How do you take Cabazitaxel?

This is NOT a drug you take at home by yourself. It is given as a drip (intravenous infusion) into your vein by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or cancer treatment centre. The usual dose is 25 mg per square metre of your body surface area, given once every 3 weeks over about 1 hour. Your doctor will also give you steroid medicines before the infusion to reduce side effects.

What are the side effects of Cabazitaxel?

Low blood cell count (which can make you feel very tired and weak), diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, body pain especially in the back and joints, loss of appetite

Who should not take Cabazitaxel?

People who are allergic to cabazitaxel or polysorbate 80, people with very low white blood cell counts (neutrophils), people with severe liver problems, and pregnant or breastfeeding women should NOT receive this drug.

Prescription

Chemotherapy (Taxane anti-cancer drug)

Cabazitaxel

Last reviewed July 2026

Who is this for?

For adults (18+). Standard adult dosing applies: see the How to Take tab for full instructions.

What is this drug?

Cabazitaxel (sold as Jevtana in Nigeria) is a strong cancer-fighting drug that works by stopping cancer cells from growing and dividing, eventually killing them.

How it works

Binds to beta-tubulin and stabilizes microtubule polymers, preventing microtubule depolymerization and disrupting mitotic spindle formation, thereby inhibiting cancer cell division and inducing apoptosis. Demonstrates reduced affinity for drug efflux pumps compared to docetaxel, allowing activity in taxane-resistant tumours.

What is it used for?

Advanced prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, especially when other cancer treatments like docetaxel have already been tried and stopped working

Browse by condition

Cancer Treatment

Prescription Required

You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.

Quick Interaction Check

Is Cabazitaxel safe to take with another drug?

Check with multiple drugs →

Similar drugs

Paclitaxel

Explore this drug

What to watch out for

This is a very serious cancer medication, so only receive it from a qualified oncologist (cancer specialist) in a proper hospital setting, never from unverified sources. Report any fever, chills, or signs of infection to your doctor immediately as your immune system will be weakened. Make sure you attend all your follow-up blood tests so your doctor can monitor your blood counts closely.

Common Side Effects

Low blood cell count (which can make you feel very tired and weak)
diarrhoea
nausea and vomiting
body pain especially in the back and joints
loss of appetite

Serious Side Effects

Severe infection or high fever
especially if your white blood cells drop dangerously low (this can be life-threatening)
serious allergic reaction during or after the infusion (difficulty breathing, swelling, rash)
blood in stool or severe diarrhoea that does not stop. Go to the hospital immediately if any of these happen.

Drug Interactions

Avoid ketoconazole and other strong antifungal drugs as they can dangerously increase cabazitaxel levels in your body. Rifampicin (used for TB treatment) can reduce the effectiveness of cabazitaxel. Avoid alcohol during treatment as it puts extra stress on your liver.

Check your specific combination

Is it safe to take Cabazitaxel with your other drugs?

Check →

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Warning

Cabazitaxel is NOT safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding; it can cause serious harm to an unborn baby, and men receiving this treatment should use contraception to avoid fathering a child during and for some months after treatment.

Who Should NOT Take This

People who are allergic to cabazitaxel or polysorbate 80
people with very low white blood cell counts (neutrophils)
people with severe liver problems
and pregnant or breastfeeding women should NOT receive this drug.

How to Store

This drug is stored and handled in the hospital or pharmacy, so you will not normally keep it at home. It should be kept away from direct sunlight and heat, stored below 30°C, and always kept far from children.

For information only: not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.