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Votrient Side Effects
If you are taking Votrient, you may experience side effects. Although some of the common reactions, such as diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue, are usually minor and easily treated, this drug can cause some serious problems. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you develop potentially serious reactions, such as fever, chest pain, or vision changes.
from eMedTV.comAn Introduction to Votrient Side Effects
Just like any medicine, Votrient® (pazopanib) can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the medication will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are treated easily by you or your healthcare provider.(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Votrient. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list with you.)
Common Side Effects of Votrient
Votrient has been studied extensively in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occurred in a group of people taking the drug were carefully documented and compared to those that occurred in a similar group of people taking a placebo (a "sugar pill" that does not contain any active ingredients). As a result, it was possible to see what side effects occurred, how often they appeared, and how they compared to the placebo.
In these studies, common Votrient side effects included:
- Fatigue -- in up to 65 percent of people
- Diarrhea -- up to 59 percent
- Nausea -- up to 56 percent
- Weight loss -- up to 48 percent
- High blood pressure (hypertension) -- up to 42 percent
- Decreased appetite -- up to 40 percent
- Hair color changes (lightening of the hair) -- up to 39 percent
- Vomiting -- up to 33 percent
- Tumor pain -- up to 29 percent
- Changes in taste -- up to 28 percent
- Headache -- up to 23 percent
- Muscle or bone pain -- up to 23 percent
- Abdominal (stomach) pain -- up to 23 percent.
Other common reactions, occurring in 1 to 20 percent of people, included:
- Shortness of breath
- Rash
- Cough
- Swelling of the arms, hands, legs, ankles, or feet
- Mouth sores or swelling
- Loss of strength or energy
- Hair loss
- Dizziness
- Abnormal amounts of protein in the urine
- Chest pain
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Swelling of the face
- Redness, tenderness, and peeling of the palms of the hand and soles of the feet
- Lightening of the skin
- Insomnia
- An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Difficulty speaking
- Nosebleeds
- Dry skin
- Chills
- Blurred vision
- Changes in finger or toenails
- A slow heart rate.
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH, BCPP
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD