What is Axitinib: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Axitinib is a targeted cancer medication that helps slow down the growth of kidney cancer cells. It belongs to a group of medicines called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which work by blocking specific proteins that cancer cells need to grow and spread throughout your body.

This medication represents an important treatment option for people with advanced kidney cancer, particularly when other treatments haven't worked as well as hoped. While the diagnosis itself can feel overwhelming, having effective treatment options like axitinib can provide hope and help extend quality of life.

What is Axitinib Used For?

Axitinib is primarily used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma, which is the most common type of kidney cancer. Your doctor will typically recommend this medication when your kidney cancer has spread to other parts of your body or when initial treatments haven't been successful.

The medication is specifically designed for patients whose cancer has progressed after trying other targeted therapies. It's considered a second-line treatment, meaning it's used after your first treatment approach has stopped working effectively.

In some cases, doctors may also use axitinib as part of combination therapy with other cancer medications. This approach can sometimes be more effective than using any single medication alone, though your oncologist will determine the best strategy for your specific situation.

How Does Axitinib Work?

Axitinib works by blocking several proteins called tyrosine kinases that help cancer cells grow and form new blood vessels. Think of these proteins as fuel pumps that cancer cells use to get the nutrients they need to survive and multiply.

The medication particularly targets something called VEGF receptors, which are like signals that tell your body to create new blood vessels. Cancer tumors need these blood vessels to grow larger, so by blocking these signals, axitinib can help starve the tumor of its blood supply.

This is considered a moderately strong cancer medication that can be quite effective for many people. However, it's not as harsh as traditional chemotherapy because it specifically targets cancer cell processes rather than affecting all rapidly dividing cells in your body.

How Should I Take Axitinib?

Take axitinib exactly as your doctor prescribes, usually twice daily about 12 hours apart. You can take it with or without food, but try to be consistent with your choice to help maintain steady levels in your body.

Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. Don't crush, break, or chew them, as this can affect how the medication is absorbed and potentially cause side effects. If you have trouble swallowing pills, talk to your healthcare team about strategies that might help.

It's best to take axitinib at the same times each day to help you remember and maintain consistent levels in your bloodstream. Many people find it helpful to set phone reminders or link taking their medication to daily routines like meals or bedtime.

Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking this medication, as they can increase the amount of axitinib in your blood and potentially cause more side effects. Other citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are generally fine to eat.

How Long Should I Take Axitinib For?

You'll typically continue taking axitinib for as long as it's helping control your cancer and you're tolerating it reasonably well. This could be months or even years, depending on how your body responds to the treatment.

Your doctor will monitor your progress through regular scans and blood tests to see how well the medication is working. They'll also watch for any side effects that might require adjusting your dose or switching to a different treatment approach.

Some people may need temporary breaks from the medication if they experience significant side effects. Your healthcare team might reduce your dose or pause treatment for a few weeks to let your body recover, then resume when you're feeling better.

Never stop taking axitinib suddenly without talking to your doctor first, even if you're feeling unwell. Stopping abruptly could allow your cancer to start growing again more quickly than expected.

What Are the Side Effects of Axitinib?

Like most cancer medications, axitinib can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. The most common side effects are generally manageable with proper support from your healthcare team.

Here are the more common side effects you might experience while taking axitinib:

• Diarrhea, which can sometimes be significant
• High blood pressure that may need monitoring
• Fatigue or feeling more tired than usual
• Nausea or stomach upset
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Hand-foot syndrome, causing redness or pain on palms and soles
• Hoarse voice or throat irritation
• Cough or shortness of breath

Most of these side effects are mild to moderate and can be managed with medications or lifestyle adjustments. Your healthcare team will work with you to find strategies that help you feel as comfortable as possible.

While less common, some people may experience more serious side effects that require immediate medical attention:

• Severe high blood pressure that causes headaches or vision changes
• Signs of liver problems like yellowing skin or dark urine
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Severe diarrhea that leads to dehydration
• Blood clots causing chest pain or leg swelling
• Heart problems including chest pain or irregular heartbeat

These serious side effects are relatively rare, but it's important to know the warning signs. Your doctor will monitor you closely and adjust your treatment if needed to keep you safe and comfortable.

Who Should Not Take Axitinib?

Axitinib isn't suitable for everyone, and your doctor will carefully review your medical history before prescribing it. People with certain health conditions may need to avoid this medication or use it with extra caution.

You should not take axitinib if you're allergic to it or any of its ingredients. Signs of allergic reactions can include rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing, and these require immediate medical attention.

People with certain medical conditions may need special monitoring or dose adjustments when taking axitinib:

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Heart disease or history of heart problems
• Liver disease or elevated liver enzymes
• Kidney problems beyond the cancer itself
• History of blood clots or stroke
• Bleeding disorders or recent surgery
• Thyroid problems

Pregnant women should not take axitinib as it can harm the developing baby. If you're able to become pregnant, you'll need to use effective birth control during treatment and for some time afterward.

Breastfeeding mothers should also avoid this medication, as it can pass into breast milk and potentially harm the nursing baby. Your healthcare team can discuss safe feeding alternatives if needed.

Axitinib Brand Name

Axitinib is sold under the brand name Inlyta by Pfizer. This is the most commonly prescribed form of the medication, and it comes in tablet form in different strengths.

Whether you receive the brand name or a generic version may depend on your insurance coverage and pharmacy. Both forms contain the same active ingredient and work the same way in your body.

Your pharmacy may substitute generic axitinib for the brand name unless your doctor specifically writes "brand name only" on your prescription. If you have concerns about switching between brand and generic forms, discuss this with your healthcare team.

Axitinib Alternatives

If axitinib isn't working well for you or causes troublesome side effects, several other treatment options are available for advanced kidney cancer. Your oncologist can help determine which alternative might be best for your specific situation.

Other targeted therapy options include medications like sunitinib, pazopanib, or cabozantinib, which work in similar ways but may have different side effect profiles. Some people tolerate one medication better than another, even within the same class of drugs.

Immunotherapy drugs like nivolumab or pembrolizumab represent another treatment approach that helps your immune system fight the cancer. These medications work differently than axitinib and may be effective even if targeted therapies haven't worked well.

Your doctor might also consider combination treatments that use two different types of medications together. These combinations can sometimes be more effective than single medications, though they may also cause more side effects.

Is Axitinib Better Than Sunitinib?

Both axitinib and sunitinib are effective medications for kidney cancer, but they work slightly differently and have different side effect profiles. Neither is universally "better" than the other - the best choice depends on your individual situation.

Axitinib is often used as a second-line treatment after other medications like sunitinib have stopped working effectively. Some studies suggest axitinib might help people live longer without their cancer progressing compared to other second-line options.

In terms of side effects, axitinib may cause less fatigue and fewer blood count problems than sunitinib. However, axitinib might be more likely to cause high blood pressure and diarrhea in some people.

Your oncologist will consider factors like your overall health, previous treatments, and personal preferences when deciding between these medications. The goal is to find the treatment that's most likely to help you while causing the fewest problems with your quality of life.