Before receiving paclitaxel injection,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to paclitaxel, any other medications, human albumin, polyoxyethylated castor oil, or medications that contain polyoxyethylated castor oil such as cyclosporine injection (Sandimmune) and teniposide (Vumon). Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not know if a medication that you are allergic to contains human albumin or polyoxyethylated castor oil.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone); certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin), and telithromycin (Ketek); certain antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); aripiprazole (Abilify);certain benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), midazolam, and triazolam (Halcion); buspirone (Buspar); certain calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc, in Azor, in Caduet, in Lotrel), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nisoldipine (Sular), and verapamil (Calan, Tarka, Verelan); carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol); other chemotherapy medications for cancer such as doxorubicin (Doxil); certain cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), and simvastatin (Zocor); cimetidine (Tagamet); cisplatin (Platinol); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); fluoxetine (Prozac, Safarem, in Symbyax); efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla); fluvoxamine; gemfibrozil (Lopid); imatinib (Gleevec); methadone (Dolophine); montelukast (Singulair); nefazodone; nevirapine (Viramune); phenytoin; pimozide (Orap); protease inhibitors used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) such as indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), and saquinavir (Invirase); quinidine; quinine (Qualaquin); rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin, in Rifamate); sildenafil (Viagra); tacrolimus (Prograf); tamoxifen (Nolvadex); trazodone; and vincristine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with paclitaxel, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or heart disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you plan to father a child. You or your partner should not become pregnant while you are receiving paclitaxel injection. You should use birth control to prevent pregnancy in yourself or your partner during your treatment with paclitaxel injection. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you or your partner become pregnant while receiving paclitaxel injection, call your doctor. Paclitaxel may harm the fetus.
tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving paclitaxel injection.
if you are using paclitaxel manufactured with polyoxyethylated castor oil, you should know that the medication contains alcohol. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages or medications that may affect your thinking or judgment during your treatment.
talk to your doctor before you receive any vaccinations during your treatment with paclitaxel.
you should know that paclitaxel may make it more difficult for your body to fight infection. Wash your hands often and avoid crowds and people who are sick during your treatment with paclitaxel.
you should know that paclitaxel may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.