Phenomena of heart failure
During therapy with axitinib, signs and symptoms of heart failure should be periodically monitored. Treatment of heart failure may require temporary or permanent cessation of taking axitinib and / or reducing its dose.
Arterial hypertension
There are reports of increased blood pressure when using the drug Inlita®. In general, this side effect is noted during the first month of therapy, mainly in the first four days. Before the beginning of therapy with axitinib, blood pressure should be adjusted. In the future, careful monitoring of patients to increase blood pressure and, if necessary, the appointment of standard antihypertensive therapy.With the development of persistent arterial hypertension, despite the use of antihypertensive drugs, a dose reduction of axitinib is necessary. Should cease therapy with axitinib in the development of severe and persistent arterial hypertension that does not lend itself to antihypertensive therapy and does not stop when the dose of Inlita® is reduced. It is also necessary to evaluate the feasibility of canceling therapy with axitinib when symptoms of hypertensive crisis appear. It should be borne in mind that after the abolition of axitinib, patients receiving antihypertensive drugs should be observed for arterial hypotension.
Arterial thromboembolism
There are reports of the development of arterial thromboembolism (including transient ischemic attack, cerebral circulatory disorders, myocardial infarction and retinal artery occlusion), including 2 fatal cases associated with impaired cerebral circulation.
Caution should be exercised when using the preparation of Inlita ® in patients with risk factors for arterial thromboembolism or having similar episodes in the anamnesis. It should be taken into account that the preparation of Inlita® has not been studied in patients who underwent arterial thromboembolism in the previous 12 months.
Venous thromboembolism
There are also reports of venous thromboembolism (including pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, retinal vein occlusion, and retinal vein occlusion), including cases of pulmonary embolism with lethal outcome.
Caution should be exercised when using the preparation of Inlita® in patients with risk factors for venous thromboembolism or having similar episodes in the anamnesis.
It should also be taken into account that the preparation of Inlita® has not been studied in patients who have had venous thromboembolism in the previous 6 months.
Thyroid dysfunction
It is recommended to perform a thyroid gland function before beginning therapy with axitinib, and then periodically during the treatment. Correction of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism should be carried out in accordance with standard principles until the euthyroid state is reached.
Assessment of hemoglobin or hematocrit concentration
On the background of therapy with axitinib, an increase in the concentration of hemoglobin or hematocrit may be observed, reflecting the increase in erythrocyte mass in the body. This phenomenon may increase the risk of thromboembolism.
It is recommended to monitor the concentration of hemoglobin or hematocrit before the initiation of therapy with axitinib and periodically during it. Correction of an increase in the concentration of hemoglobin or hematocrit above the upper limit of the norm is made in accordance with standard principles.
Bleeding
There have been reports of cases of bleeding in patients who received axitinib (including intracranial hemorrhage, hematuria, hemoptysis, hemorrhage from the lower gastrointestinal tract and melena), including one fatal case (gastric bleeding).
Please be aware that the drug Inlita® has not been studied in patients with evidence of metastatic lesions of the brain, about which has not been appropriate treatment, as well as in patients with a recent history of, or currently available gastrointestinal bleeding. In this regard, do not use the drug Inlita ® in these groups of patients. With the development of any bleeding that requires medical attention, axitinib therapy should be temporarily discontinued.
Perforation of the gastrointestinal tract and fistula formation
In clinical trials, cases of perforation of the gastrointestinal tract and fistula formation have been reported, including fatal cases. Against the background of therapy with axitinib, periodic monitoring is necessary for the clinical manifestations of these conditions.
Wound healing disorders
Formal studies of the influence of axitinib on the processes of wound healing were not conducted.
Therapy with axitinib should be stopped at least 24 hours before the scheduled surgical intervention. The decision to resume therapy with axitinib in the postoperative period should be based on the results of a clinical evaluation of the course of the wound process.
Syndrome of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy (COPD)
PSSD is a neurological disorder that can be manifested by headache, seizures, inhibition, confusion, blindness and other visual and neurological disorders. It is possible to increase blood pressure from mild to severe severity. The diagnosis of COPD is confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. It should stop using the drug Inlita® in patients with clinical manifestations of COPD.
The safety of the resumption of axitinib therapy in patients with a previous history of COPD is unknown.
Proteinuria
It is recommended to screen for proteinuria before the beginning of therapy with axitinib and periodically on the background of treatment. With the development of proteinuria of moderate or severe severity, a dose reduction or temporary discontinuation of the Inlita® preparation is necessary.
Increased activity of "liver" enzymes
It is recommended to study the activity of ALT and ACT and the concentration of bilirubin before the initiation of therapy with axitinib and periodically on the background of treatment.