Jevtana : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More
IMPORTANT WARNING:
Jevtana (Cabazitaxel injection) can cause a serious or life-threatening decrease in the number of white blood cells (a type of blood cell necessary to fight infection) in the blood. This increases your risk of developing a serious infection. Tell your doctor if you are 65 or older, if you have or have ever had a low white blood cell count along with a fever, if you have been treated with radiation therapy, and if you are unable to eat healthy. diet. Your doctor will order laboratory tests to check the number of white blood cells in your blood before and during your treatment. If you have a low number of white blood cells, your doctor may reduce your dose or interrupt or delay your treatment. Your doctor may also prescribe medicine to help prevent life-threatening complications if your white blood cells drop. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: sore throat, fever (temperature above 100.4 ° F), chills, muscle aches, cough, burning with urination, or other signs of infection.
Jevtana can cause serious or life-threatening allergic reactions, especially when you receive your first two infusions of Jevtana. Your doctor will give you medicine to prevent an allergic reaction at least 30 minutes before you receive Jevtana. You should receive your infusion at a medical facility where you can be treated quickly if you have a reaction. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to Jevtana or polysorbate 80 (an ingredient found in some foods and medicines). Ask your doctor if you are not sure whether a food or medicine to which you are allergic contains polysorbate 80. If you experience an allergic reaction to Jevtana, it may start a few minutes after the infusion starts and you may experience the following symptoms: rash, red skin, itching, dizziness, fainting or tightness of the throat. Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests to check your body’s response to Jevtana.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking Jevtana.
Why is this medication prescribed?
Jevtana (Cabazitaxel injection) is used together with prednisone to treat prostate cancer (cancer of a male reproductive organ) that has already been treated with other medications. Jevtana is in a class of medications called microtubule inhibitors. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.
How should this medicine be used?
Jevtana (Cabazitaxel injection) comes as a liquid that a doctor or nurse must administer intravenously (into a vein) for 1 hour in a medical facility. It is usually given once every 3 weeks.
You will need to take prednisone every day during your treatment with Jevtana. It is important that you take prednisone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have missed doses or have not taken prednisone as prescribed.
Your doctor may need to stop or delay your treatment or decrease your dose if you experience certain serious side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you feel during your treatment.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before receiving Jevtana,
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Jevtana, any other medications, polysorbate 80, or any of the other ingredients in Jevtana. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin); antifungals such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), and voriconazole (Vfend); antiplatelet drugs; aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); clarithromycin (Biaxin); certain medications for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) such as atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Invirase); certain seizure medications, such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and phenobarbital; nefazodone; rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifapentine (Priftin); rifampicin (Rimactin, in Rifamate, in Rifater); steroid medication; and telithromycin (Ketek). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you closely for side effects. Many other medications can also interact with Jevtana, so be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- Tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s wort.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease. Your doctor may tell you not to receive Jevtana.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease or anemia (a lower number of red blood cells than normal).
- You should know that Jevtana is generally used in men with prostate cancer. If used by pregnant women, Jevtana may harm the fetus. Women who are or may become pregnant or breastfeeding should not receive Jevtana. If you receive Jevtana while you are pregnant, call your doctor. You must use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment with Jevtana.
- If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving Jevtana.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Jevtana may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- heartburn
- change in ability to taste food
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- swelling of the inside of the mouth
- headache
- joint or back pain
- numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
- hair loss
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
- nausea
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- constipation
- swelling of the face, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- decreased urination
- blood in the urine
- blood in stool
- changes in stool color
- dry mouth, dark urine, decreased sweating, dry skin, and other signs of dehydration
- irregular heartbeat
- shortness of breath
- pale skin
- tiredness or weakness
- unusual bruising or bleeding
Jevtana may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medicine.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
In case of 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 collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or cannot wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
- sore throat, cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, burning on urination, or other signs of infection
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- pale skin
- shortness of breath
- excessive tiredness or weakness
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
What other information should I know?
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about Jevtana.
It is important to keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you every time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.
Brand Names
- Jevtana®
Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.