Jevtana (cabazitaxel) is medication used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other areas of the body. It’s typically only used if your cancer didn’t respond to castration or another chemotherapy called docetaxel (Taxotere). Jevtana (cabazitaxel) is a chemotherapy that's given as an infusion into the veins by a healthcare provider. It’s only infused once every 3 weeks, but you’ll have to take a daily oral steroid during your treatment.
Prostate cancer that has spread to other areas of the body (used in combination with prednisone)
Jevtana (cabazitaxel) is a type of anticancer medication called a microtubule inhibitor. It interferes with the way cells divide and multiply, especially in fast-growing cells, like cancer cells. When this happens, the cells can no longer divide and grow.
Source: DailyMed
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
bleeding gums
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
blood in the urine or stools
burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
chills
difficult or labored breathing
difficult or painful urination
lower back or side pain
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
rapid weight gain
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
swollen glands
tightness in the chest
unsteadiness or awkwardness
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight gain or loss
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Less common
Blurred vision
confusion
decreased urination
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fainting
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
lightheadedness
rapid breathing
sunken eyes
sweating
thirst
wrinkled skin
Incidence not known
Blue lips, fingernails, or skin
burning feeling in the chest or stomach
fast breathing
general feeling of discomfort or illness
indigestion
lower abdominal cramping
severe constipation
stomach pain or upset
tenderness in the stomach area
thickening of bronchial secretions
vomiting
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
cracked lips
decreased weight
difficulty with swallowing
headache
indigestion
lack or loss of strength
loss of appetite
stomach discomfort
thinning of the hair
Less common
Back pain
difficulty with moving
muscle pain, spasm, or stiffness
pain in the joints
pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed
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.
Can be used in prostate cancer that has spread to other areas of the body
Only given every 3 weeks
Helps people with prostate cancer live longer and improve pain
Raises your risk of infections, bleeding, or bruising
Need to take additional pretreatment medications to lower the risk of serious allergic reactions
Need to take a daily steroid pill during treatment
Stay on track with your infusions. You can set calendar reminders or use an app that can help remind you to stay on schedule. If you miss an infusion appointment, contact your prescriber to discuss how to get back on track.
Each Jevtana (cabazitaxel) infusion appointment can take a couple of hours because it includes the time it takes to check in, get the infusion, and monitor for side effects, so make sure you have what you need to be comfortable during that time. Wear sleeves that are easy to roll up, bring a water bottle to help you stay hydrated, and bring a snack. You also might need to arrange for rides home, so go through a checklist a few days before each appointment to help you stay organized.
Jevtana (cabazitaxel) can cause an allergic reaction (e.g., rash, trouble breathing, feeling faint) within minutes of starting your infusion. Let your provider know if you start to have these symptoms so that you can be treated immediately.
As part of your Jevtana (cabazitaxel) treatment, you’ll also need to take daily steroid. If you miss a dose of your steroid, let your provider know.
It’s important to stay hydrated while you’re taking Jevtana (cabazitaxel). This can help lower your risk of dehydration or certain kidney problems. It can also help replace fluids you might have lost if you have diarrhea.
Certain medications, like clarithromycin or voriconazole (Vfend), might change the levels of Jevtana (cabazitaxel) in your body and raise your risk of side effects. Tell your provider and pharmacist about all the medications you take, including supplements and over-the-counter medications. Before starting any new medications, make sure your provider knows you're taking Jevtana (cabazitaxel). When taking some medication, they might need to change your Jevtana (cabazitaxel) dose.
If you're an older adult, you're more likely to get serious infections from Jevtana (cabazitaxel) treatment. Let your provider know if you experience any symptoms of infections, like fever, cough, painful urination, or muscle aches.
Taking Jevtana (cabazitaxel) can raise your risk of infection. Sometimes, fever can be the only sign of an infection. Because of this you should monitor your temperature at home frequently, especially if you feel warm, flushed, chilled, or not well. Let your provider know if you develop any fever.
To lower your chance of developing an infection, wash your hands often. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. To prevent getting sick from tainted foods, please wash raw fruits and vegetables before you eat, and cook your food thoroughly.
If your partner is able to become pregnant, use appropriate birth control measures, such as condoms or birth control pills, while you’re taking Jevtana (cabazitaxel), and for 3 months after your last dose. It’s possible for Jevtana (cabazitaxel) to cause birth defects or pregnancy loss in female partners of males who are taking this medication. Talk with your provider if you have questions about birth control options for you and your partner.
Jevtana (cabazitaxel) 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.
Risk factors: Age ≥ 65 years | Poor health | History of low white blood cell count with fever | Poor nutrition | Other serious illnesses | Previous intensive radiation treatment | Jevtana (cabazitaxel) dose of 25 mg/m^2^
Jevtana (cabazitaxel) can cause your red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), and platelet counts to drop. When these cells are lower than expected, you’re at risk for developing infections, bleeding, or bruising. In very serious cases, some people taking Jevtana (cabazitaxel) have developed deadly infections. Because of the risk of infections, your provider might give you a medication called granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) that helps your body make more WBCs before you start Jevtana (cabazitaxel). Examples of G-CSF include Neupogen (filgrastim) and Neulasta (pegilgrastim).
Your provider will closely monitor your blood counts through lab work while you’re receiving Jevtana (cabazitaxel). Your provider will monitor your blood counts each week during your first cycle and before you start another cycle. If your blood counts are too low, you might have to skip or delay your infusion, or consider a different medication. Let your provider know as soon as possible if you experience fever, chills, or bleeding and bruising that doesn’t stop or go away. This might mean you need to stop receiving Jevtana (cabazitaxel) infusions.
Risk factors: Polysorbate 80 allergy | Previous allergic reaction to Jevtana (cabazitaxel)
Some people have experienced an allergic reaction within minutes of starting their Jevtana (cabazitaxel) infusion. These reactions typically happened during their first or second infusion. Your provider will give you medications, such as an antihistamine (e.g., diphenhydramine (Benadryl)) or steroid {e.g., dexamethasone), before your infusion to lower your risk for these reactions. If you do experience a reaction, your provider can stop the infusion and give you medications to help alleviate your symptoms. They might also switch you to another medication to treat your cancer. Let your provider know immediately if during your infusion you experience a rash, trouble breathing, or lightheadedness.
Risk factors: Previous radiation around the pelvis | Low WBC count | Older adults | Taking other medications that can damage your gut | Stomach ulcers, bleeding, or scar-like tissue
Jevtana (cabazitaxel) can cause nausea, vomiting, or severe diarrhea, which can sometimes be deadly. Because of this, your provider might give you an anti-nausea medication (e.g., promethazine (Phenergan) or ondansetron (Zofran)) before your Jevtana (cabazitaxel) infusion. They might also give you medications to help the diarrhea or a fluid infusion to re-hydrate you. If serious stomach problems occur, your provider might lower your dose or have you stop taking Jevtana (cabazitaxel).
Jevtana (cabazitaxel) can also put you at risk for serious stomach bleeds. Let your provider know if you experience stomach pain or tenderness, black or tarry stool, or blood in your vomit.
Risk factors: Radiation around the pelvis | Dehydration | Serious blood infection | Blockage in your urinary system
Taking Jevtana (cabazitaxel) can cause certain kidney and bladder problems, like kidney failure, blood in your urine, or a bladder infection (cystitis). Cystitis occurs more commonly in people who had previously received pelvic radiation. Kidney failure most commonly happens in people with serious blood infections (sepsis), dehydration, or a blockage in their urinary system. Your provider will monitor you for signs of kidney or bladder problems while taking Jevtana (cabazitaxel). Let your provider know if you experience bloody urine, urinate less, or swelling as these can be signs of kidney or bladder problems. If these happen your provider might have you stop taking Jevtana (cabazitaxel).
Rarely, Jevtana (cabazitaxel) can cause serious lung problems. Let your provider know if you develop new or worsening breathing problems, including trouble breathing, chest pain, cough, or fever. Your provider might tell you to stop taking Jevtana (cabazitaxel) while they figure out what’s causing the lung problems.
Jevtana (cabazitaxel) might cause harm to an unborn baby or raise the risk for miscarriage (pregnancy loss). If your partner is able to become pregnant, you and your partner should use birth control while you’re taking Jevtana (cabazitaxel) and for at least 3 months after your last dose. Your partner should tell their provider right away if they become pregnant during this time.
Your provider will calculate your dose of Jevtana (cabazitaxel) using your body surface area (BSA, in units of m2), which takes into account your body weight and height.
The typical dose is 20 mg/m2 infused through the veins once every 3 weeks. In addition, you’ll also take prednisone 10 mg by mouth once daily throughout [drug] treatment.
Your dose might be different if you have liver problems.
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 receiving 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 not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
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.
Dangerously low white blood cell count
Severe liver problems
Serious allergy to polysorbate 80
Prostate cancer that has spread to other areas of the body (used in combination with prednisone)
Breast cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer
Prostate cancer
Stomach cancer
Head and neck cancer
Secondary progressive, progressive relapsing, or worsening relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS)
Advanced prostate cancer that doesn't respond to hormone treatment
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults
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