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 90%)
- Hair loss (87%)
- Feeling numbness and tingling (60%)
- Muscle, bone, or joint pain (60%)
- Nausea and vomiting (52%)
- Allergic reaction (41%)
- Diarrhea (38%)
- Mouth sores (31%)
- Infection (30%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Injection site reactions
Please note: Side effect information is from studies of people who received [[EDITOR|DRUG_DISPLAY_NAME]] alone for ovarian or breast cancer. Your side effect experience might be different depending on your cancer and your treatment plan.
Paclitaxel serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reactions: swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, difficulty swallowing, rash, itching, trouble breathing
- Lower blood cell counts (serious infections): unusual bleeding or bruising, fever
- Abnormal heart rhythm: racing heartbeat, feeling lightheaded
Source: DailyMed
The following Paclitaxel 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 or tarry stools
blurred vision
burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
confusion
cough or hoarseness with fever or chills
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
feeling of warmth
fever or chills
lower back or side pain
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
shortness of breath
skin rash or itching
sweating
troubled breathing with exertion
ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
unsteadiness or awkwardness
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Less common
Blood in the urine or stools
difficult or labored breathing
pinpoint red spots on the skin
shortness of breath (severe)
slow heartbeat
tightness in the chest
Incidence not known
blue lips, fingernails, or skin
difficult or troubled breathing
fainting
fast heartbeat
irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
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
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
cracked lips
difficulty with swallowing
nausea or vomiting
numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
pain in the joints or muscles, especially in the arms or legs
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.
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