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avapritinib
avapritinib
What is the most important information I should know about avapritinib?
What is the most important information I should know about avapritinib?
Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.
What is avapritinib?
What is avapritinib?
Avapritinib is used in adults to treat a certain type of cancer that affects the stomach, esophagus, or intestines. This medicine is used when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) or cannot be removed with surgery.
Avapritinib is used if your cancer has a specific genetic marker (an abnormal "PDGFRA" gene). Your doctor will test you for this gene.
Avapritinib can also be used in adults to treat certain rare blood disorders, including advanced systemic mastocytosis, aggressive systemic mastocytosis, systemic mastocytosis with an associated hematological neoplasm, and mast cell leukemia.
Avapritinib is not recommended for the treatment of advanced systemic mastocytosis in people with low platelet counts.
Avapritinib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking avapritinib?
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking avapritinib?
Tell your doctor if you:
- have low platelets counts;
- have bulging or weakening of a blood vessel wall (aneurysm);
- have ever had bleeding in your brain; or
- had a stroke within the last year.
You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.
Both men and women using this medicine should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Avapritinib can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or father is using this medicine.
Keep using birth control for at least 6 weeks after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using avapritinib.
Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.
How should I take avapritinib?
How should I take avapritinib?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take avapritinib on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
If you vomit shortly after taking avapritinib, do not take another dose. Wait until your next scheduled dose time to take the medicine again.
Do not change your dose or stop taking avapritinib without your doctor's advice.
Your blood may need to be tested often.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if your next dose is due in less than 8 hours. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking avapritinib?
What should I avoid while taking avapritinib?
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
What are the possible side effects of avapritinib?
What are the possible side effects of avapritinib?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- a severe headache, vision problems;
- unusual changes in mood or behavior;
- problems with speech, thinking, or memory;
- confusion, hallucinations (seeing objects or hearing things that are not real);
- severe drowsiness or dizziness;
- trouble sleeping; or
- severe weakness on one side of your body.
Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.
Common side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain;
- diarrhea, constipation;
- fluid retention, swelling;
- feeling dizzy, weak, or tired;
- muscle weakness;
- watery eyes;
- rash; or
- hair color changes.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect avapritinib?
What other drugs will affect avapritinib?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Other drugs may affect avapritinib, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about avapritinib.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
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