Lomitapide capsules to control your cholesterol? Let's learn about this drug!

Sometimes our cholesterol levels rise unimaginably, don't they? This can happen especially due to certain genetic disorders that run in families. For such people, along with controlling their diet, a special medicine called Lomitapide is recommended by doctors. This usually comes in the form of capsules. `Juxtapid` is another brand name for this medicine.

What should I tell the doctor before starting this medication?

Okay, now if your doctor decides to give you this Lomitapide medication, there are a few things you need to tell your medical team (i.e. doctor, pharmacist). It's not a good idea to hide these things, because they could affect you. Here's what they are:

• Do you drink alcohol regularly? (This is very important)
• Do you have intestinal problems ?
• Do you have kidney disease ?
• Do you have liver disease ? (This is also very important!)
• Do you have pancreatic disease?
• Have you ever had an allergic reaction or unusual reaction to Lomitapide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives?
• Are you pregnant or trying to get pregnant?
• Are you a breastfeeding mother?

If any of these things apply to you, it would be a good idea to clearly explain them to your doctor.

How exactly do I use this medicine?

The way you take this medicine is also very important. You should take it exactly as your doctor tells you, according to the instructions on the prescription label.

• This medicine should be taken orally with a glass of water.
• The most important thing is to take this on an empty stomach. That means you should take it at least two hours after your dinner. Do not take this medicine with food.
• Do not break, crush, or chew this capsule. Swallow it whole.
• Never take this medicine with grapefruit juice.
• Take your medicine at the prescribed time and at the prescribed intervals as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more than the prescribed amount.
• Do not stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.

When you get this medicine from the pharmacy, you will be given a special information leaflet (`MedGuide`) . You should read this leaflet carefully each time you get a new medicine, even when you get a new one. It contains important information about this medicine.

If you are giving this medicine to young children, you should talk to a pediatrician about it. Special care may be needed.

What to do if you take too much medicine?

If that happens, that is, if you think you've taken more medicine than you thought, call a poison control center or the nearest hospital emergency department immediately. Don't waste time.

Important: This medicine is for you only. Do not give your medicine to others, even if they have the same problem as you.

What if I miss a dose of medication?

If you miss a dose, don't worry. Take your dose at your usual time the next day. However, if you miss a dose for more than a week, you should contact your doctor or a healthcare professional before starting the dose again.

Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)

Here's something to be very careful about. The drug Lomitapide can cause problems when taken with certain other medications. That is, interactions can occur.

Never take Lomitapide with these medications:

If you are taking any of the medications listed below, you should not take Lomitapide.

• `aprepitant`, `fosaprepitant`
• `berotralstat`
• `boceprevir`
• Calcium channel blockers like `diltiazem` and `verapamil`
• Some antibiotics like `ciprofloxacin`, `clarithromycin`, `erythromycin` and `telithromycin`
• Some antiviral medicines used for HIV or AIDS
• Some medications for fungal infections, such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole
• `conivaptan`
• `crizotinib`
• Grapefruit juice (this is not a drug, but there is an interaction)
• `imatinib`
• `nefazodone`

Lomitapide can also cause side effects with these medications:

The medications on this list may interact with Lomitapide, so it is important to tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medications.

• `acetaminophen` (paracetamol)
• `ambrisentan`
• `bicalutamide`
• Birth control pills
• Some medications for blood pressure, heart disease, and heart rhythm disorders
• Cholesterol-lowering medications such as `atorvastatin`, `lovastatin`, `simvastatin`, `cholestyramine`, and `colestipol`
• Some medications for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
• Some diabetes medications, such as saxagliptin and sitagliptin
• Some medicines for stomach upsets, such as `cimetidine` and `ranitidine`
• Medicines that prevent or treat blood clots, such as `warfarin`, `dabigatran`, and `ticagrelor`
• `cilostazol`
• `colchicine`
• `cyclosporine`
• `everolimus`
• `fexofenadine`
• `isoniazid`
• `isotretinoin`
• `lapatinib`
• `methotrexate`
• `nilotinib`
• `pazopanib`
• `sirolimus`
• Supplements like ginkgo biloba and goldenseal
• ``tamoxifen''
• `tetracycline`
• `topotecan`
• `zileuton`

Simply put, this list is not complete. Tell your doctor about all the medications, herbs, non-prescription drugs, and dietary supplements you take. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some things can interact with your medication.

Things to be careful about when taking this medicine

There are some things you should be careful about while using this medicine.

• Low-fat diet : To help prevent stomach problems while taking this medication, you should follow a low-fat diet. This means cutting out fatty foods and fried foods as much as possible.
• Vitamin E and fatty acids : This medication may reduce the absorption of some nutrients. Therefore, it is a good idea to take a supplement containing vitamin E and fatty acids every day while you are taking this medication. Ask your doctor or health care professional how to incorporate these into your diet.
• Pregnancy : Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you are planning to become pregnant or think you may be pregnant. It can cause serious side effects to your unborn baby. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information. There is a program for women who become pregnant while taking this medicine. You can join it by calling 1-877-902-4099 or by visiting www.juxtapid.com.
• Birth control pills : If you are using birth control pills, they may not work as well while you are taking Lomitapide. Therefore, talk to your doctor about using an additional or different method of birth control.
• Risk of liver damage : This medication can cause liver injury. This risk is even greater for people who drink alcohol while taking this medication. Therefore, do not have more than one alcoholic drink per day while taking this medication.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

Like any medicine, Lomitapide can cause side effects in some people, but not everyone gets them.

If you notice these symptoms, see a doctor immediately:

If you experience any of these side effects, you should tell your doctor or a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

• Allergic reactions : skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips or tongue.
• Dark urine .
• General ill feeling or flu-like symptoms .
• Light- colored stools.
• Loss of appetite , nausea.
• Right upper belly pain .
• Feeling unusually weak or tired .
• Yellowing of the eyes or skin - This is a symptom similar to jaundice.

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (but tell your doctor if they persist or are bothersome):

These usually subside within a few days, but if they persist or bother you a lot, tell your doctor.

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting

This list may not include all side effects. Talk to your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can also report side effects to the FDA in the United States (by calling 1-800-FDA-1088).

Where do I keep my medicine?

• Keep it out of the reach of children.
• Store at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius (59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Throw away any unused medicine left after the expiration date.

Finally, what to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, I hope you have some idea about this medicine called Lomitapide now. Remember, this is a medicine given for a very specific condition. The most important thing is to follow the doctor's instructions, say what you need to say without hiding it, and be aware of the side effects.

This leaflet is only a summary. It may not contain all the information you need. If you have any further questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. They will be able to help you.

Wishing you good health!

` Lomitapide, Juxtapid, cholesterol, high cholesterol, genetic diseases, heart disease, side effects, drug interactions