Uses
Glasdegib is used along with cytarabine as the first treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML; a type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells) in people over 75 years of age, or in adults who have other medical conditions and can not be treated with other chemotherapy medications. Glasdegib is in a class of medications called hedgehog pathway inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of a protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps stop or slow the spread of cancer cells.
Side Effects Of Glasdegib
Glasdegib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- muscle spasms
- muscle, bone, or joint pain
- extreme tiredness
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- constipation
- pain or sores in your mouth or throat
- decreased appetite
- change in the way things taste
- weight loss
- headache
- rash
- swelling of hands or legs
- hair loss
- toothache
Some side effects of glasdegib can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- feeling faint, lightheaded, or dizzy; fast or irregular heartbeat
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- fever alone or along with chills, weakness. or other signs of infection
- decreased urination
- chest pain
Glasdegib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking glasdegib:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to glasdegib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in glasdegib tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone), carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, others), chlorpromazine, cilostazol, citalopram (Celexa), clarithromycin, disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide, donepezil (Aricept), dronedarone (Multaq), efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla, Symfi), escitalopram (Lexapro), flecainide (Tambocor), fluconazole (Diflucan), haloperidol (Haldol), ibutilide (Corvert), indinavir (Crixivan), itraconazole (Sporanox, Onmel), ketaconazole, methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), nefazodone, nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ondansetron (Zofran, Zuplenz), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), pimozide (Orap), pioglitazone (Actos, in Oseni, Duetact, Actoplus Met), procainamide, quinidine (in Nuedexta), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifater, Rifamate), ritonavir (Norvir, in Viekira Pak, Kaletra, Technivie), sotalol (Betapace, Sorine, Sotylize), and thioridazine. 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 glasdegib, 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 prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death), heart failure (a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to other parts of the body), or low levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood.
- tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You should not breast-feed during your treatment with glasdegib and for at least 30 days after your final dose.
- you should know that this medication may decrease fertility in men. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking glasdegib.
Glasdegib Dosage
Glasdegib comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually given with or without food once a day for at least 6 months, or as long as your doctor recommends treatment. Take glasdegib 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 glasdegib 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; do not split, chew, or crush them.
If you vomit after taking glasdegib, do not take another dose. Continue your regular dosing schedule.
Your doctor may need to interrupt your treatment, reduce your dose, or stop your treatment depending on your response to the medication and any side effects that you experience. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with glasdegib.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests such as electrocardiograms (EKG, a test that records the electrical activity of the heart) and blood tests before and during therapy to make sure it is safe for you to take glasdegib and to check your body’s response to the medication.
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 on glasdegib has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
