The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Low blood cell counts (up to 74%)
- Feeling very tired (59%)
- Nausea (54%)
- Numbness or tingling (54%)
- Hair loss (50%)
- Swelling in the ankles and feet (46%)
- Diarrhea (44%)
- Fever (41%)
- Vomiting (36%)
- Not feeling hungry (36%)
- Rash (30%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Dehydration
- Weakness
- Changes in taste
- Headache
- Cough
- Mouth sores
- Nose bleeds
- Depression
- Joint and muscle pain
- General pain
- Urinary tract infections
Please note: Side effect information is from studies of people using paclitaxel (Abraxane) with gemcitabine (Gemzar) for pancreatic cancer.
Abraxane serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Lower blood cell counts: unusual bleeding or bruising, fever
- Severe infections: fever, trouble catching your breath, pain in the abdomen
- Serious allergic reactions: swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, difficulty swallowing, rash, itching, trouble breathing
- Lung inflammation: cough, trouble catching your breath
Source: DailyMed
The following Abraxane side effects have also been reported
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
Black, tarry stools
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
blurred or double vision
chills
loss of taste
lower back or side pain
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
rapid weight gain
sore mouth, tongue, or throat
tightness in the chest
tingling of the hands or feet
troubled breathing with exertion
ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual weight gain or loss
unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
blood in the urine or stools
burning, tingling, numbness or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
confusion
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fast, pounding, slow, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
general feeling of discomfort or illness
inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
inability to speak
pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
pinpoint red spots on the skin
rapid, shallow breathing
sensation of pins and needles
severe, sudden headache
skin itching, rash, or redness
slurred or slow speech
stabbing pain
sudden loss of coordination
sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
sudden, unexplained shortness of breath
sweating
swelling of the face, throat, or tongue
thickening of bronchial secretions
trouble thinking or walking
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
Cracked lips
decreased appetite
difficulty with moving
headache
lack or loss of strength
loss of hair
muscle pain or stiffness
pain in the joints
swelling
vomiting
Less common
Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, a 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
Rare
Nail changes
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.
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