Side Effects of Protein-Bound Paclitaxel

Information on Protein-bound Paclitaxel

An Introduction to Side Effects of Protein-Bound Paclitaxel

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with protein-bound paclitaxel (Abraxane^®); however, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate protein-bound paclitaxel quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.

(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with protein-bound paclitaxel. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of protein-bound paclitaxel side effects with you.)

Common Side Effects of Protein-Bound Paclitaxel

Protein-bound paclitaxel has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are documented and are then compared to side effects that occur in another group of people not taking the drug. In these studies, the most common side effects of protein-bound paclitaxel included:

Hair loss -- in up to 90 percent of people (see Abraxane and Hair Loss)
Neutropenia (low levels of a certain of white blood cells called neutrophils) -- up to 80 percent
Nerve pain or unusual sensations, such as burning or tingling -- up to 71 percent (see Nerve and Muscle Problems During Chemotherapy)
Changes in heart rhythm seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG) -- up to 60 percent
Weakness -- up to 47 percent
Anemia -- up to 33 percent (see Chemotherapy and Anemia)
Nausea -- up to 30 percent (see Chemotherapy and Nausea).

Other common protein-bound side effects of paclitaxel, occurring in 2 percent to 27 percent of people, included:

Low platelets in the blood (see Blood Clotting Problems and Chemotherapy)
Infections (see Chemotherapy and Infections)
Bleeding
Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Cough
Difficulty breathing
Fluid retention or water weight gain (Fluid Retention During Chemotherapy)
Vomiting
Diarrhea (see Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea)
Mouth sores or sores in the digestive tract (see Mouth and Gum Problems During Chemotherapy).

(Side Effects of Protein-Bound Paclitaxel Continued: Page 2)