Diet while taking axitinib

Axitinib (Axitinib) is a targeted cancer drug. It is a treatment for kidney cancer that has spread (advanced kidney cancer). You usually get this when other treatments, such as sunitinib, no longer work. Some may consider it as a first-choice immunotherapy drug to treat advanced kidney cancer.

During axitinib treatment, a reasonable dietary arrangement is crucial to ensure drug efficacy, reduce side effects, and maintain the patient's overall health. Here are some recommendations for eating while taking axitinib:

Avoid irritating foods: First of all, patients need to avoid spicy, greasy, cold and irritating foods, such as peppers, garlic, mustard, fatty meats, cold drinks, etc. These foods may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and other uncomfortable symptoms, which is not conducive to recovery from the disease.

Limit the intake of red meat: During the medication period, patients should limit the intake of red meat (such as pigs, beef, mutton), and try to eat as little meat products that have been processed at high temperatures, such as red sausages, canned food, etc. The daily intake of red meat should be less than 90 grams, and fish and poultry can be substituted for red meat.

Avoid high-sugar and high-fat foods: Patients should limit the intake of high-energy, high-fat foods, such as fried foods, desserts, sugary drinks, etc. These foods may increase the burden on the body and affect the efficacy of the medicine.

Pay attention to cooking methods: When cooking food, patients should avoid using high-temperature processing methods, such as baking, frying, etc. It is best to use healthy cooking methods such as boiling, steaming, and stir-frying to reduce harmful substances in food.

Avoid alcohol: Alcohol may interact with axitinib, affecting the drug's efficacy and safety. Therefore, patients should strictly abstain from alcohol or limit their alcohol intake during medication.

Be careful with high-sodium diets: Since most patients taking axitinib are in the advanced stage of renal cell carcinoma, it is not recommended to consume high-sodium foods, such as pickles, soy sauce, etc., while taking the drug. These foods may cause water and sodium retention and increase the burden on the kidneys, which is not conducive to disease recovery.

In short, while taking axitinib, patients should follow the principles of a light, digestible, and balanced diet, avoid consuming irritating foods and drinks, limit the intake of red meat, high-sugar, and high-fat foods, pay attention to cooking methods, and strictly abstain from alcohol. In addition, patients should also develop a personalized diet plan under the guidance of a doctor to ensure the effectiveness of the drug and physical health.

Axitinib is now on the market in China and has been included in the medical insurance system. The price of the original drug is about 6,000 yuan for 28 tablets of 5 mg. After reimbursement, the price can be reduced to about 2,000 yuan. The specific reimbursement ratio varies by region. It is recommended to consult the local medical insurance bureau. In addition, the price of axitinib with the same specifications abroad is about 6,000 yuan. It is worth mentioning that the generic axitinib produced by Bangladesh's Bikang Pharmaceutical has a specification of 5 mg and 60 tablets, and the price is only 1,800 yuan.