Hearing the word “cancer” linked to your health or a loved one’s can be deeply unsettling. The way ahead is exploring treatment options to stop the disease’s spread.
Votrient, a name you might come across, is a notable anticancer medication. This prompts questions about how Votrient works and if it can cure cancer.
It’s pressing to understand that cancer treatments, including medications like Votrient, aim to bring cancer into remission rather than curing it outright.
Understanding Votrient
Votrient, or pazopanib by its generic name, is utilized in battling specific cancer types, particularly advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and some forms of advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS).
It’s important to remember that Votrient isn’t a cure but a form of targeted therapy. Its role involves hindering specific proteins that fuel the growth and spread of cancer cells.
One of its primary tactics is blocking new blood vessels from forming around tumors, a method known as anti-angiogenesis.
Availability of Votrient
As of now, Votrient is only available under its brand name, with no generic or biosimilar versions on the market.
Generic drugs, which are exact copies of the active ingredient in brand-name medications, are a cost-effective alternative.
But Votrient’s active component, pazopanib, is not yet available in such forms.
Efficacy in Cancer Treatment
Votrient has shown effectiveness in slowing the advancement of certain cancers and, in some cases, shrinking tumors.
It’s approved for adult use and usually prescribed after other treatments have not yielded success. The active ingredient, pazopanib, zeroes in on specific proteins that aid in cancer’s growth and spread.
This precision makes it a targeted therapy option, differing from traditional chemotherapy approaches.
Side Effects of Votrient
Those undergoing Votrient treatment can experience side effects from mild to severe.
The following are some of the most common side effects:
- diarrhea
- high blood pressure
- nausea and vomiting
- reduced appetite
Many of these side effects might go away over a few days or weeks, but if they stick or worsen, consulting a healthcare provider is advisable.
How Votrient Works
Pazopanib, the active substance in Votrient, specifically targets receptors like vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR-1, -2, and -3), platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFR-β), and c-kit.
These receptors are focal in the angiogenesis pathway, which helps tumors form blood vessels.
Votrient disrupts the signaling pathways that tumors exploit for growth and blood supply by inhibiting these receptors, restricting tumor growth and potentially reducing tumor size.
Potential Long-Term Side Effects
Long-term side effects are a possibility with Votrient, including:
- liver damage
- heart failure
- changes in hair color
These effects can come up at any time during treatment and may persist even after discontinuation of the medication.
Discussion with a healthcare provider can give more insight into these potential side effects and their duration.
Important Precautions Before Use
Patients should inform their doctors about any allergies to this medication or others, as well as any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.
Votrient can cause allergic reactions, although these were not reported in clinical studies.
Symptoms can range from skin rash and itchiness to more severe reactions like swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can complicate breathing.
Considerations for Different Age Groups
The effects of pazopanib in children have not been thoroughly studied, meaning safety and efficacy in the pediatric population remain unestablished.
In elderly patients, while no specific geriatric-related issues have been identified, they may be more susceptible to certain side effects and may require dose adjustments due to age-related liver problems.
For women breastfeeding, the risk to infants has not been well studied, so weighing the potential benefits against the risks is necessary before commencing treatment.
As observed in this article, Votrient comes with potential side effects. It therefore needs careful consideration and discussion with healthcare providers to go for the most appropriate and effective use.
For more information, visit Canadian Pharmacy
