What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- Bleeding disorder
- Brain tumor
- Having or recent surgery
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- History of blood clots
- Liver disease
- Stomach or intestine problems
- Thyroid disease
- An unusual or allergic reaction to axitinib, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- If you or your partner are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breast-feeding
What may interact with this medication?
- Bosentan
- Certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, nafcillin, telithromycin
- Certain antivirals for HIV or AIDS, such as atazanavir, efavirenz, etravirine, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir
- Certain medications for fungal infections, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole
- Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
- Certain medications for tuberculosis, such as rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine
- Dexamethasone
- Grapefruit juice
- Modafinil
- Nefazodone
- St. John's wort
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. It may be some time before you see the benefit from this medication.
This medication may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your care team tells you to stop.
Before having surgery, talk to your care team to make sure it is ok. This medication can increase the risk of poor healing of your surgical site or wound. You will need to stop this medication for 2 days before surgery. After surgery, wait at least 2 weeks before restarting this medication. Make sure the surgical site or wound is healed enough before restarting this medication. Talk to your care team if questions.
Be careful brushing or flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medication.
Talk to your care team if you or your partner may be pregnant. Serious birth defects can occur if you take this medication during pregnancy and for 1 week after the last dose. You will need a negative pregnancy test before starting this medication. Contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 1 week after the last dose. Your care team can help you find the option that works for you.
If your partner can get pregnant, use a condom during sex while taking this medication and for 1 week after the last dose.
Do not breastfeed while taking this medication and for 2 weeks after stopping therapy.
This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.