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Inlyta

axitinib
Used for Renal Cancer

Inlyta (axitinib) is a targeted anticancer medication that’s used for treating advanced kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma). Depending on your situation, it can be taken by itself or together with immunotherapy medications like Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Bavencio (avelumab). Inlyta (axitinib) is taken by mouth twice a day. It can commonly cause side effects like diarrhea, tiredness, and high blood pressure.

Reviewed by:
reviewerSonja Jacobsen, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP
reviewerCydnee Ng, PharmD
Last reviewed on August 29, 2023
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What is Inlyta (axitinib)?

What is Inlyta (axitinib) used for?

How Inlyta (axitinib) works

Inlyta (axitinib) is a type of targeted anticancer therapy known as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). More specifically, it’s considered a VEGFR inhibitor. This medication targets and blocks VEGFR proteins in cancer cells that are involved in providing blood supply to the tumor. By blocking these proteins, Inlyta (axitinib) prevents blood vessels from forming and supplying blood to the tumor. This helps to slow and stop cancer growth.

Drug facts

Common BrandsInlyta
Drug ClassVEGFR inhibitor
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Side effects of Inlyta (axitinib)

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

The following side effects were reported by people taking Inlyta (axitinib) by itself. Inlyta (axitinib) is often given along with other anticancer medications, so side effects might differ.

  • Diarrhea (55%)
  • High blood pressure (40%)
  • Tiredness (39%)
  • Less appetite (34%)
  • Nausea (32%)
  • Hoarseness (31%)
  • Hand-foot skin reaction (27%)
  • Weight loss (25%)
  • Vomiting (24%)
  • Weakness (21%)
  • Constipation (20%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Inflammation in the mouth or mouth sores
  • Taste changes
  • Upset stomach
  • Belly pain
  • Joint pain
  • Pain in arms or legs
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • Rash
  • Dry skin
  • Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels)

Inlyta (axitinib) serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Dangerously high blood pressure: headache, confusion, blurry vision, chest pain, nausea, vomiting
  • Blood clot in the lungs: cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, racing heart
  • Blood clot in the leg: leg cramp, swelling, pain, muscle tightness
  • Stroke: sudden numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face; confusion; headache; trouble seeing or walking
  • Heart problems (e.g., heart attack, heart failure): shortness of breath, chest pain, sweating, weakness, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, swelling in feet and legs, sudden weight gain
  • Serious bleeding: unusual bleeding, bleeding that’s difficult to stop, easy bruising, blood in urine or stool, black or tarry stool, vomiting blood, stomach cramps
  • Tears in the gut: fever, chills, intense stomach pain or cramps, bloating, vomiting blood, red or black stool

Source: DailyMed

The following Inlyta (axitinib) 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Bleeding gums

bloody nose

blurred vision

clay colored stools

cloudy urine

confusion

constipation

coughing up blood

decreased urination

depressed mood

difficult or labored breathing

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness

dry mouth

dry skin and hair

fainting

feeling cold

fever

hair loss

headache

hoarseness or husky voice

incoherent speech

increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding

increased urination

itching skin or rash

lightheadedness

loss of appetite

metallic taste

muscle cramps, stiffness, or weakness

nausea

nervousness

nosebleeds

paralysis

pounding in the ears

rapid breathing

red or black, tarry stools

red or dark brown urine

redness, swelling, or pain of the skin

scaling of the skin on the hands and feet

slow or fast heartbeat

stomach pain or tenderness

sunken eyes

swelling of the feet or lower legs

thirst

tightness in the chest

tingling of the hands and feet

ulceration of the skin

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

weight gain or loss

wrinkled skin

yellow eyes or skin

Less common

Anxiety

bleeding from the gums or nose

bleeding from the rectum

bloody, black or tarry stools

change in vision

chest pain or discomfort

extreme drowsiness

eye pain

heartburn

inability to speak

indigestion

numbness or tingling in the face, arms, hands, or legs

pain in the chest, groin, or legs

pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck

pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg

pale skin

ringing in the ears

seizures

sensitivity to heat

severe headaches of sudden onset

severe stomach pain, cramping, or burning

slurred speech

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth

sudden loss of coordination

sudden onset of slurred speech

sudden vision changes

sweating

temporary blindness

trouble sleeping

trouble speaking, thinking, or walking

troubled breathing with exertion

uncomfortable swelling around the anus

unusual bleeding or bruising

vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds

weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body

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

Belching

change in taste

cough

cracked lips

decreased appetite

diarrhea

difficulty with moving

joint pain or swelling

lack or loss of strength

loss of taste

muscle aches or pain

pain in the arms or legs

sore throat

stomach discomfort or upset

swelling or inflammation of the mouth

upper stomach pain

voice changes

Less common

Burning sensation of the tongue

continuous ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears

flushing or redness of the skin

hearing loss

thinning of the hair

unusually warm skin

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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Pros and cons of Inlyta (axitinib)

Pros

  • Can take with other anticancer medications in certain situations
  • Taken by mouth (not an injection)
  • Dosage can be adjusted up or down based on how well you tolerate the medication

Cons

  • Must take twice a day
  • Can cause serious bleeding and heart problems
  • Not safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding
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Pharmacist tips for Inlyta (axitinib)

pharmacist
  • Take Inlyta (axitinib) tablets twice a day, about 12 hours apart, with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Don’t crush, break, or chew it.
  • If you miss a dose of Inlyta (axitinib), take the next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Don’t double the dose to make it up.
  • Make sure to check your blood pressure regularly while you’re taking Inlyta (axitinib). This medication can raise your blood pressure. If it’s consistently higher than usual, you might need to take blood pressure medications to help manage your blood pressure.
  • Let your healthcare provider know if you’re planning to have surgery. Because Inlyta (axitinib) can slow wound healing and cause bleeding, you should stop taking the medication at least a few days before a planned surgery. You won’t be able to restart it until a couple weeks after surgery or until your surgical wounds fully heal. Your provider can give you specific instructions on when to stop and restart treatment.
  • Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while you’re taking Inlyta (axitinib). Grapefruit might raise the levels of the medication in your body, which can lead to more side effects.
  • Review your medication and supplement list with your provider before you start and while you’re taking Inlyta (axitinib) to make sure they can all be taken together safely. Inlyta (axitinib) can interact with other medications and supplements. For example, taking medications like St. John's wort or rifampin with Inlyta (axitinib) could cause the cancer medication to not work as well.
  • If you’re a woman who can have children, use reliable birth control during treatment and for at least 1 week after the last dose. Taking Inlyta (axitinib) can harm your unborn baby if it’s taken during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while using this medication, tell your provider right away.
  • If you’re a man with a partner who can get pregnant, make sure to use a condom during sex while you’re getting treated and until at least 1 week after the last dose. It’s possible that Inlyta (axitinib) can cause birth defects in your partner’s unborn baby if they become pregnant while you’re taking this cancer medication.
  • Based on studies done on animals, Inlyta (axitinib) might affect fertility, or your ability to have a baby. If this is a concern for you or your partner, speak with your provider.
  • Ask your provider or pharmacist about the best way to handle and throw away Inlyta (axitinib) safely. Anticancer medications can be very harmful to people who handle or come into contact with them.
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Common questions about Inlyta (axitinib)

Yes, it’s possible that your Inlyta (axitinib) dose can change while you’re taking the medication. The typical starting dose is 5 mg by mouth twice daily. But your provider might adjust your dosage up or down depending on how well the medication is working for your cancer and whether you have side effects. If you experience side effects like high blood pressure or bleeding, your provider might need to lower your Inlyta (axitinib) dosage to 2 mg or 3 mg twice daily to manage these side effects. On the other hand, if you’re doing well with treatment after taking it for 2 weeks or more, it's possible that your provider will raise your Inlyta (axitinib) dosage up to 7 mg or 10 mg twice daily. Studies suggest that higher doses of Inlyta (axitinib) might work better to treat your kidney cancer.

If you get diarrhea during treatment with Inlyta (axitinib), make sure to stay well hydrated. This helps prevent dehydration. But avoid sugary sports drinks because they can make diarrhea worse. Also avoid foods that can irritate your stomach like spicy or greasy foods. It's best to try to eat bland foods like applesauce, rice, and toast. Your provider might recommend over-the-counter diarrhea medications, like loperamide (Imodium A-D), to help. If you have severe diarrhea, you might need to stop treatment temporarily or even permanently.

Hand-foot skin reaction is a reaction to Inlyta (axitinib) that causes reddening, swelling, and peeling of the skin on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. Some ways to help prevent hand-foot skin reaction is limiting exposure of your hands and feet to hot water and avoiding too much rubbing or exercise to the hands and feet. You can also apply moisturizing creams. It’s important to follow these preventative measures because this skin reaction can be painful and come with tingling, numbness, and soreness of the hands and feet. If you experience a skin reaction while you’re taking Inlyta (axitinib), let your provider know so they can suggest ways to manage the reaction.

You should take Inlyta (axitinib) as instructed by your provider. How long you need treatment with Inlyta (axitinib) depends on several factors. These factors include how well the medication is working to treat your cancer, whether you have side effects from it, and how severe they are. If you have serious side effects like heart failure and extremely high blood pressure, you might need to stop taking Inlyta (axitinib). Don’t stop taking Inlyta (axitinib) without discussing with your provider first.

It isn’t recommended to breastfeed while you’re taking Inlyta (axitinib). We don’t know whether the medication can pass into human breast milk, but there’s a risk of serious harm to nursing infants if it does. Because of this risk, you shouldn’t breastfeed while you’re taking Inlyta (axitinib) and until 2 weeks after your last dose. Talk with your provider about other ways to feed your baby during treatment.

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Risks and warnings for Inlyta (axitinib)

Inlyta (axitinib) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

High blood pressure

Inlyta (axitinib) can commonly cause high blood pressure. It's usually mild, but can become more severe, leading to an emergency situation. Elevations in blood pressure most commonly start within the first month of treatment. For this reason, you should check your blood pressure regularly. If you develop high blood pressure while you’re taking Inlyta (axitinib), you might need to take blood pressure medication(s). If it’s severe, it’s possible that you’ll need to stop taking Inlyta (axitinib).

Blood clots

Although rare, blood clots in your veins or arteries can happen while you’re taking Inlyta (axitinib). Some blood clots can become fatal. Notify your provider right away and seek medical attention if you notice any signs or symptoms of a blood clot like shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling and pain in the legs, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of your body, or trouble speaking. If you develop a blood clot while you’re taking Inlyta (axitinib), your provider might recommend that you stop taking the medication altogether.

Serious bleeding

Inlyta (axitinib) can raise the risk of bleeding. In clinical trials, bleeding was rarely serious and fatal. These serious cases included blood in the urine, coughing up blood, stomach bleeding, and bleeding in the brain. Tell your provider as soon as possible if you have signs or symptoms of bleeding, like frequent nosebleeds, coughing or vomiting blood, blood in your urine or stool, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or abnormal bruising. Depending on how severe your bleed is, your provider might lower your dosage or recommend that you stop taking the medication completely.

Serious heart problems

Risk factors: High blood pressure | High cholesterol | Diabetes

Though uncommon, Inlyta (axitinib) can cause serious heart problems, including heart failure. In addition, studies showed that taking Inlyta (axitinib) with Bavencio (avelumab) can cause other severe and sometimes fatal heart problems, like heart attack, in addition to heart failure. Because of these risks, your provider might monitor your heart function before starting and during treatment.

Let your healthcare provider know right away if you have symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling in lower legs or feet, racing heartbeat, feeling lightheaded, or tiredness. Your provider might lower your dose or instruct you to stop taking Inlyta (axitinib).

Tears in the gut and other gut problems

Though not common, some people who took Inlyta (axitinib) have developed tears in their gut and fistulas (an abnormal connection from one part of the body to another). These problems are serious and can sometimes even be life-threatening. Let your provider know if you have symptoms of gut injuries or fistulas, such as high fever, shivering, vomiting, a lot of stomach pain (especially if it doesn’t go away), pain in the anal area, or severe constipation.

Thyroid gland problems

Some people taking Inlyta (axitinib) developed thyroid gland problems, including both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Your healthcare provider should regularly check your thyroid function through lab tests while you're taking Inlyta (axitinib). Let your provider know if you have any symptoms of thyroid gland problems, like tiredness, feeling cold or hot, unexpected weight changes, and hair loss. If you develop thyroid gland problems, you might need to start thyroid medications to maintain your thyroid function.

Surgery and wound healing problems

Inlyta (axitinib) can make it more difficult for your wound to heal. Let your provider know if you’re planning to have a surgery or procedure. You shouldn’t take Inlyta (axitinib) at least 2 days before surgery. The medication shouldn’t be restarted until at least 2 weeks after the surgery and until your surgical wounds have properly healed.

In addition, if you get injured while you’re taking Inlyta (axitinib) and your wounds are healing very slowly, let your provider know. Your provider might ask you to temporarily stop the medication to wait for your injuries to heal before restarting at a lower dosage.

Temporary change in brain function (reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome or RPLS)

Very rarely, Inlyta (axitinib) can cause a neurological problem called reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS). In clinical trials, this happened in less than 1% of people who took Inlyta (axitinib). RPLS can cause seizures, headache, severe tiredness, confusion, and changes in vision. This syndrome commonly goes away within a week when it's recognized and treated early. Let your provider know right away if you experience any symptoms of RLPS while you’re taking Inlyta (axitinib). You’ll need to stop treatment if you develop RPLS.

Protein in the urine

In clinical trials, 11% of people who took Inlyta (axitinib) had proteinuria (protein in the urine). Your healthcare provider will check your urine protein levels using a lab test called a urinalysis before you start this medication and regularly throughout treatment. If you develop protein in your urine while you’re taking Inlyta (axitinib), you might need to stop treatment temporarily and restart at a lower dosage.

Liver problems

  • Risk factors: Taking Inlyta (axitinib) with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) or Bavencio (avelumab)

Taking Inlyta (axitinib) can cause elevated liver enzymes in the blood. Some people who took the medication together with immunotherapy had serious liver damage. Because of this risk, your healthcare provider will lower your dose to prevent further liver damage if you already have liver problems. Inlyta (axitinib) hasn't been studied in people who have severe liver problems.

Your healthcare provider will perform to check your liver function regularly while you’re getting treated with Inlyta (axitinib). Let your provider know right away if you experience any symptoms of liver damage, like yellowing of the skin or eyes, pain on the right side of your stomach, dark urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite, or severe nausea or vomiting. If you develop elevated liver enzymes or liver inflammation (hepatitis), you might need to stop taking Inlyta (axitinib).

Harm to an unborn baby

Based on animal studies, it’s possible that Inlyta (axitinib) can cause harm to an unborn baby if it’s taken by mothers during pregnancy. If you’re a woman who can get pregnant, use birth control while you’re getting treated with Inlyta (axitinib) and for 1 week after the last dose. Men with partners who can have children should also use birth control (e.g., condom) while taking this medication and for 1 week after the last dose. Let your provider know right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant during treatment.

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Inlyta (axitinib) dosage

Typical dosage for Inlyta (axitinib)

The typical starting dose is 5 mg by mouth twice daily (about 12 hours apart), with or without food.

Your provider will adjust your dose based on how well the medication is working to treat your cancer, the severity of any side effects, and whether you have liver problems.

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Interactions between Inlyta (axitinib) and other drugs

Inlyta (axitinib) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Inlyta (axitinib). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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What are alternatives to Inlyta (axitinib)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Inlyta (axitinib). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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References

Best studies we found

American Heart Association. (2023). Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of excessive blood clotting (hypercoagulation).

American Cancer Society. (2019). Chemotherapy Safety.

European Society for Medical Oncology. (n.d.). Reactive management.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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