitors. It stops the growth and spread of cancer cells. Let us walk you through key things you need to know about paclitaxel.
How should I take paclitaxel (Taxol)?
Paclitaxel comes as an injection given into a vein over 60 minutes by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. The treatment is given every 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the type of cancer and your treatment regimen.
Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with avelumab injection. You can help them by tracking your side effects in Ankr.
You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website to obtain the Medication Guide.
What are the side effects of paclitaxel (Taxol)?
Common side effects
- pain, redness, swelling, or sores at the site of injection
- numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
- muscle pain
- joint pain (arthralgia)
- excessive tiredness
- nausea
- vomiting (emesis)
- pale skin
- diarrhoea (loose stools)
- sores in the mouth or on the lips
- hair loss (alopecia)
- constipation
- changes in taste or appetite
- low white blood cell count (increasing the risk of infection)
- low red blood cell count (anemia)
Serious side effects
- shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- chest pain
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- kidney problems
- Liver problems
Use the Ankr app or the myAnkr website help you track associated symptoms and decrease the side effects of paclitaxel (Taxol).
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What special precautions should I follow?
Before receiving paclitaxel (Taxol)
- tell your doctor about your allergies
- tell your doctor about other intakes, including alcohol and polyoxyethylated castor oil.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or heart disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving paclitaxel. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods you can use during treatment.
While you are on paclitaxel (Taxol)
- if you become pregnant while receiving paclitaxel, call your doctor. Paclitaxel may harm the fetus.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed while receiving paclitaxel.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
I forgot a dose. What should I do?
If you miss an appointment to receive paclitaxel, call your doctor as soon as possible.
In case of an emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- pale skin
- shortness of breath
- excessive tiredness
- sore throat
- fever
- chills
- other signs of infection
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- numbness, burning, or tingling of the hands and feet
- mucositis (Mouth sore)
Keep track of the associated conditions using ankr app and ankr free platform.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
Brand names
- Taxol
Last updated – 03/17/2023; FDA update-08/09/2020, AR
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