WHAT IS THIS MEDICINE AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR?
Pazoren contains pazopanib which works by blocking several proteins
(VEGFR, PDGFR, and c-KIT) that tumours rely on to grow new blood vessels and
expand. Without a blood supply, tumours cannot get the nutrients they need to
grow. Pazoren and Pazonix are both generic versions of Votrient — they have the
same active ingredient, work the same way, and are clinically equivalent.
It is used for exactly the same cancers: advanced renal cell carcinoma
(kidney cancer) and advanced soft tissue sarcoma in adults after prior
chemotherapy.
3. HOW TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE
The standard dose is 800mg once daily — four 200mg tablets taken together
at the same time each day. Reduced doses of 600mg or 400mg may be used if side
effects require adjustment. Tablets must be taken on an empty stomach — at
least 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after a meal. Swallow whole with water —
do not crush or break. Take at the same time each day.
⚠ PATIENT TIP: Pazoren and Pazonix contain the
same medicine — do not take both brands at the same time. If you are switched
from one brand to the other, let your pharmacist and oncologist know so your
monitoring records remain up to date.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
|
How Common? |
Side Effects |
|
Very common |
Hypertension (very
common), diarrhoea, hair depigmentation (colour change to lighter/grey),
nausea, fatigue, raised liver enzymes, hand-foot syndrome, hypothyroidism |
|
Common |
Hepatotoxicity
(potentially fatal — requires urgent monitoring and prompt reporting).
Hypertensive crisis. Arterial events (stroke, heart attack). QT prolongation.
Bowel perforation. |
5. WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE
Pazopanib should not be used during pregnancy — it can seriously harm an
unborn baby. Effective contraception is essential during treatment and for at
least 2 weeks after the last dose.
It must be used with extreme caution — or avoided — in patients with
significant liver impairment (it is primarily processed by the liver). Do not
use in patients with a recent history of heart attack, stroke, or serious
haemorrhage.
⚠ LIVER TOXICITY: This is the most serious
safety concern with pazopanib. Liver enzyme tests (ALT, AST) must be checked
before treatment, then at weeks 3, 5, 7, and 9, then monthly for the first
year. Liver failure has occurred. Report any jaundice, dark urine, or severe
fatigue immediately.
⚠ BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING: Monitor blood
pressure daily at home and keep a log. High blood pressure must be treated
promptly — it increases the risk of stroke and heart attack. If BP exceeds
150/100 mmHg, contact your care team.
⚠ EMPTY STOMACH: Always take pazopanib on an
empty stomach. A high-fat meal increases absorption dramatically and can cause
unpredictable and dangerous drug levels.
6. MEDICINES THAT INTERACT WITH THIS TREATMENT
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, ritonavir, grapefruit juice,
clarithromycin) significantly raise pazopanib levels — avoid these. Strong
CYP3A4 inducers (rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, St. John's Wort) reduce
efficacy — avoid.
Pazopanib itself inhibits CYP enzymes and may raise levels of statins
(particularly simvastatin) and other CYP substrates — discuss all medicines
with your oncologist. QT-prolonging medicines increase cardiac risk. Proton
pump inhibitors (omeprazole) reduce pazopanib absorption — avoid or take
pazopanib at a specific time relative to the PPI.
7. HOW TO STORE THIS MEDICINE
Store below 25°C in original packaging. Keep away from moisture and
light. Keep out of reach of children.
8. PRESCRIPTION REQUIREMENT
|
Field |
Details |
|
Status |
Prescription Only
Medicine (POM) — Specialist (oncology) prescription required |
9. GUIDANCE FOR PATIENTS & CAREGIVERS
Take your tablets on an empty stomach — at least 1 hour before eating or
2 hours after a meal — at the same time each day. Check your blood pressure
every day and keep a written log to share with your oncology team.
Attend all liver function blood test appointments without fail. Report
any yellow discolouration of skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe right-sided
tummy pain to your oncologist immediately.
Protect your hands and feet with thick moisturiser to manage hand-foot
syndrome. Avoid grapefruit. Use effective contraception throughout treatment.
10. PHARMACIST & PRESCRIBER NOTES
|
Field |
Details |
|
Clinical Dispensing
Notes |
Fasting administration
is critical — food (especially high-fat meal) dramatically increases AUC. LFT
monitoring schedule: pre-treatment, weeks 3, 5, 7, 9, then monthly for 12
months — hepatotoxicity is the primary safety concern and can be fatal. BP
monitoring: daily home monitoring, treat hypertension promptly. CYP3A4
interaction screening mandatory — avoid strong inhibitors and inducers.
Grapefruit counselling. PPI interaction: advise separation or switch to
short-acting H2 blocker taken in morning. Statin interaction (especially
simvastatin, atorvastatin) — dose reduction may be needed. QT-prolonging drug
interaction check. Embryo-fetal toxicity — contraception during and 2 weeks
post-treatment. Hand-foot syndrome prevention counselling. Hair depigmentation
— common and benign; counsel proactively. |
11. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Is Pazoren the same as Pazonix?
Yes — both contain pazopanib 200mg and are clinically equivalent generic
brands of Votrient. They work in the same way and have the same side effects
and monitoring requirements. Do not take both brands at the same time.
Q: How many tablets do I take each day?
The standard dose is four 200mg tablets per day (800mg total), all taken
at the same time on an empty stomach. If your dose has been reduced, your
oncologist will specify exactly how many to take.
Q: Why does my hair look lighter or go grey?
Hair colour change (depigmentation) is a very common and harmless side
effect of pazopanib that affects many patients. It is caused by the medicine's
effect on pigment-producing cells and usually reverses when treatment ends.
Q: Do I still need to monitor my blood pressure and liver even on the
generic brand?
Yes — absolutely. All monitoring requirements are identical regardless of
whether you are taking the branded medicine or a generic. The active ingredient
is the same and the risks are the same.