How Effective is Jevtana & What are its Side Effects, Dosage?

Jevtana or cabazitaxel can cause several serious allergic reactions such as difficulty in breathing, chest tightness, rashes in skin, skin redness, feeling like pass out, etc. Therefore it is important to tell your doctor and your caregivers about these right away.

How Effective is Jevtana & What are its Side Effects, Dosage?

How Effective is Jevtana?

Jevtana also known as cabazitaxel is a medicine to effectively treat cancer which will prevent and interfere with cancer cells that and grow and spread in the body.

Jevtana or cabazitaxel is used along with prednisone for effective treatment of prostate cancer which spreads to all other body parts.

Jevtana or cabazitaxel is given to patients only when all other medicines given to treat the condition have failed.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant do not take jevtana or cabazitaxel as it will harm the baby.

If you have low white blood cell counts, severe liver diseases, or allergies to medicines that has polysorbate 80, do not have jevtana or cabazitaxel.

Jevtana or cabazitaxel can also cause lowering of blood cells which helps to fight infections which will result in your getting sick easier from others around you. You will have to undergo regular blood tests.

Before Taking Jevtana

If you have any allergic reaction to jevtana or cabazitaxel, or have any of these conditions, do not take this medicine:

  • Low white blood cell count
  • Severe liver disease
  • Allergic to medicines containing polysorbate 80.

It is important to tell your doctor if you have any of these following conditions, to make sure jevtana or cabazitaxel is safe for you:

  • Kidney disease
  • History of radiation treatment to pelvic area
  • History of allergic reaction to any medication
  • Kidney disease
  • If you are taking a blood thinner (jantoven, Coumadin, warfarin) or any other drugs that helps in preventing blood clot such as ticlid, plavix, clopidorgel, etc.
  • If you are above 65 years of age
  • If you are taking Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (motrin, advil), aspirin, naproxen (aleve), etc
  • History of intestinal bleeding or stomach bleeding.

FDA Pregnancy Category D: You should not take jevtana or cabazitaxel if you are pregnant as it will harm the unborn baby. It is important to use very effective birth control measures to not become pregnant and in case you do become pregnant inform your doctor.

Do not breast feed your child if you are taking jevtana or cabazitaxel as it is unknown if this medicine passes through breast milk harming the baby.

How is Jevtana Given?

Jevtana or cabazitaxel is given in IV method by injecting through vein. This injection will be given only in clinics or hospitals. This will take over an hour to complete as it has to be given slowly.

Jevtana or cabazitaxel is given one time in three weeks. You would be taking prednisone by mouth everyday as long as you are on this treatment. It is important to follow your doctors every instructions in detail.

The intake of jevtana or cabazitaxel should not be stopped without telling your doctor as you will experience various unpleasant side effects. In case you have missed a dose or stopped taking the medicine, inform your doctor.

You will be given medicines to prevent and side effects 30 minutes prior to giving this jevtana or cabazitaxel.

It is important to follow doctor’s instructions closely and carefully and read the patient and medication guide on each medicine. Never change or alter your jevtana or cabazitaxel dosage levels without telling your doctor.

Jevtana or cabazitaxel can also cause lowering of blood cells which helps to fight infections which will result in your getting sick easier from others around you. You will have to undergo regular blood tests.

Various other medical tests will be taken at the time of treatment to ensure jevtana or cabazitaxel will be safe or you which might delay your cancer treatment in order to get the best result from this treatment.

Doctor will advise you to check temperature regularly at home while taking jevtana or cabazitaxel.

If you have any allergic reactions or other symptoms such as unusual sweating diarrhea or vomiting, call your doctor immediately. While taking jevtana or cabazitaxel there are high chances of you getting dehydrated which will result in electrolyte imbalance.

What is the Recommended Dosage of Jevtana?

Treatment of Prostate Cancer – General Adult Dosage of Jevtana or Cabazitaxel

One time in every 3 weeks – 25 mg/m2 IV

  • Jevtana or cabazitaxel has to be given along with prednisolone or predisone
  • It is important for the patient to be given premedication regimen thirty minutes before injecting IV
  • If needed antiemetics prophylactically can be given
  • Make sure the patient gets required amount of hydration throughout the treatment.
  • Jevtana or cabazitaxel is given to patients in combination with prednisolone or prednisone in order to treat them for hormone refractory metastatic prostate cancer that were earlier treated with docetaxel.

What are the Side Effects of Jevtana?

If you experience any side effects taking jevtana or cabazitaxel, get immediate medical assistance. In most cases the reactions would be difficulty in breathing, hives or even swelling of throat, lips, face or tongue

If you experience any of these extreme side effects of jevtana or cabazitaxel get immediate medical help:

  • Blood in urine, burning or pain during urination
  • Kidney disease symptoms: difficulty or painful urination, less or no urination, shortness of breath, tiredness, swelling in anklets or feet
  • Stomach bleeding symptoms: coughing blood, tarry or bloody stools, vomit looking like coffee grounds
  • Low blood cell counts: unusual bleeding, swollen gums, rapid heart rate, chills, mouth sores, easy bruising, feeling light headed, flu-like symptoms, pale skin, mouth sores
  • Severe vomiting, ongoing constipation, tenderness, stomach pain.
  • In most cases serious side effects are found in older patients.

Other common side effects of jevtana or cabazitaxel are:

  • Diarrhea, constipation
  • Back pain, joint pain
  • Stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting
  • Blood in urine is also a side effect of jevtana or cabazitaxel
  • Fever, difficulty in breathing, low blood cell counts, cough
  • Hair loss
  • Tingly feeling, burning, numbness, pain in feet or hands
  • Change in sense of taste.
Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:June 10, 2019

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