Cabozantinib

The Basics

What is Cabozantinib?

Used to treat medullary thyroid cancer and a second line treatment for renal cell carcinoma among others.

Brand names for Cabozantinib

Cabometyx

How Cabozantinib is classified

Antineoplastic Agents, Enzyme Inhibitors, Protein Kinase Inhibitors, Signal Transduction Inhibitors, Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

Cabozantinib During Pregnancy

Cabozantinib pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Cabozantinib while pregnant

Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY], CABOMETYX can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available data in pregnant women to inform the drug-associated risk. In animal developmental and reproductive toxicology studies administration of cabozantinib to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis resulted in embryofetal lethality and structural anomalies at exposures that were below those occurring clinically at the recommended dose (see Data). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Taking Cabozantinib While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Cabozantinib?

No information is available on the clinical use of cabozantinib during breastfeeding. Because cabozantinib is more than 97% bound to plasma proteins, the amount in milk is likely to be low. However, its half-life ranges from 55 to 99 hours and it might accumulate in the infant. The manufacturer recommends that breastfeeding be discontinued during cabozantinib therapy and for 4 months after the last dose.

Maternal / infant drug levels

No information is available on the clinical use of cabozantinib during breastfeeding. Because cabozantinib is more than 97% bound to plasma proteins, the amount in milk is likely to be low. However, its half-life ranges from 55 to 99 hours and it might accumulate in the infant. The manufacturer recommends that breastfeeding be discontinued during cabozantinib therapy and for 4 months after the last dose.

Possible effects of Cabozantinib on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Cabozantinib

None listed