Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Swelling of the brain (reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome)
Pazopanib can, on rare occasions, cause swelling of the brain, which may be life threatening. Symptoms include:
- loss of speech
- change of vision
- seizure (fits)
- confusion
- high blood pressure
Stop taking Pazopanib and seek medical help immediately if you get any of these symptoms, or if you get headache accompanied with any of these symptoms.
Hypertensive crisis (sudden and severe rise in blood pressure)
Pazopanib can on occasion cause a sudden and severe rise in blood pressure. This is known as a hypertensive crisis. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure while you are taking Pazopanib. Signs and symptoms of a hypertensive crisis may include:
- severe chest pain
- severe headache
- blurred vision
- confusion
- nausea
- vomiting
- severe anxiety
- shortness of breath
- seizures (fits)
- fainting
Stop taking Pazopanib and seek medical help immediately if you develop hypertensive crisis.
Heart conditions
The risks of these problems may be higher for people with an existing heart problem, or who are taking other medicines. You will be checked for any heart problems while you are taking Pazopanib.
Cardiac dysfunction/heart failure, heart attack
Pazopanib can affect how well your heart pumps or can increase the likelihood of having a heart attack. Signs and symptoms include:
- irregular or fast heartbeat
- rapid fluttering of your heart
- fainting
- chest pain or pressure
- pain in your arms, back, neck or jaw
- shortness of breath
- leg swelling
Seek medical help immediately if you get any of these symptoms.
Changes in heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
Pazopanib can affect heart rhythm which in some people can develop into a potentially serious heart condition known as torsade de pointes. This can result in a very fast heartbeat causing a sudden loss of consciousness.
Tell your doctor if you notice any unusual changes in your heart beat, such as beating too fast or too slow.
Stroke
Pazopanib can increase your likelihood of having a stroke. Signs and symptoms of stroke may include:
- numbness or weakness on one side of your body
- difficulty talking
- headache
- dizziness
Seek medical help immediately if you get any of these symptoms.
Bleeding
Pazopanib can cause severe bleeding in the digestive system (such as stomach, oesophagus, rectum or intestine), or the lungs, kidneys, mouth, vagina and brain, although this is uncommon. Symptoms include:
- passing blood in the stools or passing black stools
- passing blood in the urine
- stomach pain
- coughing or vomiting up blood
Seek medical help immediately if you get any of these symptoms.
Perforation and fistula
Pazopanib can cause a tear (perforation) in your stomach or intestinal wall or the development of an abnormal connection between two parts of your digestive tract (a fistula). Signs and symptoms may include:
- severe stomach pain
- nausea and/or vomiting
- fever
- development of a hole (perforation) in the stomach, intestine or bowel from which bloody or foul smelling pus is released
Seek medical help immediately if you get any of these symptoms.
Liver problems
Pazopanib can cause problems with your liver which may develop into serious conditions such as liver dysfunction and liver failure, which may be fatal. Your doctor will be checking your liver enzymes while you are taking Pazopanib. Signs that your liver may not be working properly may include:
- yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
- dark urine
- tiredness
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- pain on the right side of your stomach area (abdomen)
- bruising easily
Seek medical help immediately if you get any of these symptoms.
Blood clots
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism
Pazopanib may cause blood clots in your veins, especially in your legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT), which may also travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolism). Signs and symptoms may include:
- sharp chest pain
- shortness of breath
- rapid breathing
- leg pain
- swelling of your arms and hands or legs and feet
Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)
Pazopanib may cause blood clots in the small blood vessels in the kidneys and brain accompanied by a decrease in red blood cells and cells involved in clotting (thrombotic microangiopathy, TMA). Signs and symptoms may include:
- bruising easily
- high blood pressure
- fever
- confusion
- drowsiness
- seizures (fits)
- decrease in urine output
Seek medical help immediately if you get any of these symptoms.
Tumour lysis syndrome
Pazopanib can cause a fast breakdown of cancer cells resulting in tumour lysis syndrome, which in some people may be fatal. Symptoms may include irregular heartbeat, seizures (fits), confusion, muscle cramps or spasms, or decrease in urine output. Seek medical help immediately if you get any of these symptoms.
Infections
Infections occurring while you take Pazopanib may possibly become serious. Symptoms of infections may include:
- fever
- flu-like symptoms such as cough, tiredness and body aches that do not go away
- shortness of breath and/or wheezing
- pain while urinating
- cuts, scrapes or wounds that are red, warm, swollen or painful
Seek medical help immediately if you get any of these symptoms.
Lung inflammation
Pazopanib can, on rare occasions, cause lung inflammation (interstitial lung disease, pneumonitis), which in some people can be fatal. Symptoms include shortness of breath or cough that will not go away. You will be checked for any lung problems while you are taking Pazopanib.
Seek medical help immediately if you get any of these symptoms.
Thyroid problems
Pazopanib can lower the amount of thyroid hormone produced in your body. This can result in weight increase and tiredness. You will be checked for thyroid hormone levels while you are taking Pazopanib.
Tell your doctor if you notice significant weight gain or tiredness.
Blurry or impaired vision
Pazopanib can cause separation or tear of the lining of the back part of the eye (retinal detachment or tear). This can result in blurry or impaired vision.
Tell your doctor if you notice any change in your vision.