Votrient (pazopanib) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for certain types of advanced cancers in adults. As with other drugs, Votrient can cause side effects, such as fatigue, diarrhea, or changes in hair color.

Votrient has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Votrient can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Votrient in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

Mild side effects can occur with Votrient use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Votrient’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Votrient include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Votrient and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

Votrient may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Votrient’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Votrient, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • heart problems, such as long QT syndrome or congestive heart failure, which may include symptoms such as:
  • lung problems, such as interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis, which may include symptoms such as:
    • shortness of breath
    • cough
    • fever or chills
    • unexplained weight loss
    • joint or muscle pain
  • hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels in the blood), which may include symptoms such as:
  • tumor lysis syndrome (release of harmful chemicals into your blood from dying cancer cells), which may include symptoms such as:
  • bleeding problems, which may include symptoms such as:
    • nosebleeds
    • sudden headache
    • blood in your urine or stool
    • bruising or bleeding more easily than usual
  • gastrointestinal fistula (unusual connection of your stomach or intestine to another organ) or perforation (tear), which may include symptoms such as:
    • severe abdominal pain
    • nausea or vomiting
    • dizziness
    • diarrhea
  • posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (a type of swelling in your brain), which may include symptoms such as:
    • headache
    • seizures
    • confusion
    • changes in vision
    • extreme tiredness
  • serious infection, which may include symptoms such as:
  • protein in your urine, which may be a sign of kidney problems and include symptoms such as:
    • swollen hands or feet
    • urinating more often
    • foamy urine
  • high blood pressure, which may cause the following symptoms if severe:
    • blurry vision
    • headache
    • confusion
  • liver damage*
  • blood clots*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Votrient tablets can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Votrient, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Votrient may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Votrient cause long-term side effects?

Yes, it’s possible. Long-term side effects refer to those that can start at any time, even if you’ve been taking it for a long time. It also includes side effects that don’t go away, even after you stop taking the drug.

Long-term side effects that have been reported in clinical trials of Votrient include:

  • heart failure
  • lung problems
  • liver damage*
  • change in hair or skin color*

If you have questions about the side effects of Votrient and how long they may last, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

Are there ways to help manage the side effects of Votrient?

Yes, talk with your doctor if you experience side effects that are bothersome. They can recommend ways to help manage them.

Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter or prescribed medication to help manage the most common side effects. These include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, headache, or muscle and bone pain.

If you have fatigue, it’s important to rest, but also try to take short walks or do other light exercise. If you lose your appetite when you start taking Votrient, your doctor can recommend ways to improve your appetite and maintain a weight that’s healthy for you.

If you experience more severe side effects, your doctor may reduce your dose or have you permanently stop taking Votrient.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Votrient may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Votrient.

Liver damage

Votrient has a boxed warning about the risk of liver damage. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Elevated liver enzymes, which may indicate liver damage, were commonly reported in clinical trials of Votrient. While rare, severe liver problems, such as liver failure and death, have also occurred. People older than 65 years of age may have an increased risk of liver problems.

Liver problems may include symptoms such as:

  • loss of appetite
  • upper right abdominal pain
  • nausea and vomiting
  • dark-colored urine
  • bruising more easily than usual
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)

What you can do

Your doctor will order blood tests called liver function tests before you start taking Votrient. They’ll also do this often during your treatment. These tests measure the level of liver enzymes in your blood.

If your blood tests show signs of liver damage while taking Votrient, your doctor may reduce your dosage or recommend stopping it to let your liver recover. But if your liver doesn’t get better or you have severe liver damage, they may have you permanently stop taking Votrient.

If you notice any symptoms of liver damage while taking Votrient, contact your doctor right away.

Changes in hair or skin color

Votrient may cause changes in your hair or skin color. This was a common side effect of Votrient in clinical trials. Votrient can cause a loss of pigmentation in your hair or skin, meaning it will become lighter in color. Your hair may become white or gray. This typically happens slowly during the first few months of therapy.

What you can do

Changes in your hair or skin color while taking Votrient aren’t harmful. They’ll typically go away after you stop treatment, but in some people, they may be permanent. If you’re concerned about changes in your hair or skin during treatment with Votrient, talk with your doctor. They may recommend ways to help you manage this side effect.

Blood clots

Blood clots were reported in some people taking Votrient in the drug’s clinical trials. This side effect wasn’t common. Blood clots were reported in the arteries and veins.

Blood clots in the arteries can cause a heart attack, stroke, or transient ischemic attack. When a clot occurs in the veins, it can cause a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), commonly in the legs. It can also cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), which is a blood clot in the lungs.

The symptoms of blood clots may vary depending on where it is in your body but may include:

  • confusion
  • sudden numbness or weakness, particularly on one side of the body
  • difficulty breathing
  • chest pain, tightness, or pressure, which may spread to your arms or back
  • sudden headache
  • problems with walking or coordination
  • pain or swelling in an arm or leg

Votrient can also cause a condition called thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). This is a rare but serious condition where blood clots form inside your small blood vessels. This can damage organs, such as the brain or kidneys, which may be life threatening.

Symptoms of TMA may include:

  • dizziness
  • bruising or bleeding more often than usual
  • tiredness
  • seizures
  • pale skin
  • shortness of breath

What you can do

If you experience symptoms of a blood clot while taking Votrient, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

If you have a DVT or PE, your doctor will likely recommend stopping Votrient until your clot has been treated. Depending on the severity of the clot, your doctor may permanently stop treatment with Votrient.

If you have a heart attack or stroke or have thrombotic microangiopathy, your doctor will permanently stop Votrient.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Votrient.

Votrient has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Other precautions

Before taking Votrient, discuss your health history with your doctor. Votrient may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • liver or kidney problems
  • heart problems
  • high blood pressure
  • history of a heart attack or stroke
  • history of a blood clot in your vein or lung
  • history of bleeding problems in the last 6 months
  • history of a gastrointestinal fistula or perforation
  • thyroid problems
  • recent or upcoming surgery
  • previous allergic reaction to Votrient or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.