[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [VEGFR multikinase inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/vegfr-multikinase-inhibitors/) › Pazopanib # Pazopanib ## VEGFR multikinase inhibitors? VEGFR multikinase inhibitors ## High alert? An error with this medicine can cause serious harm: double checks and protocols are used. ## Pregnancy: avoid? Avoid in pregnancy. Can harm the fetus; pregnancy is avoided during treatment, and the team is told about pregnancy or breastfeeding. An oral VEGFR multikinase inhibitor for advanced kidney cancer and soft-tissue sarcoma. Boxed warning: liver damage; acid blockers cut its absorption. Updated Nov 1, 2026 Also called: pazopanib hydrochloride ## Quick facts **Group** [VEGFR multikinase inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/vegfr-multikinase-inhibitors/) **Target** VEGFR1-3, PDGFR, FGFR and KIT tyrosine kinases **Used for** Advanced renal cell carcinoma **Key effects** Diarrhoea · Hypertension · Change of hair colour **Monitor** Liver tests before starting · Blood pressure **ATC** L01EX03 No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline. On this page - The basics Mechanism of action - Indications - Adverse effects - Pharmacokinetics - Memory aid - Clinical What the labels mean - Safety Contraindications - Key interactions - What is monitored - Administration and safety - Pregnancy and breastfeeding - Nursing care - Study Test yourself - Connections Connections ## Mechanism of action ✂**VEGFR1-3, PDGFR, FGFR and KIT tyrosine kinases**Pazopanib ⓘ No pazopanib structure was used: the figure shows axitinib, which occupies the same ATP pocket of human VEGFR2. **Target in 3D:** VEGFR1-3, PDGFR, FGFR and KIT tyrosine kinases. PDB structure 4AG8 (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/4AG8) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom Pazopanib blocks the kinase of VEGFR1-3 together with FGFR, KIT, PDGFR and other kinases that support angiogenesis and tumour growth. In metastatic kidney cancer it is as effective as sunitinib and usually better tolerated. - Blocks VEGFR1-3, PDGFR, FGFR and KIT kinases - Tumour angiogenesis and growth signals stop ## Indications - Advanced renal cell carcinoma. [Renal cell carcinoma →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/renal-cell-carcinoma/) - Advanced soft-tissue sarcoma after chemotherapy. [Soft tissue sarcomas (liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma) →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/soft-tissue-sarcomas/) ## Adverse effects ### Common - Diarrhoea, nausea, taste changes, weight loss - Hypertension - Change of hair colour, lighter patches of skin, brittle nails - Fatigue and muscle or joint pain - Red, tender palms and soles ### Serious (rare, important) - Severe hepatotoxicity (boxed warning) - QT prolongation - Arterial thrombosis (heart attack, stroke) and bleeding - Gastrointestinal perforation - Heart failure; impaired wound healing ## Contraindications - Avoided when liver tests are already abnormal ## Key interactions **Proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers (omeprazole, esomeprazole, famotidine)** Lower its absorption; not started without the treating team's advice. **Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, ritonavir) and grapefruit** Raise its levels and its toxicity. **Strong CYP3A4 inducers (rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St John's wort)** Lower its levels and can make it fail. **Other QT-prolonging drugs (some antiarrhythmics, macrolides, antipsychotics)** Additive risk of QT prolongation and arrhythmia. ## What is monitored - Liver tests before starting, frequently in the first months, then regularly - Blood pressure - ECG and electrolytes ## Administration and safety - Oral tablets once daily on an empty stomach, away from meals, swallowed whole and not crushed. - Grapefruit, its juice and St John's wort are avoided because they change its levels. - Check the medication list for acid-reducing drugs. ## Pregnancy and breastfeeding Avoid in pregnancy. Can harm the fetus; pregnancy is avoided during treatment, and the team is told about pregnancy or breastfeeding. ## Nursing care - Make sure liver tests are done on schedule; teach to report jaundice or dark urine. - Measure blood pressure at every visit and teach home monitoring if ordered. - Explain that hair colour may change. - Teach to report bleeding, black stools, vomiting blood, severe abdominal pain, chest pain or stroke symptoms at once. ## Pharmacokinetics **Absorption** Oral tablets, on an empty stomach; drugs that lower stomach acid reduce its absorption. **Metabolism** Liver, mostly CYP3A. **Half-life** About 31 hours. ## Memory aid «PAZOpanib PAints the hair»: hair colour change, a boxed liver warning, and no acid blockers. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Why are proton pump inhibitors a problem with pazopanib? They reduce stomach acid and with it pazopanib absorption. ## Which test schedule follows pazopanib's boxed warning? Liver tests before starting, frequently during the first months and regularly afterwards. ## Besides kidney cancer, which tumour is pazopanib used for? Advanced soft-tissue sarcoma after chemotherapy. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/pazopanib/) [More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology) ## What the labels mean **High alert** An error with this medicine can cause serious harm: double checks and protocols are used. **Pregnancy: avoid** Avoid in pregnancy. Can harm the fetus; pregnancy is avoided during treatment, and the team is told about pregnancy or breastfeeding. ## Connections ## Related drugs 2 - [Sunitinib](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/sunitinib/) - [Axitinib](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/axitinib/) ## Related conditions 2 - [Renal cell carcinoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/renal-cell-carcinoma/) - [Soft tissue sarcomas (liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/soft-tissue-sarcomas/) [← Back to the class: VEGFR multikinase inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/vegfr-multikinase-inhibitors/) Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given. Sources: [Pazopanib: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a610013.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2016); [Pazopanib Hydrochloride - NCI](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/pazopanibhydrochloride) (National Cancer Institute, 2023); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=L01EX03) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/pazopanib/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/pazopanib/