Paclitaxel (Intravenous Route)

Side Effects

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

1. Black or tarry stools
2. blurred vision
3. burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
4. confusion
5. cough or hoarseness with fever or chills
6. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
7. feeling of warmth
8. fever or chills
9. lower back or side pain
10. painful or difficult urination
11. pale skin
12. redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
13. shortness of breath
14. skin rash or itching
15. sore throat
16. sweating
17. troubled breathing with exertion
18. ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
19. unsteadiness or awkwardness
20. unusual bleeding or bruising
21. unusual tiredness or weakness
22. weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Less common

1. Blood in the urine or stools
2. difficult or labored breathing
3. pinpoint red spots on the skin
4. shortness of breath (severe)
5. slow heartbeat
6. tightness in the chest
7. wheezing

Incidence not known

1. Anxiety
2. blue lips, fingernails, or skin
3. difficult or troubled breathing
4. fainting
5. fast heartbeat
6. irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
7. sudden shortness of breath

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

1. Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
2. cracked lips
3. diarrhea
4. difficulty with swallowing
5. hair loss
6. nausea or vomiting
7. numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
8. pain in the joints or muscles, especially in the arms or legs
9. thinning of the hair

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Precautions

Portions of this document last updated: July 01, 2024

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