What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. Not everyone will experience side effects, and which side effects a person experiences cannot be anticipated.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- black, tarry stools or blood in urine
- blurred vision or other visual changes
- change in color, loosening, or loss of fingernails or toenails
- chest pain
- cough or hoarseness
- diarrhea or loose, runny stools
- facial swelling occurring during or shortly after treatment
- fever or chills
- flushing, fast, or irregular heartbeat, or lightheadedness occurring during treatment
- numbness, burning, or tingling in hands or feet
- pain in joint or muscles which may begin 2 to 3 days after treatment
- pinpoint-sized red spots on skin
- redness, heat, irritation or pain, swelling, or lump at the site of injection
- severe skin reaction
- shortness of breath
- skin rash or itching
- temporary loss of hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair about 2 to 3 weeks after treatment
- upset stomach (or nausea) and vomiting
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Be sure to inform your doctor of all your medical conditions before you begin taking a medication. Some conditions can affect how you should take this medication.
Allergic reactions: A severe reaction, including dizziness, rash, swelling of the mouth and throat, and difficulty breathing may be experienced by some people. You may be required to take dexamethasone 20 mg 12 hours and 6 hours before paclitaxel to reduce the chances of having a reaction.
Arrhythmia: People with heart rhythm problems may experience a worsening of these problems due to this medication.
Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, this medication can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). Avoid contact with people with contagious infections and tell your doctor if you begin to notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills.
Risk of bleeding: This medication can reduce the number of platelet cells in the blood. Platelets help the blood to clot, and a shortage could make you bleed more easily. Tell your doctor of any signs that your blood is not clotting as quickly as usual. Such symptoms may include black and tarry stools, blood in the urine, easy bruising, or cuts that do not stop bleeding.
Sensory changes: Some people may experience numbness, tingling, or pain in the arms and legs while receiving this medication. The medication dose may need to be adjusted or discontinued if severe symptoms develop.
Skin reactions: This medication can cause severe skin reactions in some people.
Liver disease: People with impaired liver function may experience increased side effects from paclitaxel.
Pregnancy: This medication may harm the baby if used during pregnancy. Effective birth control should be used while using this medication. This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if paclitaxel passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
An interaction between medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. The following medications may affect the way paclitaxel works, be affected by paclitaxel, or increase the risk of side effects:
- aprepitant
- dalfopristin or quinupristin
- estrogens
- fosphenytoin
- live vaccines
- other cancer medications (e.g., cisplatin, doxorubicin or epirubicin, teniposide, etoposide, vincristine)
- phenytoin
- retinoic acid
- St. John's wort
- testosterone
- valspodar
If you are taking any of these or other medications (including non-prescription, herbal, and supplement products), speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want to change your therapy or may suggest ways of managing any interactions. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your doctor know if you use them. Medications other than those listed above may also interact with this medication.