No, Votrient is not a chemotherapy treatment but it is an oral drug used to treat cancer. It is considered a targeted drug therapy. Targeted drug therapies attack specific weaknesses in cancer cells. Votrient helps slow down the growth of blood vessels that feed tumor growth.
Votrient is classified as a VEGF/VEGFR inhibitor. Targeted drug therapy like Votrient (generic name: pazopanib) works by blocking specific pathways that allow the cancer to grow uncontrolled.
- Targeted drug therapies find and attack specific types of cancer cells and may cause less damage to healthy cells, but common and serious side effects may still occur with targeted drug therapies.
- Chemotherapy works by killing rapidly growing cancer cells, but also can affect normal cells. It is often given intravenously (IV) into your vein, but can also be taken orally.
How does Votrient work in cancer?
Votrient is approved to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) and soft tissue sarcoma (a tumor that develops around blood vessels, tendons, joints, muscles, or organs) in adults. It is an oral drug taken once daily by mouth.
- Votrient is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor (VEGF/VEGFR inhibitor). VEGF is important for the growth of blood vessels to supply nutrients to the tumor cells.
- Votrient works by blocking cell proteins and signals to help slow down the growth of new blood vessels that fuel the growth of cancer.
- Even though Votrient targets specific proteins, it can still harm normal cells and cause serious side effects.
Common side effects with Votrient that occurred in at least 1 out of every 5 patients (20%) in studies include diarrhea, high blood pressure, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, anorexia (loss of appetite) and hair color changes, among many other side effects.
Talk to your doctor about side effects that may occur with Votrient before you start treatment.
Learn More:
Votrient Side Effects (in more detail)
This is not all the information you need to know about Votrient (pazopanib) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the full Votrient information here, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.