From the Guidelines
Pazopanib is administered orally as a tablet, typically at a standard dose of 800 mg once daily. The medication should be taken without food, at least one hour before or two hours after eating, as food can affect its absorption. Patients should swallow the tablets whole with water and not crush or break them. If a dose is missed, it should not be taken if it's within 12 hours of the next scheduled dose. Dose modifications may be necessary based on individual tolerability, with common adjustments including reduction to 600 mg or 400 mg daily if side effects occur. Pazopanib is typically taken continuously until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity develops. Regular monitoring of liver function, blood pressure, thyroid function, and cardiac status is essential during treatment, as pazopanib can cause various side effects including hepatotoxicity, hypertension, and cardiac events. The drug works by inhibiting multiple tyrosine kinases involved in tumor growth and angiogenesis, effectively blocking the formation of new blood vessels that supply tumors. According to the most recent study 1, pazopanib has demonstrated single-agent activity in patients with advanced STS subtypes except LPS, and has been included as a first-line therapy option for those with advanced or metastatic disease who are ineligible for intravenous systemic therapy or are not candidates for anthracycline-based regimens.
Some key points to consider when administering pazopanib include:
- The standard dose is 800 mg once daily, but dose modifications may be necessary based on individual tolerability 1
- The medication should be taken without food to minimize absorption effects 1
- Regular monitoring of liver function, blood pressure, thyroid function, and cardiac status is essential during treatment 1
- Pazopanib can cause various side effects, including hepatotoxicity, hypertension, and cardiac events, and dose adjustments may be necessary to manage these side effects 1
Overall, pazopanib is an effective treatment option for patients with advanced STS, and its administration should be carefully managed to minimize side effects and optimize treatment outcomes.
From the FDA Drug Label
Dosage and Administration: Advise patients to take pazopanib tablets without food (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) [see Dosage and Administration (2. 1)] Pazopanib is administered orally, in the form of tablets, and should be taken without food (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) 2.
From the Research
Administration of Pazopanib
- Pazopanib is administered orally, with a recommended dose of 800 mg daily until disease progression 3.
- The drug can be taken on an empty stomach 3.
- In cases where patients have difficulty swallowing whole tablets, pazopanib can be administered as a crushed tablet or oral suspension, with studies showing increased rate and extent of oral absorption relative to whole-tablet administration 4.
- However, the absolute oral bioavailability of the 800 mg pazopanib tablet ranges from 14% to 39% 5.
Dosage Adjustments
- Dose reduction may be required in patients with baseline elevation of hepatic function tests, particularly total bilirubin, with a minimum recommended dose of 200 mg daily 3.
- Pazopanib is a substrate of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, P-glycoprotein, and breast cancer resistance protein, and it weakly inhibits CYP3A4, CYP2C8, and CYP2D6, and potently inhibits UGT1A1 and OATP1B1, which may lead to potential drug interactions 3.