pazopanib hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Targeted anticancer treatment; multikinase inhibitor
Licensed uses
Advanced renal cell carcinoma and selected advanced soft-tissue sarcomas in adults
Food
Take without food, at least one hour before or two hours after eating
Tablet handling
Swallow whole with water; do not break or crush
Key monitoring
Includes blood pressure, liver function, thyroid function and urine protein
What is pazopanib hydrochloride used for?
UK-licensed uses in adults include:
First-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.
Advanced renal cell carcinoma previously treated with cytokine therapy.
Selected subtypes of advanced soft-tissue sarcoma after chemotherapy for metastatic disease, or after progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. Evidence is limited to certain tumour subtypes.
How does pazopanib hydrochloride work?
Pazopanib blocks several tyrosine kinases, including VEGF, PDGF and c-KIT receptors. This interferes with signals supporting tumour-cell growth and the formation of new blood vessels that supply tumours.
pazopanib hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 200 mg, 400 mg
How to take pazopanib hydrochloride
Follow the oncology team's instructions and the dispensing label.
Take without food, at least one hour before or two hours after a meal.
Swallow tablets whole with water. Breaking or crushing them increases and accelerates absorption.
Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
Do not stop treatment without discussing it with the oncology team.
pazopanib hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal discomfort
- Reduced appetite, weight loss and altered taste
- Tiredness, weakness or headache
- High blood pressure
- Sore mouth
- Rash, hand-foot skin reaction or loss of skin pigment
- Hair thinning or changes in hair colour
- Changes in liver tests, blood counts or urine protein
Get urgent medical advice
- Signs of liver injury, including jaundice, dark urine or right-sided abdominal pain
- Severe hypertension, especially with severe headache, chest pain, confusion or visual change
- Bleeding, blood clots, heart attack or stroke symptoms
- Heart failure or serious rhythm disturbance
- Severe abdominal pain suggesting gastrointestinal perforation or fistula
- Persistent cough or breathlessness suggesting pneumonitis or pneumothorax
- Seizures, confusion or visual disturbance suggesting posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
- Sudden severe chest, abdominal or back pain suggesting aneurysm rupture or artery dissection
pazopanib hydrochloride in pregnancy
Pazopanib is generally avoided during pregnancy because animal studies found reproductive toxicity and the human risk is uncertain. Pregnancy, pregnancy planning and contraception should be discussed with the oncology team; anyone who becomes pregnant during treatment should contact the team promptly. Treatment may also affect fertility.
pazopanib hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding should be stopped during pazopanib treatment. It is unknown whether pazopanib or its metabolites enter human milk, and a risk to the child cannot be excluded.
pazopanib hydrochloride interactions
Check all prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products with the oncology pharmacist or prescriber. Important examples include:
Strong CYP3A4, P-glycoprotein or BCRP inhibitors
Medicines such as clarithromycin, itraconazole, voriconazole, ritonavir or ketoconazole may increase pazopanib exposure and toxicity; alternatives are preferred.
Strong CYP3A4 inducers
Medicines such as rifampicin may reduce pazopanib exposure and should generally be avoided.
Proton-pump inhibitors, H2-receptor antagonists and antacids
Increasing stomach pH can reduce pazopanib absorption; specialist advice is needed about alternatives or administration.
Common questions about pazopanib hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is pazopanib hydrochloride chemotherapy?
It is a targeted anticancer treatment rather than conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. It blocks several tyrosine kinases involved in tumour growth and blood-vessel formation.
Which cancers is pazopanib hydrochloride licensed to treat?
It is licensed for advanced renal cell carcinoma and selected subtypes of advanced soft-tissue sarcoma in adults, subject to the treatment-history criteria in the product licence.
Can pazopanib hydrochloride tablets be crushed or split?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.