Abraxane Side Effects

Abraxane Chemotherapy Medicine

Abraxane Side Effects: An Introduction

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Abraxane^® (protein-bound paclitaxel); however, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate Abraxane quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.

(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Abraxane. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Abraxane side effects with you.)

Common Side Effects of Abraxane

Abraxane has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which a group of people taking the drug have side effects documented. In these studies, the most common side effects of Abraxane included:

Hair loss -- in up to 90 percent of people (see Abraxane and Hair Loss)
Neutropenia (low levels of a certain of white blood cells called neutrophils) -- up to 80 percent
Nerve pain or unusual sensations, such as burning or tingling -- up to 71 percent (see Nerve and Muscle Problems During Chemotherapy)
Changes in heart rhythm seem on an electrocardiogram (ECG) -- up to 60 percent
Weakness -- up to 47 percent
Anemia -- up to 33 percent (see Chemotherapy and Anemia)
Nausea -- up to 30 percent (see Chemotherapy and Nausea).

Other common Abraxane side effects, occurring in 2 to 27 percent of people, included:

Low platelets in the blood (see Blood Clotting Problems and Chemotherapy)
Infections (see Chemotherapy and Infections)
Bleeding
Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Cough
Difficulty breathing
Fluid retention or water weight gain (Fluid Retention During Chemotherapy)
Vomiting
Diarrhea (see Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea)
Mouth sores or sores in the digestive tract (see Mouth and Gum Problems During Chemotherapy).

(Abraxane Side Effects Continued: Page 2)