Serious adverse reactions and emergency treatment measures of axitinib

Axitinib/Axitinib has shown good efficacy in the treatment of solid tumors such as renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, as a targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, it may still cause some serious adverse reactions and requires great attention. One of the most common serious side effects is high blood pressure. Because the drug blocks the VEGF pathway, vascular endothelial function is impaired, leading to increased blood pressure. Once persistent hypertension or even hypertensive crisis occurs, the medication needs to be discontinued immediately, and antihypertensive drugs should be used for intervention. If necessary, the dose should be adjusted or the treatment plan should be changed.

In addition, axitinib may cause complications such as hand-foot syndrome, proteinuria, venous thromboembolism, and abnormal cardiac function. If the patient has persistent redness, swelling, blistering, peeling or even difficulty moving on the palms or soles of the feet, it indicates that he or she has developed moderate to severe hand-foot syndrome. At this time, the severity of the symptoms should be assessed immediately and relief measures should be taken, such as topical ointments, reducing friction and thermal stimulation, and medication should be suspended or reduced as appropriate. For proteinuria and decreased cardiac function, it is recommended to regularly monitor renal function and electrocardiogram to detect potential risks in advance.

Of particular note is the fact that axitinib may cause gastrointestinal perforation, bleeding events, or arterial events in some patients, especially when used concomitantly with anticoagulants. If a patient develops sudden abdominal pain, melena, hemoptysis, or confusion, it should be regarded as a potential medical emergency, and the drug should be discontinued quickly and sent to the hospital for treatment.

The key to dealing with these adverse reactions is early identification and individualized management. In clinical practice, it is recommended to regularly test blood pressure, renal function, electrolytes, liver enzymes and blood routine, and adjust the medication plan based on the test results. At the same time, patients should also maintain close communication with their doctors. Once they notice any obvious abnormalities in their body after taking the medicine, they should not stop taking the medicine on their own and should seek medical treatment in time.

Reference materials:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axitinib