Cabozantinib is a targeted cancer medicine. It can be used alone or with other drugs to help slow tumor growth and spread. You may see it as tablets (Cabometyx) or capsules (Cometriq). This overview explains key safety points and what to expect.
Brand Name(s)
- United States: Cabometyx; Cometriq (60 mg Daily Dose); Cometriq (100 mg Daily Dose); Cometriq (140 mg Daily Dose)
- Canada: Cabometyx
Warning(s)
Tell your care team about all your health conditions and everything you take, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Many medicines interact with cabozantinib.
- Allergies and bleeding risk: Do not take it if you are allergic to cabozantinib. Tell your doctor if you have active bleeding, recent bleeding, or have coughed up blood.
- Blood pressure and liver problems: High blood pressure can happen. Cabozantinib may be riskier if you already have high blood pressure or liver disease. You will need regular checks.
- Drug and food interactions: Some HIV, infection, seizure, and other medicines must not be taken with cabozantinib. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
- Surgery and wound healing: This drug can slow wound healing. You may need to stop it before surgery and restart afterward as directed by your doctor. Call right away if a wound does not heal or opens.
- Bone marrow effects: It may lower certain blood cells, raising the risk of infection, anemia, or bleeding. You will have blood tests as instructed.
- Bleeding: Bleeding can be serious or rarely life-threatening. Be cautious to avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and consider an electric razor.
- Stomach or bowel problems: Serious holes (perforations) or abnormal passages (fistulas) in the GI tract have happened. Get help right away for severe belly pain, vomiting blood, or black stools.
- Blood clots: Clots can cause heart attack or stroke. Call 911 for chest pain, trouble breathing, one-sided weakness, trouble speaking, or sudden vision changes. Also report new leg swelling, warmth, or pain.
- Heart effects: Heart failure has rarely happened. Call your doctor for shortness of breath, sudden weight gain, leg or arm swelling, or bulging neck veins.
- Brain condition (PRES): Rare but serious. Get help for confusion, seizures, severe headache, vision changes, or loss of vision.
- Jaw and dental problems: Severe jaw problems (osteonecrosis) have happened. Have a dental exam before starting. Keep good oral hygiene and tell your dentist you take cabozantinib.
- Thyroid, sugar, and electrolytes: Cabozantinib can affect thyroid function, blood sugar, and electrolytes. Report symptoms like unusual tiredness, shakiness, mood changes, muscle cramps, or fast heartbeat.
- Infections and dehydration: Fever, chills, sore throat, burning with urination, dizziness, dry mouth/skin, or fast breathing may signal infection or dehydration—call your doctor.
- Fertility: It may affect the ability to get pregnant or father a child. Talk with your doctor if you plan to have children in the future.
- Pregnancy and birth control: Cabozantinib can harm an unborn baby. You will need a pregnancy test before starting. Use effective birth control while taking it and for 4 months after the last dose. If you or your partner becomes pregnant, call the doctor right away.
- Breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.
Kind of Cancers It Is Used For (not a complete list)
- Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma), used alone or with other medicines.
- Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) in certain adults.
- Thyroid cancer, including medullary thyroid cancer and some differentiated thyroid cancers that have spread or gotten worse.
Your doctor may use cabozantinib with other drugs based on your cancer type and prior treatments.
Mechanism of Action
Cabozantinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). It blocks signals that cancer cells use to grow and spread and that tumors use to build new blood vessels.
- Targets include MET, VEGF receptors, AXL, and RET.
- By blocking these signals, it can slow tumor growth and reduce blood supply to the tumor.
Common Side Effects
Not everyone has side effects, and many are manageable. Call your care team if side effects are severe, do not improve, or worry you.
- Tiredness, weakness, or dizziness
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, or heartburn
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Stomach or belly pain
- Mouth irritation or mouth sores; change in taste
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Hand–foot skin reaction (redness or irritation on palms or soles), dry skin, or rash
- Voice changes
- Muscle spasms or joint pain
- Swelling
- Hair color changes or hair loss (more common with capsules)
Get urgent help for signs of serious problems: severe bleeding (vomit that looks like coffee grounds, black or red stools), chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden severe headache, confusion, seizures, trouble speaking, one-sided weakness, severe belly pain, or vision changes.
Last reviewed: 2025-12-15
