Cabometyx

Cabometyx is a prescription medication used to treat kidney cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Cabometyx belongs to a group of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

Cabometyx comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day on an empty stomach. Do not eat for at least 2 hours before and at least 1 hour after taking Cabometyx. Swallow Cabometyx whole with a full glass (at least 8 ounces) of water. Do not crush tablets. 

Common side effects tiredness, nausea, and decreased appetite. 

Cabometyx is a prescription medication used to treat kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma (RCC)) that has spread to other parts of the body and for those who have already received certain medications to treat cancer. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Exelixis, Inc.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• medications that increase the activity of the enzyme CYP3A4 such as carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro, Carbatrol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin (Rifadin), St John's wort, rifabutin, and rifapentine
• medications that block a protein in the body (CYP3A4) such as some macrolide antibiotics (clarithromycin, telithromycin), some HIV protease inhibitors (indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir), some HCV protease inhibitors (boceprevir), some azole antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole), conivaptan (Vaprisol), and nefazodone

This is not a complete list of Cabometyx drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Cabometyx including the following:

• Severe bleeding (hemorrhage). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any signs of bleeding while taking or after you stop taking Cabometyx, including:
  • coughing up blood or blood clots
  • vomiting blood or if your vomit looks like coffee-grounds
  • red or black (looks like tar) stools
  • menstrual bleeding that is heavier than normal
  • any unusual or heavy bleeding
• A tear in your stomach or intestinal wall (perforation), or an abnormal connection between 2 parts of your body (fistula). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get:
  • severe pain in your stomach-area (abdomen)
  • coughing, gagging, and choking especially when eating or drinking
• blood clots, stroke, heart attack, and chest pain. Get emergency help right away if you get:
  • swelling or pain in your arms or legs
  • shortness of breath
  • feel lightheaded or faint
  • sweating more than usual
  • numbness or weakness of your face, arm or leg, especially on one side of your body
  • sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • sudden trouble walking
  • dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • a sudden severe headache
• high blood pressure (hypertension) which may be severe. Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure during treatment with Cabometyx. If needed, your healthcare provider should prescribe medicine for you to treat high blood pressure.
• wound healing problems. If you need to have surgery, tell your healthcare provider that you are taking Cabometyx. Your healthcare provider should stop your treatment with Cabometyx at least 28 days before any planned surgery, including dental procedures. Your healthcare provider should tell you when you may start taking Cabometyx again after surgery.
• diarrhea. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience frequent loose, watery bowel movements. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicine to treat your diarrhea or stop treatment for a while. 
• a skin problem called hand-foot skin reaction. Symptoms may include: redness, pain, swelling, or blisters on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet.
• Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS). A condition called reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome can happen while taking Cabometyx. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have headaches, seizures, confusion, changes in vision, or problems thinking.

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to Cabometyx or to any of its ingredients.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with this medication and can lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

Before you take Cabometyx, tell your healthcare provider if you:

• are allergic to Cabometyx or to any of its ingredients 
• have high blood pressure
• have a recent history of coughing up blood or bleeding or any unusual bleeding
• have had recent surgery or plan to have surgery or a dental procedure
• have liver problems
• have any other medical conditions
• are pregnant or you or your partner plan to become pregnant.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Cabometyx and certain other medicines may affect each other causing side effects.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Based on how this medication works, it is expected to cause harm to a fetus (unborn baby) if exposed to Cabometyx. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or if you or your partner plan to become pregnant.

If you are a female who is able to become pregnant, or are a male whose female partner is able to become pregnant; you should use effective birth control during your treatment with Cabometyx and for at least 4 months after your last dose of Cabometyx. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods to prevent pregnancy while you are taking Cabometyx.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you or your female partner becomes pregnant while taking Cabometyx.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

It is not known if Cabometyx passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take Cabometyx or breastfeed. You should not do both.

Take Cabometyx exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.

• Take Cabometyx on an empty stomach, do not eat for at least 2 hours before and at least 1 hour after taking Cabometyx.
• Swallow Cabometyx capsules whole with at least 8 ounces of water. Do not crush or open Cabometyx capsules.
• If you miss a dose and your next dose is in:
       ο  less than 12 hours, take your next dose at the normal time. Do not make up the missed dose.
       ο  12 hours or more, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Take your next dose at the normal time.
• Call your healthcare provider right away if you take too much Cabometyx.

Cabometyx tablets should NOT be substituted with cabozantinib capsules. 

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your liver function

The recommended dose to treat kidney cancer is 60 mg by mouth once daily. 

If you take too much this medication, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If this medication is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store Cabometyx at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
• Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.