This medication is used to treat various types of cancer
(including kidney, thyroid, liver cancer). Cabozantinib belongs to a class
of drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It works by slowing or
stopping the growth of cancer cells.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking cabozantinib and each time you get
a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Since different forms of this medication (capsules,
tablets) are used to treat different types of cancer, do not change forms
of this medication unless directed by your doctor.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your
doctor, usually once daily. Do not take with food. Take it on an empty
stomach. Do not eat for at least 2 hours before your dose and at least 1
hour after taking it.
Swallow this medication whole with a full glass of water
(8 ounces/240 milliliters). Do not open or crush the capsules or
tablets.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice
while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may
do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this
medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response
to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Children's dosage is
based on body size. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all
the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs,
and herbal products). Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often
or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster,
and your risk of side effects will increase.
Dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores,
constipation, stomach pain, tiredness, weakness, weight loss, decreased
appetite, taste changes, hoarseness, and lightening of hair color may
occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or
pharmacist promptly.
Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should
return after treatment has ended.
People using this medication may have serious side
effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor
has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side
effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your
risk.
Cabozantinib may rarely cause serious, possibly fatal,
stomach/abdominal side effects such as a hole in the gut wall (perforation)
or an abnormal tunnel or connection in your body (fistula). It can also
rarely cause serious, possibly fatal, bleeding. Do not take this medication
if you have serious bleeding. Get medical help right away if you have
unusual or easy bruising/bleeding, signs of stomach/intestinal bleeding
(such as bloody/black/tarry stools, stomach/abdominal pain, bloody vomit,
vomit that looks like coffee grounds), fever, chills, sudden/severe back
pain, severe vomiting/diarrhea, or if you are coughing/gagging/choking when
eating or drinking, or coughing up blood.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check
your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high.
Your doctor may control your blood pressure with
medication.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- redness/pain/swelling/blisters on the palms of your hands or
soles of your feet
- frothy urine
- swelling of the hands/feet
- cold intolerance
- slow heartbeat
- signs of a low calcium blood level (such as severe muscle
spasms, mental/mood changes, seizures)
- symptoms of a jawbone problem (such as jaw pain, toothache,
gum sores)
- poor wound healing
- signs of liver problems (such as yellowing eyes/skin, dark
urine)
Cabozantinib may also rarely cause a serious brain
condition. Get medical help right away if you develop headaches, seizures,
vision changes, confusion, or problems thinking.
This medication may rarely cause serious problems from
blood clots (such as heart attack, stroke, blood clots in the lungs or
legs). Get medical help right away if you have:
- chest/jaw/left arm pain
- unusual sweating
- sudden/severe headaches
- weakness on one side of the body
- confusion
- trouble speaking
- sudden vision changes
- shortness of breath/rapid breathing
- sudden dizziness/fainting
- pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf
This medication may lower your ability to fight
infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal)
infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away
if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go
away, fever, chills, cough).
When used with the medication nivolumab, cabozantinib
may cause your adrenal glands not to work well. Tell your doctor right away
if you have any signs of your adrenal glands not working well (such as loss
of appetite, unusual tiredness, weight loss).
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking cabozantinib, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic
reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more
details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- liver disease
- recent bleeding (including coughing up/vomiting blood,
bloody/black/tarry stools)
- high blood pressure
- blood vessel problems (such as an aneurysm or a tear/break in
the aorta or other blood vessels)
- open wounds
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana
(cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do
anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Cabozantinib can make you more likely to get infections
or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an
infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles,
flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for
more details.
Tell your health care professional that you are using
cabozantinib before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact
with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine
inhaled through the nose).
To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured,
use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid
activities such as contact sports.
Pain or sores in the mouth and throat may occur. Brush
your teeth carefully/gently, avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol,
and rinse your mouth often with cool water. It may also be best to eat
soft, moist foods.
Some people taking cabozantinib may have serious jawbone
problems. Your doctor should check your mouth before you start this
medication. Tell your dentist that you are taking this medication before
you have any dental work done. To help prevent jawbone problems, have
regular dental exams and learn how to keep your teeth and gums healthy. If
you have jaw pain, tell your doctor and dentist right away.
Before having any surgery (especially dental work), tell
your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including
prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Your
doctor or dentist may tell you to stop taking cabozantinib at least 3 or 4
weeks before surgery. This medication may cause wounds to heal more slowly.
Follow all instructions about when to stop or restart this
medication.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using cabozantinib.
Cabozantinib may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor should order a pregnancy
test before you start this medication. Ask about reliable forms of birth
control while using this medication and for 4 months after the last dose.
If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and
benefits of this medication.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk.
Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not
recommended while using this drug and for 4 months after the last dose.
Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Other medications can affect the removal of cabozantinib
from your body, which may affect how cabozantinib works. One example is St.
John's wort, among others.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure, mouth
exams, urine protein, liver/thyroid function, calcium blood levels) should
be done before you start taking this medication and while you are taking
it. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more
details.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is less than 12 hours before the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take
your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.