tivozanib hydrochloride monohydrate at a glance
Medicine class
VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Licensed use
Selected adults with advanced renal cell carcinoma
Taking the capsule
Swallow whole with water, with or without food
Key checks
Blood pressure, urine protein, liver and thyroid function; ECG and electrolytes when clinically relevant
What is tivozanib hydrochloride monohydrate used for?
UK-licensed uses represented by the selected product:
First-line treatment of adults with advanced renal cell carcinoma.
Treatment of adults with advanced renal cell carcinoma after progression following one previous cytokine treatment, provided they have not previously received a VEGFR or mTOR pathway inhibitor.
How does tivozanib hydrochloride monohydrate work?
Tivozanib selectively blocks VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. This reduces the formation and permeability of tumour blood vessels, restricting the blood supply that supports tumour growth.
tivozanib hydrochloride monohydrate preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 890 micrograms, 1340 micrograms
How to take tivozanib hydrochloride monohydrate
Follow the oncology team's written plan.
Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water.
Take it with or without food.
Do not open the capsule.
Do not take an extra capsule after a missed capsule or vomiting.
tivozanib hydrochloride monohydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- High blood pressure
- Hoarse voice
- Tiredness or weakness
- Diarrhoea, nausea or abdominal pain
- Reduced appetite or weight loss
- Headache
- Shortness of breath or cough
- Sore mouth
- Redness, soreness or blistering of the hands or feet
- Back or other musculoskeletal pain
Get urgent medical advice
- Persistent severe hypertension or an intense headache or visual disturbance
- Chest pain, stroke symptoms or signs of a blood clot
- Breathlessness, swelling or other possible signs of heart failure
- Significant bleeding
- Seizure, confusion, severe headache or visual loss suggesting posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
- Severe abdominal pain suggesting gastrointestinal perforation or pancreatitis
- Marked swelling or foamy urine suggesting severe protein loss
- Sudden severe abdominal or back pain associated with aneurysm or artery dissection
tivozanib hydrochloride monohydrate in pregnancy
Tivozanib should not be used during pregnancy because animal studies indicate potential harm to the developing baby and human data are lacking. Effective contraception is required for patients and partners who could become pregnant. Hormonal contraception may be less reliable, so a barrier method should also be used. Contact the oncology team promptly if pregnancy occurs or is suspected, and discuss fertility preservation before treatment where relevant.
tivozanib hydrochloride monohydrate while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking tivozanib. It is unknown whether it enters human milk, but serious effects in a breastfed infant are possible. Discuss feeding plans with the oncology and maternity teams.
tivozanib hydrochloride monohydrate interactions
Give the oncology and pharmacy teams a complete list of prescribed, non-prescribed and herbal products.
St John’s wort
Contraindicated because enzyme induction may reduce tivozanib exposure; its effect can persist after stopping.
Strong CYP3A4 inducers, such as rifampicin
May shorten tivozanib exposure and potentially reduce its effect; specialist review is required.
Rosuvastatin and other clinically sensitive oral BCRP substrates
Tivozanib may alter intestinal transport, so co-administration requires caution and medicine-specific planning.
Common questions about tivozanib hydrochloride monohydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can tivozanib be taken with food?
Yes. The capsule may be taken with or without food.
Can tivozanib capsules be opened or crushed?
No. Swallow the capsule whole with water and do not open it.
Why is blood-pressure monitoring needed?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.