When treating you or a loved one for cancer, doctors prescribe a variety of medications. Ivosidenib is one such drug, especially used to treat bile duct cancer and some blood and bone marrow cancers. The name may sound a little unfamiliar. But don't worry. In this article, we'll explain everything about this drug in a very simple, conversational way.
Simply put, what is Ivosidenib?
Think of cancer cells as bad cells in our body that grow very quickly and out of control. These cells have a special protein that helps them grow and divide so quickly. This protein works like giving water and fertilizer to a bad tree.
This drug called Ivosidenib blocks the activity of that protein . It's like stopping the fertilizer from the bad tree. Then the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread is greatly reduced or completely stopped. This is the basic function of this drug. This drug is most commonly available on the market under the name Tibsovo .
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting any medication, it is important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. This is so that you can choose the most suitable and safest treatment for you. Before starting Ivosidenib, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Health condition or fact | Why is it important to inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Heart disease or heart rhythm irregularities | This medicine can sometimes affect the heart rhythm, so if you already have heart disease, your doctor should be especially careful about that. |
| Liver disease | The liver plays a major role in clearing out medications from our bodies. If there is any weakness in the liver, the doctor may have to change the dosage of the medication. |
| Kidney disease | Medications are eliminated from the body through the kidneys. If there is a problem with the kidneys, the doctor should be aware of that as well. |
| Decreased levels of sodium, potassium, and magnesium in the blood | Changes in these mineral levels can affect heart rate. It is important to check that these are within normal levels before starting medication. |
| Nervous system diseases such as Guillain-Barre syndrome | Since this medicine can affect the nervous system, it is essential to inform the patient if they already have such a medical condition. |
| Trying to conceive, being pregnant, or breastfeeding | This is very important . This medicine can harm the baby in the womb. It can also pass to the baby through breast milk. So be sure to talk to your doctor about this. |
| Allergies to other medicines, foods or substances | If you have any allergies to Ivosidenib or any other ingredients, please let us know in advance. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
As the doctor says, the most important thing is to take the right dose at the right time.
- How to take: This comes as a tablet. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet.
- Time: Try to take this medicine at the same time every day. This will ensure that the body receives the medicine in the same way.
- Food: You can take this medicine with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take the medicine with some food.
- Foods to avoid: Do not take this medicine with a high-fat meal. For example, fried foods with rice, fatty snacks, etc. Also, do not drink grapefruit juice . This can affect the effectiveness of the medicine.
- Stopping: No matter how uncomfortable you feel, do not stop taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to . Cancer treatment is a long journey.
It is normal to feel uncomfortable and unwell when taking chemotherapy drugs. This is because these drugs affect both cancer cells and some of the good cells in our body. But don't worry about it, inform your doctor about any side effects and follow his instructions.
What do you do if you miss a dose of medication?
We all forget to take our medicine sometimes. If that happens, don't worry.
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
- However, if it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Skip it and just take the next dose at the scheduled time.
- Never take two doses of medicine at once to make up for a missed dose.
- Also, if you vomit after taking the pill, do not take another pill at the same time. Take the pill as usual at the next scheduled time.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other drugs that may interact with Ivosidenib (Drug Interactions)
When you take Ivosidenib, you need to be very careful about using other medications. Some medications can interact with it and reduce or increase the effectiveness of Ivosidenib, or cause dangerous side effects.
Medications that should not be taken with Ivosidenib for any reason:
- Dronedarone
- Pimozide
- Thioridazine
Also, if you are taking the following medications, you should also tell your doctor about them:
- Some antiviral drugs given for HIV or Hepatitis
- Medicines for fungal infections (e.g. fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole)
- Medicines for irregular heartbeats (e.g. amiodarone, quinidine)
- Medicines for seizures (e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin)
- Estrogen and progestin hormones (may be contained in birth control pills)
- Rifampin (a medicine for tuberculosis)
- St. John's wort (an herbal supplement taken for mental health)
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins and herbal supplements) . Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
What are the possible side effects of taking the medicine?
Like any medicine, Ivosidenib can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common. The important thing is to be aware of these and take action quickly if necessary.
| Side effects that you should report to 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, difficulty breathing. |
| Differentiation Syndrome Symptoms | Fever, cough, difficulty breathing, bone pain, sudden weight gain, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. This is a serious condition. |
| Nervous system problems | Pain in the limbs, numbness, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, loss of body balance, seizures. |
| Elevated white blood cell count | Fever, extreme fatigue, night sweats, vision changes, weight loss. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Digestive system problems | Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite. |
| Other common disorders | Fatigue, joint pain, mouth or throat sores. |
Other things to pay special attention to
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- It is very important to avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine, as it can seriously harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about a birth control method that is right for you.
- Do not breastfeed your baby while taking this medicine and for one month after the last dose .
Effects on Fertility
This medication can affect fertility in both men and women. If you are planning to have children in the future, it is important to discuss this with your doctor before starting treatment.
How to store medicine?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius) away from moisture.
- Keep the medicine bottle tightly closed. Do not remove the desiccant packet inside the bottle.
- Do not use expired medication. Ask your doctor how to properly dispose of leftover or expired medication.
Take-Home Message
- Ivosidenib is a drug that controls the growth of cancer cells, especially for bile duct, blood, and bone marrow cancers.
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about all your health conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Take the medicine at the same time every day, exactly as your doctor tells you. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet.
- If you experience serious side effects (e.g., difficulty breathing, chest pain, facial swelling), seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, talk to your doctor about it openly. Don't be afraid or make decisions alone.
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