Onxol

Onxol is used to treat breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer. It is also used to treat AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.

Onxol is sometimes given after other treatments have failed.

Onxol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; feeling faint; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Onxol can reduce the number of blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood clot. This may make you more likely to get an infection or bleed easily. Call your doctor if you experience unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, sore throat, mouth sores, cough).

You should not be treated with Onxol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• low white blood cell (WBC) counts; or
• an allergy to castor oil (found in Onxol and other medicines like cyclosporine or teniposide).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems; or
• liver disease.

Onxol may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while you are using Onxol.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; feeling like you might faint; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Onxol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you experience:

• severe stomach pain or diarrhea;
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling);
• numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet;
• severe redness or irritation, swelling or a hard lump, or other changes in your skin where the injection was given (may occur 7 to 10 days after an injection);
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• cough with mucus, chest pain, feeling short of breath;
• chest pain, shortness of breath, fast or slow heartbeats;
• feeling light-headed, like you might faint;
• severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;
• a seizure;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under your skin;
• low red blood cells (anemia)--pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet; or
• low white blood cell counts--fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or stopped permanently if you have certain side effects.

Common side effects of Onxol may include:

• fever, chills, or other signs of infection;
• anemia;
• feeling weak, tired, or light-headed;
• bleeding;
• trouble breathing or swallowing;
• hair loss, skin rash, hives;
• numbness, tingling, or burning;
• swelling in your face, hands, or feet;
• sores or white patches in or around your mouth;
• joint or muscle pain;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; or
• tenderness or irritation where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Onxol is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Onxol must be given slowly, and the infusion can take 3 to 24 hours to complete.

Onxol is usually given once every 2 to 3 weeks. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

You may be given other medications to prevent an allergic reaction while you are receiving Onxol.

Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, kidney function, and other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving Onxol.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when Onxol is injected.

Onxol can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Onxol.

Since Onxol is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, it is unlikely that you will receive too much of the medicine.

Onxol contains alcohol and may make you feel drunk when it is injected into your vein. Do not drink alcohol on the day you receive this medicine injection.

Do not be near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any signs of infection.

Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Take extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.

Sometimes, it is not safe to use certain medications together. Some drugs can change the levels of other drugs in your blood, which may lead to more side effects or make the medications work less effectively.

Many drugs can affect Onxol. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.