About paclitaxel
Taxane chemotherapy medicine
Used for
- Treats breast, ovarian, and non-small-cell lung cancers
- Treats advanced AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma
Usual adult dose
Doses vary by cancer and combination; commonly 135–175 mg/m² intravenously over 3 hours every 3 weeks.
Common side effects
- Low blood counts and increased infection risk
- Hair loss
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Nerve damage, muscle aches, or allergic reactions
Important warnings
- Given by specialist teams with close blood-count monitoring
- Can cause severe allergic reactions; premedication is usually given
- May cause serious infection, bleeding, or nerve damage
- Avoid during pregnancy; effective contraception is needed
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby. Avoid during pregnancy; discuss contraception and pregnancy plans with the oncology team.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for at least 2 weeks after the final dose.
Interactions
- Cisplatin may increase paclitaxel exposure and worsen low blood counts
- Strong CYP2C8 or CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers can alter paclitaxel levels
- Other medicines that suppress bone marrow may increase infection or bleeding risk
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.