Pazopanib is an antiangiogenic agent which was approved for its medical use on 19th October 2009.

Pazopanib has been developed to treat a type of kidney cancer (Renal cell carcinoma) and soft tissue cancer after disease progression and inadequate response to other anticancer therapies.

Pazopanib is available in the form of tablets in the doses 200mg and 400mg. The usual recommended dose is 800mg once a day without food. You can take this medicine an hour before food or two hours after your meals. For patients with moderate liver impairment, the usual recommended dose is 200mg once daily. Your healthcare provider will adjust the dosing according to how well your body tolerates this medication.

The common side effects that are likely to occur while you are on the treatment with Pazopanib are high blood pressure, diarrhoea, nausea, hair colour changes, loss of appetite, vomiting, tiredness, weight loss, musculoskeletal pain, headache, breathlessness and skin discolouration. If you experience severe headache, chest pain, blood in cough, weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, or confusion, report to your doctor immediately.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience abnormal heart rhythm, seizure, muscle cramps, fever, infection, or severe bleeding. During the Pazopanib treatment, your doctor may periodically monitor your complete blood counts, blood pressure, ECG, blood sugar, electrolytes, thyroid panel, urine test (for proteinuria) liver and kidney parameters to check for the presence of liver toxicity, heart problems, kidney impairment, bleeding, blood clots, pneumonitis, tumor lysis syndrome, and infections and also to prevent serious complications. Report to your doctor if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, problems in your heart, liver, skin, kidneys or blood disorders. It is not recommended to undergo surgical procedures while on treatment with Pazopanib Tablet due to the high risk of bleeding. Discuss with your healthcare provider and stop taking Pazopanib Tablet one week before and two weeks after undergoing surgical and dental procedures. Get immediate medical attention if you experience severe headaches, vision changes, confusion or dizziness.

Pazopanib significantly impairs fertility and may also cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider before beginning this treatment if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby. It is advisable for both men and women to follow proper contraceptive methods during and two weeks after the last dose of Pazopanib. Avoid breastfeeding your baby while you are on the treatment and two weeks after the last dose as Pazopanib can impact the growth and development of the baby by passing into the breast milk.

Pazopanib can make you feel dizzy and weak. Avoid driving or operating heavy machines if you experience dizziness, confusion, or tiredness while on treatment with Pazopanib. 

1. Edward Chu, Cancer Chemotherapy, Lange’s Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 14th Edition, 2018, 948-976.

2. Novartis Pharmaceuticals, US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), [Revised on Dec 2021] [Accessed on 19th Sep 2022], https://www.novartis.com/us-en/sites/novartis_us/files/votrient.pdf

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice, it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.