Just started Pazopanib, when can I expect side effects to start

Hi Remoh,

I'm afraid that I did not keep a record when I started on Pazopanib and as it is over 5 years since I started I have only vague recollections.  I remember having to read the list of side effects and then almost waiting to see which one I got first.  If I recall correctly the first thing that happened was that my blood pressure increased but that I would not have known this if I had not been monitored so closely.  At the time I was on two weekly observations so I suspect that it was two weeks after I started.  I was already on some blood pressure meds so they increased these and it quickly settled down.

I think that the next thing I noticed was a change in taste.  I suddenly realised that a banana I was eating had no taste at all, this resolved itself after a few weeks although a metallic aftertaste did last for some time.  After that is was having very loose bowel movements and I think that this was probably with about the first four to six weeks.

I'm afraid it is the old maxim of everyone is different and as such you will probably experience different side effects and at different stages of treatment.  I have been lucky in experiencing relatively few side effects and still being able to tolerate that maximum 800mg dose.  Many others have controlled the side effects by reducing the dosage of medication whilst still retaining the effectiveness of the treatment.

I'm sure others will be along to add their comments before too long.

Wishing you all the best on your treatment,

Gragon

Thanks for the detailed reply, I went on blood pressure meds before I started pazopanib as my BP was a bit high and I have a BP machine so I take a reading each day. I am waking up with a headache each morning but I'm currently recovering from major spinal surgery so it may be that as I have had two spinal surgeries in 10 weeks before starting these tablets. I was also on steroids before the op and just weaned off of those as I started the new meds so I'm struggling to know what's a side effect of stopping meds, starting meds etc etc. I guess its going to be a wait and see thing like most stuff with cancer. Hopefully I will be able to take these for as many years as you have 

Hi@remoh LikeGragon I've been on Pazopanib for some years, so can't quite remember the order of side effects. One of the first was definitely a rise in BP, for which I was put on Amlodipine,  The dosage was swiftly reduced to 600mg. My taste buds have gone up the creek which I manage by having 3'weeks on n 1 week off - as per oncologist's advice. I've only recently started doing this n will discuss it with him at my next appt on Thurs 8/10.

I am now ( 26/10) on 400mg. My oncologist reassures me I will still be ok re my cancer. I trust he's right!