Has your doctor told you to start taking Berotralstat? Or has someone in your family been prescribed this medication? It's normal to have a few questions and curiosity about a new medication. So today, let's talk very simply about this medication called Berotralstat, that is, what it is for, how exactly it is used, and what things to be careful about.
Simply put, what is Berotralstat?
Berotralstat is a type of medication. To be precise, it belongs to the class of drugs called `plasma kallikrein inhibitors`. Its brand name is `Orladeyo`.
Now you might be wondering what this is all about. This medication is mainly used to prevent attacks of swelling that occur in a condition called Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) .
Hereditary Angioedema is simply a rare genetic condition. It causes sudden, unexplained swelling of various parts of the body (such as the face, hands, feet, throat, and intestines). This swelling can be painful. Berotralstat is used to prevent sudden swelling. It is important to remember that this is not a treatment for swelling that has already occurred, but a treatment to prevent it from occurring in the future.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before prescribing Berotralstat to you, your doctor will ask you a few questions. However, you should definitely tell your doctor about the following things. Do not hide these things, as they are very important for your safety.
- If you have a kidney-related condition.
- If you have a liver disease.
- If you have had an allergic reaction to Berotralstat or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
By giving this information to your doctor, he or she can create the most appropriate and safest treatment plan for you.
The correct way to use the medicine
To get the most out of this medication, it is very important to use it exactly as prescribed.
- This is a medicine that comes in the form of a capsule and is taken orally.
- Make it a habit to take your medicine at the same time every day. This will help keep the concentration of the medicine in your blood at the same level.
- Take this medicine with food . Do not take it on an empty stomach.
- Continue taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop halfway.
- Most importantly: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
If you give this medicine to children...
This medicine is sometimes prescribed to children over 12 years of age. But this is only done in special cases and under medical supervision. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to a child, you should follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have accidentally taken too much of this medicine, you should take immediate action. Do not panic and go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) as soon as possible. Alternatively, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
Sometimes you forget to take your medicine. If this happens, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
Other medications that may interact with Berotralstat
It is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal products, and vitamins. Berotralstat can interact with some other medications.
The table below lists several such medications.
| Reaction type | Medicines |
|---|---|
| Do not take this medicine with any other medicine. |
|
| This medicine may interact with other medicines (take only under medical advice) |
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about everything you take. Also tell him if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Side effects that may occur when taking medication
As with any medication, Berotralstat has a certain chance of causing side effects. Some are not that serious, but some we need to be very careful about.
| Symptoms that should be reported to your doctor or ETU immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Changes in heart rate | Difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness, feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly, fainting. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, fever, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right side of the stomach, and extreme fatigue. |
| Symptoms that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Digestive system problems | Stomach pain, bloating (diarrhea), vomiting, gas, heartburn. |
| Other common features | Back pain, headache, unusual fatigue. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
How should I store the medicine?
To maintain the quality of medicines, they must be stored correctly.
- Store at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat or cold.
- Keep it in a safe place out of reach of children and pets.
- Check the expiration date on the medicine packet and discard expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Berotralstat is a medication used to prevent Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) attacks .
- Take this medicine at the same time every day, with food.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications and herbal products you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a serious side effect, such as allergic reactions, changes in heart rate, or signs of liver damage.
- Never share your medicine with others.
- Visit your doctor on scheduled days to learn about your condition and the effectiveness of the medication.
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