Cabozantinib is a targeted cancer medicine taken by mouth. As tablets (the Cabometyx presentation, 20/40/60 mg) it is used for advanced kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma), for liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) after sorafenib, and for some thyroid cancers that no longer respond to radioactive iodine. As capsules (the Cometriq presentation, 20/80 mg) it is used for medullary thyroid cancer.
The tablets and capsules deliver the drug differently and are not interchangeable — never swap one for the other, or change the dose, without your oncologist's instruction.
Cabozantinib blocks several of the signals that tumours use to grow and to build the blood vessels that supply them. It is taken once a day, continuously, on an empty stomach. Side effects such as diarrhoea, tiredness, hand-foot skin reaction and raised blood pressure are common and are usually managed by adjusting the dose. It is a prescription-only medicine; a valid prescription must be provided at checkout.