ABRAXANE®
for Injectable Suspension

[generic name = (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension)
(albumin-bound)]

WHAT IS ABRAXANE?

ABRAXANE is a prescription cancer medicine. It is injected into a vein and it is used to treat advanced breast cancer.

WHAT IS CANCER?

Under normal conditions, the cells in your body divide and grow in an orderly, controlled way. Cell division and growth are necessary for the human body to perform its functions and to repair itself, when necessary. Cancer cells are different from normal cells because they are not able to control their own growth. The reasons for this abnormal growth are not yet fully understood. A tumor is a mass of unhealthy cells that are dividing and growing fast and in an uncontrolled way. When a tumor invades surrounding healthy body tissue it is known as a malignant tumor. A malignant tumor can spread (metastasize) from its original site to other parts of the body if not found and treated early.

HOW DOES ABRAXANE WORK?

ABRAXANE is a type of medical treatment called chemotherapy. The purpose of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells or prevent their growth.

All cells, whether they are healthy cells or cancer cells, go through several stages of growth. During one of the stages, the cell starts to divide. ABRAXANE may stop the cells from dividing and growing, so they eventually die. In addition, normal cells may also be affected by ABRAXANE causing some of the side effects. (see WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF ABRAXANE? below).

WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE ABRAXANE?

ABRAXANE should not be given to patients with dangerously low white blood cell counts.

HOW IS ABRAXANE® GIVEN?

ABRAXANE is injected into a vein [intravenous (I.V.) infusion] over 30 minutes.

WHAT PREMEDICATION IS REQUIRED WITH ABRAXANE?

While reactions can occur to any medication, severe allergic reactions to ABRAXANE are uncommon and premedication is not required. However, you should make your doctor aware of any allergies you may have so he/she can determine the course of action required.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF ABRAXANE?

Most patients taking ABRAXANE will experience side effects, although it is not always possible to tell whether such effects are caused by ABRAXANE, another medicine they may be taking, or the cancer itself. Important side effects are described below; however, some patients may experience other side effects that are less common. Report any unusual symptoms to your doctor.

Important side effects observed in studies of patients taking ABRAXANE were as follows:

Hair Loss: Complete hair loss, or alopecia, almost always occurs with ABRAXANE. This usually involves the loss of eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair, as well as scalp hair. It can occur suddenly after treatment has begun, but usually happens 14 to 21 days after treatment.

Hair generally grows back after you&'ve finished your ABRAXANE treatment.

Infections Due to Low White Blood Cell Count: Among the bacterial infections are white blood cells. Between your ABRAXANE treatment cycles, you will often have blood tests to check your white blood cell counts. ABRAXANE usually causes a brief drop in white blood cells. If you have a fever (temperature above 100. infection, tell your doctor right away. Sometimes serious infections develop that require treatment in the hospital with antibiotics. Serious illness or death could result if such infections are not treated when white blood cell counts are low.

Numbness, Tingling, or Burning in the Hands and/or Feet (Neuropathy): These symptoms occur often with ABRAXANE® and usually get better or go away without medication within three weeks of interrupting treatment. Be sure to tell your doctor about any numbness, tingling or burning that you have in your hands or feet so that he/she can decide the best approach for relief of your symptoms. Sometimes it is necessary to interrupt treatment with ABRAXANE until these symptoms improve. After improvement, treatment can be restarted at a lower dose.

Fatigue and Weakness: ABRAXANE may cause asthenia, fatigue, weakness, lethargy and malaise. These side effects are usually self-limited and do not require dose modification or interruption.

Low Red Blood Cell Count: Red blood cells deliver oxygen to tissues throughout all parts of the body and take carbon dioxide from the tissues by using a protein called hemoglobin. A lowering of the volume of red blood cells may occur following ABRAXANE treatment causing anemia. Some patients may need a blood transfusion to treat the anemia. Patients can feel tired, tire easily, appear pale, and become short of breath. Contact your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms following ABRAXANE treatment.

Mouth or Lip Sores (Mucositis): Some patients develop redness and/or sores in the mouth or on the lips. These symptoms might occur a few days after the ABRAXANE treatment and usually decrease or disappear within one week. Talk with your doctor about proper mouth care and other ways to prevent or reduce your chances of developing mucositis.

Joint and Muscle Pain: You may get joint and muscle pain a few days after your ABRAXANE treatment. These symptoms usually disappear in a few days. Although pain medicine may not be necessary, tell your doctor if you are uncomfortable.

Stomach Upset and Diarrhea: Some patients experience nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea following ABRAXANE use. If you experience nausea or stomach upset, tell your doctor because medicines can be given that almost always reduce or eliminate these symptoms.

Diarrhea will usually disappear without treatment; however, if you experience severe abdominal or stomach area pain and/or severe diarrhea, tell your doctor right away.

Heart and Blood Vessel (Cardiovascular) Effects: ABRAXANE® may cause a drop in heart rate (bradycardia) and low blood pressure (hypotension). The patient usually does not notice these changes. These changes usually do not require treatment. You should notify your doctor if you have a history of heart disease.

Irritation at the Injection Site: ABRAXANE may cause irritation at the site where it enters the vein. Reactions may include discomfort, redness, swelling, inflammation (of the surrounding skin or of the vein itself), and ulceration (open sores). These reactions are usually caused by the I.V. (intravenous) fluid leaking into the surrounding area. If you notice anything unusual at the site of the injection (needle), either during or after treatment, tell your doctor right away.

Talk with your doctor or other healthcare professional to discuss ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Because this leaflet does not include all possible side effects that can occur with ABRAXANE, it is important to talk with your doctor about other possible side effects.

CAN I TAKE ABRAXANE IF I AM PREGNANT OR NURSING A BABY?

ABRAXANE could harm the fetus when given to a pregnant woman. Women should avoid becoming pregnant while they are undergoing treatment with ABRAXANE. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking ABRAXANE.

Men should be advised not to father a child while receiving treatment with ABRAXANE.

Because studies have shown the active agent (paclitaxel) in ABRAXANE to be present in the breast milk of animals receiving the active agent, it may be present in human breast milk as well. Therefore, nursing a baby while taking ABRAXANE is NOT recommended. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, it is recommended that nursing be discontinued when receiving ABRAXANE therapy.

This medicine was prescribed for your particular condition. This summary does not include everything there is to know about ABRAXANE® . Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information Leaflet. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information about ABRAXANE, your doctor and pharmacist have the complete prescribing information upon which this guide is based. You may want to read it and discuss it with your doctor. Remember, no written summary can replace careful discussion with your doctor.

This Patient Information Leaflet has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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