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gilteritinib
gilteritinib
What is the most important information I should know about gilteritinib?
What is the most important information I should know about gilteritinib?
Gilteritinib can cause a condition called differentiation syndrome, which affects blood cells and can be fatal if not treated. This condition may occur within 2 days to 3 months after you start taking gilteritinib.
Seek medical help right away if you have symptoms of differentiation syndrome: fever, cough, trouble breathing, bone pain, rapid weight gain, or swelling in your arms, legs, underarms, groin, or neck.
What is gilteritinib?
What is gilteritinib?
Gilteritinib is used to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults with an abnormal FLT3 gene. Your doctor will test you for this gene.
Gilteritinib is given after other cancer treatments did not work or have stopped working.
Gilteritinib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking gilteritinib?
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking gilteritinib?
You should not use gilteritinib if you are allergic to it.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- heart problems;
- long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); or
- an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).
Before you take this medicine, your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).
Gilteritinib can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or the father is using this medicine.
- If you are a woman, do not use gilteritinib if you are pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.
- If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 4 months after your last dose.
- Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using gilteritinib.
Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 2 months after your last dose.
How should I take gilteritinib?
How should I take gilteritinib?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
You may need frequent medical tests to be sure this medicine is not causing harmful effects. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.
Gilteritinib is usually given once per day. Take this medicine with a full glass of water, at the same time each day.
You may take gilteritinib with or without food.
Do not crush, chew, or break a gilteritinib tablet. Swallow it whole.
It may take several months before you receive the full benefit of taking gilteritinib. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with this medicine.
Do not change your dose or stop taking gilteritinib without your doctor's advice.
Store this medicine in the original container at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose on the same day you remember it. Skip the missed dose if your next dose is due in less than 12 hours. Do not use two doses within a 12-hour period.
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 gilteritinib?
What should I avoid while taking gilteritinib?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
What are the possible side effects of gilteritinib?
What are the possible side effects of gilteritinib?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Gilteritinib can cause a condition called differentiation syndrome, which affects blood cells and can be fatal if not treated. This condition may occur within 2 days to 3 months after you start taking gilteritinib.
Seek medical help right away if you have symptoms of differentiation syndrome:
- fever, cough, trouble breathing;
- bone pain;
- rapid weight gain; or
- swelling in your arms, legs, underarms, groin, or neck.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- headache, confusion, change in mental status, vision loss, seizure (convulsions);
- fever, chills, cough with mucus, chest pain;
- flu symptoms, mouth and throat ulcers;
- severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting;
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or
- fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out).
Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.
Common side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
- pain or sores in the mouth or throat;
- cough, shortness of breath;
- headache, dizziness;
- eye problems;
- muscle or joint pain;
- low blood pressure;
- swelling of your arms or legs;
- fever, tiredness;
- decreased urination;
- rash; or
- abnormal liver function tests.
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 gilteritinib?
What other drugs will affect gilteritinib?
Other drugs may affect gilteritinib, 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 gilteritinib.
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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