Axitinib (Inlyta) (The James)

 

Taking Your Treatment Home

What you need to know about your Anti-Cancer Medicine

 

Here is important information on how to use, handle, and store your medicine, what side effects to look for and how to manage them.

 

What it looks like:

1mg tablet (red, oval-shaped)

5mg tablet (red, triangle-shaped)

 

How to handle and store:

  • There are special safe handling instructions for this medicine. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about the precautions you need to follow when you take this medicine at home.
  • Store in a closed container in a dry place such as a cabinet away from light, heat and moisture.
  • Do not store in your bathroom or refrigerator.
  • Keep this medicine away from children and do not share it with anyone.

 

How to take:

  • Take this medicine 2 times each day as ordered by your doctor. Take the tablets 12 hours apart, as close to the same time each day.
  • Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water.
  • This medicine may be taken with or without food.
  • If you vomit or miss a dose, do not take another dose. Take the next dose at your usual time.
  • Do not double up on doses.
  • Do not take more tablets than ordered by your doctor.
  • Do not crush, break or chew the tablet.

 

Disposal:

  • Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how to get rid of prescription medicines safely.

 

Precautions:

  • Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, liver problems, thyroid problems, and a history of blood clots or bleeding problems.
  • Tell your doctor if you are planning to have any surgeries or procedures as this medicine can change wound healing.
  • Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal products.
  • Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice. This can increase your risk of side effects
  • Do not take St. John’s Wort.

 

Possible Side Effects

You can find more information on side effects in the Patient Education booklet, Treatment with Chemotherapy and Anti-Cancer Medicines.

 

High Blood Pressure or Heart Problems

What to do:

  • Keep track of your blood pressure when you take this medicine. Call your doctor if your blood pressure is higher than 140/90.
  • Tell your doctor if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, have headaches or swollen ankles.

 

Bleeding/Bruising/Black Stools

What to do:

  • Call your doctor if you have bruising, bleeding, and black stools or if you have unusual bleeding, such as bright red blood in your stools or nose bleeds that do not stop.
  • Call your doctor if you have sudden or severe stomach pain.
  • Do not use aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) for regular aches and pains, unless told otherwise by your doctor.

 

Changes in Lab Values

What to do:

  • It is important to keep appointments to have your blood work checked.
  • Your doctor may order the following blood tests: electrolytes, liver function tests, complete blood count (CBC), thyroid function tests.

 

Voice Changes (Dysphonia)

What this means: You may have changes in your voice or problems being able to speak when you take this medicine.

What to do:

  • Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

 

Hand-Foot Syndrome

What this means: You may have tingling, numbness, or pain in the palms of your hands and soles of your feet. Your skin may become swollen or red. You may develop sores or blisters.

What to do:

  • Wear shoes and clean socks that fit well to prevent skin irritation.
  • Use a moisturizing cream or lotion. Your doctor may also give you a prescription for Urea cream.
  • Keep your hands and feet clean and dry.

 

Nausea and Vomiting

What to do:

  • Call your doctor if you are not able to keep down fluids for more than 24 hours or if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
  • Eat small meals or snacks often during the day. Stay away from spicy or high-fat foods.
  • Drink water during the day.

 

Changes in Bowel Movement

What to do:

  • Call your doctor if you have diarrhea more than 4 times in a day, if it lasts for more than 1 to 2 days or if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
  • Call your doctor if you do not have a bowel movement for 2 days or you are uncomfortable because you are unable to have a bowel movement.
  • Drink plenty of fluid during the day.

 

This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Tell your doctor if you have these or any other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine. Your James health care team can give you other tips for how to manage your side effects.

 

 

© 9/12/2022. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care.