Has your doctor prescribed Gilteritinib to treat you or someone you know for leukemia? It's normal to have some questions and concerns when learning about such a special medicine. That's why today we'll talk about Gilteritinib pills, how they work, and what to be careful about when using them.
Simply put, Gilteritinib is a drug that treats leukemia, a type of blood cancer. There is a special protein in our body that helps cancer cells grow and spread. What this drug does is stop the action of that protein. It's like stopping the "food" that goes to cancer cells. Then the growth and spread of cancer cells is controlled.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
It is essential that your doctor has a complete picture of your health before starting this treatment. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions below, you should definitely tell your doctor about it.
| Situation to be reported | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Having heart disease or an abnormal heartbeat pattern | This medication can sometimes affect heart rate, so it's important to be aware of this beforehand. |
| Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood | These mineral levels are directly related to heart rate. If they are low, they should be corrected before starting the medication. |
| Having an allergy to Gilteritinib or any other medicine, food, or dye | This is essential to prevent a serious allergic reaction. |
| Trying to get pregnant or currently pregnant | This medicine can cause serious harm to the baby in the womb. We will discuss this in more detail later. |
| Breastfeeding the baby | Breastfeeding is not recommended because the ingredients in the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
Taking a medication like this exactly and as prescribed is very important for the success of the treatment.
- Take this pill with a glass of water at the same time every day . Choose a time of day that is most convenient for you and that you will remember.
- Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet. Swallow it whole.
- This medicine can be taken with or without food. But the most important thing is that you take it the same way every day. If you take it with food, take it every day with food. If you take it without food, take it every day without food.
- You should continue taking this medicine until your doctor says, "Enough, stop."
When you are prescribed this medicine, you will receive a special information leaflet (MedGuide) about it. Read it carefully each time you take your medicine. It contains a lot of important information for you.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Sometimes we forget to take our medicine. If that happens, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose. That is, skip it and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Gilteritinib is a medication that can interact with some other medications, so it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements).
| Do not take this medicine with any other medicine. | |
|---|---|
| Dronedarone | Pimozide |
| Fluconazole | Saquinavir |
| Thioridazine | |
| Other things that may cause a reaction (tell your doctor) | |
|---|---|
| Some types of antibiotics | Some medications for HIV or Hepatitis |
| Some medications for depression | Some medications for fungal infections |
| Some medications for seizures | Other medications that affect heart rate |
| Grapefruit juice | St. John's wort (herbal supplement) |
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take, if you smoke, or if you drink alcohol.
Things to be careful about when taking medication
- Regular check-ups: Your doctor will need to see you regularly to see how your treatment is working. He or she will also order regular blood tests . Don't skip these.
- Pregnancy and family planning: This is a very important issue.
- For women:You should avoid getting pregnant while taking this medicine and for 6 months after stopping the medicine. You should take a pregnancy test before starting the medicine to make sure you are not pregnant. Use a very reliable form of birth control during this time.
- For men: If you are taking this medicine, avoid fathering a child while taking the medicine and for 4 months after stopping. Use a condom during sex during this time.
- Breastfeeding: Avoid breastfeeding your baby while taking this medicine and for 2 months after stopping.
What are the possible side effects?
Like all medications, this one can have side effects. Some of them can be serious and require immediate attention.
| If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. |
| Differentiation Syndrome Symptoms | Fever, cough, dizziness, difficulty breathing, bone pain, sudden weight gain, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Pancreatitis | Severe pain in the upper abdomen (this may spread to the back), pain that worsens after eating, fever, nausea, and vomiting. |
| PRES syndrome (Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome) | Sudden severe headache, confusion, vision changes, seizures. |
| Symptoms that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Bone, joint, or muscle pain | Constipation or diarrhea |
| Dizziness | Feeling weak, tired |
| Nausea | Sores, redness, swelling in the mouth or throat |
How do you store your medicine properly?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Keep the medicine in the original bottle it came in. Protect from light and moisture. Keep the bottle cap tightly closed.
- Do not use expired medicine.
What do you do with unused medicine?
Do not flush expired or unused medications down the toilet or simply throw them in the trash. There are safe ways to dispose of these into the environment. Ask your doctor for advice on this.
Take-Home Message
- Gilteritinib is a drug that plays an important role in the treatment of leukemia. It controls the growth of cancer cells.
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about all your health conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Take the prescribed dose, at the prescribed time, as prescribed by the doctor. Don't skip a dose.
- If serious side effects occur (changes in heart rate, severe pain, allergies), seek medical advice immediately.
- It is extremely important to avoid pregnancy while taking the pill and for a period of time afterward.
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