Cabometyx (Cabozantinib)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Cabometyx Used For?
Cabometyx contains the active ingredient cabozantinib and is a multi-kinase inhibitor used to treat several types of cancer.
Primary Uses
Cabometyx is used to treat advanced kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma), liver cancer in adults previously treated with sorafenib, differentiated thyroid cancer in adults and children 12 years and older that has spread and progressed after VEGFR-targeted treatment, and neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas, stomach, intestine, lung, or other body parts after previous treatment. It may also be given with nivolumab for advanced kidney cancer.
How It Works
Cabometyx works by blocking proteins called receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) that are involved in cell growth and blood vessel development. These proteins are often present in high amounts in cancer cells. By blocking them, Cabometyx can slow tumor growth and help cut off the blood supply that cancer needs.
How to Take Cabometyx
Cabometyx should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day without food.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is 60 mg taken once daily. When given with nivolumab for kidney cancer, the dose is 40 mg once daily. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water – do not crush them. Do not eat for at least 2 hours before taking Cabometyx and for 1 hour after. Avoid grapefruit juice and grapefruit products while using this medicine.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If there are 12 hours or more before your next dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is due in less than 12 hours, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
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:
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation
- Fatigue and weakness
- High or low blood pressure
- Rash or skin problems
- Mouth pain or sores
- Headache and dizziness
- Cough and shortness of breath
- Joint and muscle pain
- Changes in blood test results
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe bleeding (vomiting blood, black stools, bloody urine, coughing up blood)
- Gastrointestinal perforation (severe belly pain, fever, vomiting)
- Blood clots (swelling, pain in hands/feet, shortness of breath)
- Liver problems (drowsiness, confusion, loss of consciousness)
- Lung infection or inflammation (coughing, difficulty breathing)
- Kidney failure
- Heart rhythm changes or heart attack
- Stroke or seizures
- Wound healing problems
- Blood vessel problems (aneurysms, tears)
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Cabometyx.
Who Should Not Take Cabometyx
Do not use Cabometyx if you are allergic to cabozantinib or any ingredients in the medicine. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching, or hives.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, aneurysm or blood vessel tear, recent significant bleeding, recent surgery (including dental), inflammatory bowel disease, recent blood clots/stroke/heart attack, liver or kidney disease, heart conditions or slow heart rate, diarrhea, or sugar intolerance (tablets contain lactose).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Cabometyx should not be taken during pregnancy and may affect fertility. Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine and for at least 4 months after stopping. Use effective contraception. Do not breastfeed while taking Cabometyx and for at least 4 months after treatment ends. Oral contraceptives may be ineffective while using Cabometyx.
Drug Interactions
Several medicines may interfere with Cabometyx and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you take.
Grapefruit interaction: Avoid grapefruit juice and grapefruit products as they may increase Cabometyx levels in your blood.
- Antifungal medicines (itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole)
- Antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin)
- Allergy medicines (fexofenadine)
- Heart medicines (ranolazine, ambrisentan, digoxin, tolvaptan)
- Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital)
- St. John’s Wort
- Blood thinners (warfarin, dabigatran etexilate)
- Diabetes medicines (saxagliptin, sitagliptin)
- Gout medicines (colchicine)
- HIV/AIDS medicines (efavirenz, ritonavir, maraviroc, emtricitabine)
- Transplant medicines (ciclosporin)
- Oral contraceptives
Alcohol & Driving
Cabometyx may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Treatment with Cabometyx may make you feel tired or weak and can affect your ability to drive or operate machines. Be careful until you know how this medicine affects you.
Storage
Keep Cabometyx in the original container in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 25°C. Store away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on windowsills. Keep out of reach of children. The bottle contains silica gel desiccant canisters – keep them in the bottle and do not swallow them.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Cabometyx, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Cabometyx should not be taken with food. You should not eat anything for at least 2 hours before taking the medicine and for 1 hour after taking it.
If there are 12 hours or more before your next dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is due in less than 12 hours, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose.
No, you should avoid grapefruit juice and grapefruit-containing products while using Cabometyx as they may increase the levels of the medicine in your blood.
Do not stop taking Cabometyx suddenly without talking to your doctor first. Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you to.
Cabometyx works by blocking proteins involved in cancer cell growth and blood vessel development. Your doctor will monitor your progress through regular appointments to check how well the treatment is working.
The source material does not specify age restrictions for adults, but it notes that Cabometyx is not recommended for children under 12 years except for certain thyroid cancers. Discuss with your doctor if you have concerns about age-related risks.
There is no information in the source material suggesting that Cabometyx is addictive. It is a cancer treatment medication that works by blocking specific proteins involved in tumor growth.
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.