Before using paclitaxel, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as polyoxyethylated castor oil), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood disorders (e.g., low white blood cell count), decreased bone marrow function, current infections, heart problems (e.g., fast/slow/irregular heartbeat), high or low blood pressure, liver disease.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently received polio vaccine by mouth or flu vaccine inhaled through the nose.
Since this medication can increase your risk of developing serious infections, wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections. Avoid contact with people who have illnesses that may spread to others (e.g., flu, chickenpox).
To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like safety razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports.
Caution is advised when using this drug in children because it contains alcohol. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of alcohol, especially drowsiness and confusion.
Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its side effects, especially the decrease in bone marrow function and numbness/tingling/burning of the hands/feet.
Men using this medication should not plan to father a child while receiving treatment. This medication may affect sperm production in men and increase the risk of harm to the unborn baby. Therefore, reliable forms of birth control should be used during treatment and for some time afterwards. Consult your doctor for more details. If your partner becomes pregnant while you are using this medication, tell your doctor immediately.
This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. It is important that men and women using this medication use reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) while using this medication. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.
It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast- feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions:
Some products that may interact with this drug include: other drugs that may decrease bone marrow function (e.g., azathioprine, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that may cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
