A multikinase inhibitor for kidney cancer and soft tissue sarcoma
Pazopanib
A targeted cancer tablet used for advanced kidney cancer and some soft tissue sarcomas.
What is Pazopanib?
Pazopanib is a specialist cancer medicine used to treat advanced kidney cancer and certain soft tissue sarcomas. It is a multikinase inhibitor, a type of targeted treatment that blocks signals cancers use to grow and to build their blood supply. It is taken by mouth on an empty stomach. Its most important safety concern is serious liver harm, which can rarely be life-threatening, so regular liver blood tests are essential. It can also raise blood pressure, affect the heart's rhythm and the heart's pumping, and increase the risk of bleeding. It can harm a developing baby, so reliable contraception is needed.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Pazopanib — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Pazopanib is a targeted cancer medicine used to treat advanced kidney cancer (renal cell cancer) and certain soft tissue sarcomas. It is one of a group called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, sometimes called multikinase inhibitors, which block several growth signals at once, including those a tumour uses to build new blood vessels. It is taken by mouth as a tablet, usually once a day on an empty stomach, and is prescribed and closely monitored by a cancer specialist team because of its effects on the liver, blood pressure and bleeding.
How it works
Tumours rely on internal signals to grow and on building new blood vessels to feed themselves. Pazopanib blocks several of the enzymes (kinases) that carry these signals, including those involved in forming a tumour's blood supply, which slows the cancer's growth. Because these same signals are used elsewhere in the body, blocking them can raise blood pressure, affect wound healing and the heart, and increase the risk of bleeding. It also passes through the liver, where it can sometimes cause significant harm, which is why liver function is checked regularly throughout treatment.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist cancer medicine used in the UK to treat advanced kidney cancer and certain soft tissue sarcomas, taken as a daily tablet.
Practical use
How to take Pazopanib
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth once a day on an empty stomach, away from food, as taking it with food can raise its levels too much.
- Swallow the tablets whole with water; do not crush or break them.
- Keep all your liver blood test and blood pressure appointments, as both are checked regularly.
- Report yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, unusual tiredness or tummy pain straight away, as these can signal liver harm.
- Tell your team before any planned surgery, as it is usually paused, and use reliable contraception during treatment.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Pazopanib
Advantages
- Can slow the growth of advanced kidney cancer and certain soft tissue sarcomas.
- Taken by mouth at home rather than as an infusion.
- A targeted treatment that blocks several of the cancer's growth and blood-supply signals.
Disadvantages
- Can cause serious liver harm, which is rarely life-threatening, so frequent liver tests are essential.
- Commonly raises blood pressure and can affect the heart's rhythm and pumping.
- Increases the risk of bleeding, can affect wound healing, and can harm a developing baby.
Practical use
Good to know
The single most important point with pazopanib is the risk of serious liver harm, which can occasionally be severe or even life-threatening; you will have regular liver blood tests, and any yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, unusual tiredness or tummy pain should be reported urgently. It is taken on an empty stomach, away from food, because taking it with food can raise its levels too much. It commonly raises blood pressure, which will be checked regularly and may need treating. It can affect the heart's electrical rhythm (the QT interval) and the heart's ability to pump, so the team may carry out heart checks. It also increases the risk of bleeding and can affect wound healing, so it is usually paused around surgery. It can harm a developing baby, so reliable contraception is needed during treatment.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to pazopanib should not take it.
- It is used with great caution, or avoided, in people with significant liver problems.
- It is not used in pregnancy because it can harm a developing baby, and breastfeeding is avoided during treatment.
- It is used with caution in people with heart-rhythm problems, uncontrolled high blood pressure or a high bleeding risk.
Monitoring
- Regular liver blood tests throughout treatment, as serious liver harm can occur.
- Regular blood pressure checks, and heart checks where appropriate.
- Watching for bleeding, and reviewing how well the cancer is responding.
Side effects
- Changes in liver blood tests, which can occasionally signal serious liver harm.
- Raised blood pressure, diarrhoea, nausea, tiredness and a change in hair colour.
- Bleeding problems, and changes in the heart's rhythm (the QT interval) or pumping.
- Rarely but seriously, severe liver damage, a tear in the gut, or blood clots, which need urgent medical attention.
Key interactions
- Some medicines and grapefruit can raise pazopanib levels, increasing side effects, so tell your team everything you take.
- Other medicines can lower its levels and make it less effective, so these are reviewed by your team.
- Medicines that affect the heart's QT interval, or that increase bleeding risk such as anticoagulants, need careful review.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Pazopanib: frequently asked questions
What is pazopanib used for?
It is used to treat advanced kidney cancer and certain soft tissue sarcomas, by blocking several of the signals cancers use to grow and build a blood supply.
Why are liver blood tests so important?
Pazopanib can cause serious liver harm that is occasionally life-threatening, so regular liver tests catch problems early; report yellowing of the skin or eyes or dark urine urgently.
Why must I take it on an empty stomach?
Taking it with food can raise its levels in the body too much, so it is taken away from food for safe and steady absorption.
Does it affect blood pressure?
Yes, it commonly raises blood pressure, which is why your blood pressure is checked regularly and may need treating during treatment.
Is it safe around surgery?
It increases bleeding risk and can affect wound healing, so it is usually paused before and after planned surgery on your team's advice.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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