Uses
Gilteritinib is used to treat a certain type of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that has worsened or returned after treatment with other chemotherapy medications. Gilteritinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of a certain naturally occurring substance that may be needed to help cancer cells multiply.
Side Effects Of Gilteritinib
Gilteritinib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- joint or muscle pain
- extreme tiredness
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- mouth sores
- change in the ability to taste food
- headache
- loss of appetite
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those in the WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- seizures; headache; decreased alertness; confusion; or vision changes
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat; fainting; loss of consciousness; or seizures
- ongoing pain that begins in the stomach area but may spread to the back that may occur with or without nausea and vomiting
Gilteritinib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking gilteritinib:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to gilteritinib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in gilteritinib tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: certain antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), and ketoconazole; clarithromycin (Biaxin, in PrevPac); escitalopram (Lexapro); fluoxetine (Prozac); certain medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) such as efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Invirase); certain medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol, others), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); nefazodone; pioglitazone (Actos); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater); and sertraline (Zoloft). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with gilteritinib, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s wort.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a QT interval prolongation (an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to fainting, loss of consciousness, seizures, or sudden death); a slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat; or low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if you plan to father a child. You or your partner should not become pregnant while you are taking gilteritinib. If you are female, you will need to have a pregnancy test at least 7 days before you start treatment, and you should use birth control during your treatment and for 6 months after your final dose. If you are male, you and your partner should use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for 4 months after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you or your partner become pregnant while taking gilteritinib, call your doctor. Gilteritinib may harm the fetus.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed during your treatment with gilteritinib and for 2 months after your final dose.
Dosage Of Gilteritinib
Gilteritinib comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once daily with or without food for at least 6 months. Take gilteritinib at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take gilteritinib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the tablets whole with water; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Your doctor may adjust your dose or temporarily or permanently stop your treatment depending on how well the medication works for you and if you experience any side effects. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment. Continue to take gilteritinib even if you feel well. Do not stop taking gilteritinib without talking to your doctor.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order a lab test before you begin your treatment to see whether your cancer can be treated with gilteritinib. Your doctor will also order certain lab tests before and during your treatment to check your body’s response to gilteritinib. Your doctor may also order an electrocardiogram (ECG; test that measures the electrical activity in the heart) before and during your treatment.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
