Has your doctor prescribed you this medicine called Avapritinib as a treatment for a cancer condition? If so, let's talk briefly about this medicine, what it does to our body, how to use it, and what you need to be especially careful about. This information will be very important to you.
Simply put, what is Avapritinib?
Avapritinib is a drug used to treat several specific types of cancer. It is primarily used to treat a type of cancer that develops in the gastrointestinal tract, called gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) . It is also used to treat some types of cancer that develop in the blood and bone marrow.
Simply put, this medicine works by blocking a special protein in our bodies that helps cancer cells grow and multiply (divide and multiply). It's like blocking a food source for cancer cells. Then the cancer cells start to spread or stop.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
It is very important that your doctor has a complete picture of your health. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to inform your doctor before starting this medication.
| Health condition or fact | Why should you be informed? |
|---|---|
| If a blood vessel wall has weakened and bulged (Aneurysm) | Because this medicine can increase the risk of bleeding. |
| If you have had a previous stroke | It is important for the doctor to be aware of risk factors related to the brain. |
| If there is bleeding in the brain | This is a serious condition, so care must be taken regarding the risk of recurrence. |
| If you have liver disease | Because the liver affects the process of removing the drug from the body. |
| If the number of blood platelets is low | Because the risk of bleeding may increase. |
| If you have an allergy to avapritinib or any other medicines, foods, or dyes | To avoid allergic reactions. |
| If you are trying to get pregnant or are currently pregnant | This medicine may harm the baby in the womb. |
| If the baby is breastfed | The medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do I use this pill?
To get the most out of a medication, it is very important to use it correctly.
- Swallow this tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet.
- Try to take your medicine at the same time every day. Make this a habit.
- This should be taken on an empty stomach. That is, at least an hour before or two hours after eating.
- Continue using this treatment until your doctor tells you to stop.
- Very important: Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication. It may affect the effectiveness of the medication.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't delay. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Remember: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share your medicine with anyone else.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is less than 8 hours until your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Can there be problems with other medications?
Yes, some medications can interact with Avapritinib. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, vitamins, and even supplements.
Problems can occur, especially with things like `ethinyl estradiol` (found in some birth control pills) and live virus vaccines. So it's safest to tell your doctor about everything you're taking.
Things to keep in mind when taking this medicine
It is very important to pay attention to the little things in your lifestyle while taking this medication.
- Medical tests: Go to the clinics at the scheduled times as prescribed by the doctor and check your condition. If you experience any side effects, tell the doctor about them.
- Driving and using machines: This medicine may make you feel sleepy, dizzy, or have trouble concentrating. Therefore, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Dizziness: To reduce the risk of dizziness, stand up slowly when getting up from a sitting or lying position. Drinking alcohol can make this condition worse.
- When brushing your teeth: This medication may slightly increase your risk of bleeding. So be careful when brushing your teeth and flossing. If you are going to have any dental treatment, tell your dentist that you are taking this medication.
- Sunlight: This medicine may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. So if you are going to be in the sun, wear clothing that covers your skin, use a good sunscreen, and avoid using tanning beds.
What you need to know specifically about pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility
This part is very important.
- Pregnancy: You should avoid taking this medicine if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Taking this medicine during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects in your baby. You should have a test to make sure you are not pregnant before starting treatment.
- Birth control: Be sure to use a highly effective form of birth control while taking this medication and for 6 weeks after stopping the medication. Talk to your doctor about the method that is right for you.
- For men: If your partner is able to get pregnant, use a condom during sex while you are taking this medicine and for 6 weeks after stopping the medicine.
- Breastfeeding: Avoid breastfeeding your baby while taking this medicine and for 2 weeks after stopping the medicine.
- Fertility: This medication may affect your ability to have children. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor before starting treatment.
What side effects can occur?
Like any medicine, Avapritinib can cause some side effects. Some of them should be reported immediately, while others usually subside over time.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Symptoms of a brain hemorrhage | Severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, dizziness, vision changes, numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, vomiting. |
| Mental and behavioral changes | Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or speaking, anxiety, agitation, hallucinations, anger, suicidal thoughts, depression. |
| Unusual bleeding or bruising | Bleeding that does not stop even from a small wound, and unexplained bruising on the skin surface. |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Digestive system problems | Stomach ache, diarrhea, nausea. |
| Swelling in the body | Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Other common features | Increased tearing of the eyes, skin reactions to sun exposure, unusual tiredness or fatigue. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any other unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor about them.
How do you keep your medicine safe?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Do not use any medicine left after the expiration date.
How do I dispose of unused and expired medicine?
It is not a good idea to release unused medications into the environment. Therefore, ask your doctor or hospital pharmacy about the safest way to dispose of them. If that is not possible, take the pills out of the bottle, mix them with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, and put them in a tightly sealed bag and put them in the trash.
Take-Home Message
- Avapritinib is an important drug in the treatment of cancer. Always take it as prescribed by your doctor, at the right time, and on an empty stomach.
- Never stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor.
- Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have and all other medications you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any serious side effects, such as severe headache, difficulty speaking, numbness in the body, or unusual bleeding.
- It is imperative to avoid pregnancy while taking this medication and for 6 weeks after stopping.
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