Inlyta (Axitinib)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Inlyta Used For?
Inlyta contains the active ingredient axitinib and belongs to a group of medicines called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It is specifically designed to treat kidney cancer.
Primary Uses
Inlyta is used to treat a certain type of kidney cancer called renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
How It Works
Inlyta works by reducing the blood supply to the tumor and slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
How to Take Inlyta
Your doctor will determine the right dose for you and provide specific instructions. It’s important to follow these instructions carefully and continue taking Inlyta for as long as your doctor tells you to.
Dosage Instructions
For kidney cancer, the usual starting dose is one 5 mg tablet taken twice daily (total of 2 tablets per day). Your doctor may increase or decrease your dose based on how you respond to treatment. Swallow tablets whole with water. You can take Inlyta with or without food. Take each dose at the same time each day for best results.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take your next dose at your regular scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- diarrhea
- tiredness
- loss of appetite
- hoarseness or voice changes
- tingling or rash on palms or soles
- weight loss
- weakness
- constipation
- sensitivity to cold
- unintentional weight gain
- lack of energy
- mouth, tongue or throat soreness
- stomach ache
- indigestion
- headache
- hand or foot pain
- muscle pain
- joint pain
- taste changes
- rash
- dry skin
- skin redness
- scaly skin
- itchy skin
- dehydration
- nosebleeds
- hemorrhoids or rectal bleeding
- hair loss
- unusual urine color
- ringing in ears
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- high blood pressure with headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting
- foamy urine with swelling of abdomen, legs or eyes
- little or no urination, ankle/foot swelling, confusion, nausea, vomiting, breathlessness, tiredness or weakness
- leg swelling, leg pain, cough
- chest pain or pressure, arm/back/neck/jaw pain, shortness of breath
- numbness or weakness on one side of body, loss of coordination
- trouble speaking or swallowing
- confusion, trouble seeing, seizures or fits
- severe stomach/upper abdominal pain spreading to back with vomiting, fever or fast heartbeat
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before and during treatment with Inlyta.
Who Should Not Take Inlyta
Do not use Inlyta if you are allergic to axitinib or any of the ingredients listed in the medication. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: high blood pressure, an aneurysm (abnormal balloon-like swelling in artery wall), thyroid gland problems, blood clots in veins/arteries or lungs, history of stroke or heart attack, bleeding problems, unhealed wounds or scheduled surgery, liver problems, serious kidney problems (other than the cancer being treated), or lactose intolerance.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Inlyta should not be taken during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss the risks with you. You should not breastfeed while taking Inlyta. Men and women should use contraception to prevent pregnancy during treatment.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Inlyta and affect how it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines or different medicines entirely.
Grapefruit interaction: Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit while taking Inlyta
- dexamethasone (steroid medicine)
- ketoconazole or itraconazole (antifungal medicines)
- clarithromycin or telithromycin (antibiotics)
- atazanavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir or saquinavir (HIV medicines)
- rifampin or rifabutin (tuberculosis medicines)
- nefazodone (depression medicine)
- phenytoin, carbamazepine or phenobarbital (anti-epileptic medicines)
- St John’s wort (herbal medicine for depression)
- theophylline (asthma medicine)
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with activities requiring alertness until you know how Inlyta affects you, as it may cause tiredness or dizziness.
Alcohol
No specific information about alcohol interaction is provided in the medication guide.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving, operating machinery or doing jobs that require alertness until you know how Inlyta affects you. Inlyta may make some people feel very tired or dizzy. If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting up, do so slowly.
Storage
Keep tablets in the original pack until time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 30°C, away from moisture, heat and sunlight. Do not store in bathroom, near sink, in car or on window sills. Keep away from children. Take expired or unwanted medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Inlyta, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you have no symptoms of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Inlyta works by reducing blood supply to tumors and slowing cancer growth. Your doctor will monitor your response through regular tests and may adjust your dose based on how well you respond to treatment.
Yes, you can take Inlyta either with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.
Do not stop using Inlyta suddenly or lower your dose without checking with your doctor. This medicine helps control your condition but does not cure it, so it’s important to keep taking it even if you feel well.
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take your next dose at your regular scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
No, do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit while taking Inlyta as it can interfere with how the medicine works.
Tell your doctor about all medical conditions including high blood pressure, heart problems, thyroid issues, bleeding problems, liver or kidney problems, and all other medicines you’re taking including vitamins and supplements.
Yes, your doctor will perform regular tests to monitor blood pressure, heart disease, stomach and bowel problems, kidney disease, thyroid levels, red blood cell count, and liver enzyme levels.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.