Pazopanib in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer

Criteria: * No prior bevacizumab * Histologically or cytologically confirmed invasive breast carcinoma (recurrent or metastatic disease) * Measurable disease, defined as \>= 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion \>= 20 mm by conventional techniques or \>= 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Patients who may still benefit from hormonal therapy are ineligible (patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer should have received appropriate sequential hormonal therapy for metastatic disease until disease progression) * Patients with HER-2 positive disease who have not yet received trastuzumab (Herceptin®) to maximal benefit are ineligible (patients with disease progression during trastuzumab therapy are eligible) * No known brain metastases * ECOG performance status (PS) 0-1 or Karnofsky PS 60-100% * Life expectancy \> 12 weeks * Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,500/mm³ * Platelets \>=100,000/mm³ * Total bilirubin normal (exception made for patients with known Gilbert's disease) * AST/ALT =\< 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * No proteinuria \> +1 on two consecutive dipsticks taken \>= 1 week apart * PT/INR/PTT =\< 1.2 times ULN * No allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to pazopanib or other study agents * No QTc prolongation (defined as a QTc interval \>= 500 msecs) or other significant ECG abnormalities * No condition (e.g., gastrointestinal tract disease resulting in an inability to take oral medication or a requirement for IV alimentation, or active peptic ulcer disease) that would impair ability to swallow and retain study drug * No poorly controlled hypertension (systolic blood pressure \[BP\] \>= 140 mm Hg or diastolic BP \>= 90 mm Hg) Initiation or adjustment of BP medication is allowed prior to study entry provided that the average of 3 BP readings prior to study entry is \< 140/90 mm Hg * No serious or non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture * No abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation, or intra-abdominal abscess within the last 4 weeks * No cerebrovascular accident within the last 6 months * No myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmia, hospital admission for unstable angina within the last 12 weeks * No venous thrombosis within the last 12 weeks * No NYHA class III-IV heart failure Patients with a history of class II heart failure may be considered eligible provided they are asymptomatic on treatment * No concurrent uncontrolled illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection or psychiatric illness/social situations that would preclude study compliance * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C), radiotherapy, or surgery * No cardiac angioplasty or stenting within the last 12 weeks * No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for recurrent disease * No prior surgical procedures affecting absorption * No CYP2C9 substrates during or for 1-2 weeks after completion of study treatment, including any of the following: Therapeutic warfarin Low molecular weight heparin or prophylactic low-dose warfarin are allowed * No CYP2C9 substrates during or for 1-2 weeks after completion of study treatment, including any of the following: * Erectile dysfunction agents: sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil * Antiarrhythmics: bepridil, flecainide, lidocaine, mexilitine, amiodarone, or quinidine * Immune modulators: cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or sirolimus * Miscellaneous: theophylline, quetiapine, or risperidone * No CYP2C9 substrates during or for 1-2 weeks after completion of study treatment, including any of the following: * Oral hypoglycemics: glipizide, glyburide, or tolbutamide * Ergot derivatives: dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, or methylergonovine * Neuroleptics: pimozide * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients * No other concurrent investigational agents * No other concurrent anticancer therapy * WBC \>= 3,000/mm³ * No more than 2 prior palliative systemic chemotherapy regimens for de novo metastatic disease * Creatinine normal OR creatinine clearance \>= 60 mL/min * At least 3 months since prior trastuzumab