The package insert indicates that the drug is not administered to patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a rare type of tumor in the gastrointestinal system, or adipocyte STS (a type of malignant soft tissue tumor). Therefore, the responsible physician should indicate treatment with Votrient only if the patient meets the conditions established by the package insert.
How does Pazopanib Hydrochloride act? Pazopanib Hydrochloride, the active substance in the drug Votrient, is an antineoplastic . This means that it is a compound that stops the growth of neoplasms (tumors) or malignant cells. In some cases, it can also be effective in destroying cancer cells.
The main indication is that it works in cases of advanced and / or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a form of kidney cancer . Its duration of action is, in general, 8 days and there are many studies that prove its efficiency in cancer treatment.
For possible contraindications to the substance, consult a doctor or read the package insert .
How does the package insert indicate use? Votrient is available in coated tablets (200mg or 400mg). The package insert indicates that they must not be broken or crushed. They must be administered orally, with water.
In general, the recommended dose is 800mg daily (4 tablets of 200mg or 2 tablets of 400mg) in a single dose. It should not be administered with food, so it is necessary to wait 2 hours after the meal or to take 1 hour before.
If a dose is missed, it should not be taken until at least 12 hours before the next dose.
For an effective and safe treatment, it is essential to follow the instructions of the responsible physician as to the frequency and use of the medication.
Can Votrient cause side effects? -Yeah . Like any medication, Votrient can also cause side effects during use.
However, it is important to know that adverse reactions do not affect everyone. There are cases in which none is manifested, while in others there may even be more than one.
The label defines as very common reactions related to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) :
Decreased appetite, headache; High pressure; Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain; Change in the color of hair and hair; Increase in liver liver proteins; Tiredness, muscle weakness; Asymptomatic bradycardia (decrease in heart rate, without symptoms). We can also highlight the very common ones in studies of soft tissue sarcoma (STS):
Weight loss, decreased appetite; Headache, taste change, dizziness; Bradycardia (decrease in heart rate, without symptoms); High pressure; Change in voice, shortness of breath, cough; Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, stomatitis (inflammation in the mouth and throat); Hair loss, redness and peeling of the skin; Change in hair and skin color; Palmoplantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (hand-foot syndrome – sleeping, swollen, painful or reddened palms or soles of the feet); Pain in muscles and bones; Tiredness, swelling in the extremities of the body, chest pain; Tumor pain. To know about rare reactions or contraindications of the drug, it is recommended to seek a specialist or consult the package leaflet .
Serious effects The package leaflet for the drug Votrient has some serious side effects. Being that, if the patient presents any of them, he / she should see a doctor immediately, as they can be fatal. Check out:
Signs of liver problems – yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pain on the right next to the stomach, appearance of bruises on the body, among others;Sudden increase in blood pressure – symptoms include severe chest pain, blurred vision, shortness of breath, headache, anxiety, among others;Signs of brain swelling – includes symptoms such as loss of speech, blindness or changes in vision, seizures, among others;Signs of pulmonary inflammation – constant cough and shortness of breath;Signs of heart problems – abnormal heartbeat, fainting, chest pain, high blood pressure, swelling of the legs, heart attack, among others;Stroke – previous symptoms are usually numbness or weakness on one side of the body, difficulty in speaking and headache or dizziness;Blood clots (can occur in the kidneys, brain, legs, lung) – the symptoms vary according to the region, but can be severe pain, shortness of breath, appearance of bruises, seizures, among others;Internal bleeding – blood in the stool, blood in the urine, severe stomach pain, coughing or vomiting with blood;Signs of rupture in the stomach or intestinal wall – fever, severe stomach pain, bloody or dirty drainage (pus) from the opening in the stomach area (abdomen) or near your anus.If symptoms of any of the listed effects appear , do not hesitate to seek specialist help urgently.
What is the price of Votrient 200mg and 400mg? The price * of Votrient varies according to its milligram:
Votrient 200mg (box of 30 coated tablets) : between R $ 2,250 to almost R $ 3,000; Votrient 400mg (box of 30 coated tablets) : between R $ 4,449 to almost R $ 7,000; * Prices consulted in May 2020. Prices may change.
Also, it is worth noting that this medication can only be purchased from a prescription and with prior medical guidance. Independent treatment is not allowed.
Are you generic or similar? No . Votrient is a reference drug from the Novartis laboratory and does not yet have a generic or similar version.
Considering that it is a new medicine, the developer laboratory still has exclusivity of the formula. This occurs due to the patent time (lasts an average of 10 to 20 years), provided due to the studies and investments made to create the remedy.
Does ANVISA approve Votrient? -Yeah . The drug Votrient is approved by ANVISA (National Health Surveillance Agency) and is registered under the number 100681136.
With this, it is understood that it can be used and marketed in Brazil, since before approval tests are carried out in order to prove the safety and efficacy of the medication.
Pazopanib hydrochloride in SUS? No . Pazopanib Hydrochloride (active ingredient of Votrient) is not present in the National List of Essential Medicines (RENAME) of 2020 and is also not considered an exceptionally dispensed medicine.
Thus, the drug is not yet being supplied by the Unified Health System (SUS).
How to budget Votrient? Even when the drug is not available via SUS, patients with medical reports can apply for a court order to receive treatment through the Unified Health System or even through the Health Plan – if applicable.
For this, it is necessary to enter a process, following the stipulated requests. Among them is the delivery of documents that include: medical report, exams, standard requirement and budget from 3 pharmacies .
In order to facilitate the process, it is possible to count on the assistance of legal advice on the purchase of medicines, which provides a personalized quote in an easy way.
When accessing the link , make your registration, informing some personal data and the medicine in question. Finally, just click on “request quotes” and wait for the return.
Cancer is a pathology that affects thousands of people annually, and can affect different organs or tissues. Therefore, more and more drugs are needed to treat this disease – such as Votrient.
