Has your doctor prescribed you or someone in your family a medicine called Midostaurin? You may be a little scared when you hear the name. But don't worry. This is a very advanced, specialized treatment that kills cancer cells. So there are some important things you need to know when using this medicine. Let's talk about it all in a simple way that you can understand.
What is this Midostaurin?
Simply put, this is a type of medicine called 'Targeted Therapy'. That is, it does not harm healthy cells like regular chemotherapy, but directly targets certain proteins in cancer cells and stops those cells from growing. In other words, it is like identifying who the enemy is and attacking only them.
This medicine is mainly used to treat the following conditions:
- Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML): This is a type of cancer that develops in the blood.
- Systemic Mastocytosis: This is a condition in which a type of cell called 'mast' increases unnecessarily in the body.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before you start taking this medication, you should definitely tell your doctor about these things, as they are very important for your safety.
- If you have any lung or breathing conditions.
- If you have allergies to this Midostaurin medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant , or have any doubts about it.
- If you are breastfeeding a child.
Talking to your doctor about these things without hiding them will greatly help your treatment be successful.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
The only way to get the most out of a medicine is to use it correctly.
- Take this medicine with a glass of water.
- Be sure to take this medicine with a meal. Do not take it on an empty stomach.
- Do not take this medication with grapefruit juice for any reason, as it may increase the effectiveness of the medication unnecessarily and cause serious side effects.
- Do not chew the medicine like chewing gum. Swallow it whole.
- Take the medicine at about the same time every day.
- Do not stop taking your medication without your doctor's advice.
- If you miss a dose or vomit after taking the medicine, skip the dose. Never take a double dose. Take the next dose at the scheduled time.
What if I overdose?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Because Midostaurin is a very strong drug, it can interact with other medications you are taking. Therefore, you should inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal products, and even vitamins.
The following medications can cause particular problems with this.
| Drug class that may cause problems | Examples (not limited to these) |
|---|---|
| Medicines that should never be taken together | cisapride, dronedarone, fluconazole, pimozide, posaconazole, saquinavir, thioridazine |
| Some medications for HIV or AIDS | Medicines such as boceprevir, ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir |
| Some medications for fungal infections | ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole |
| Some medications for seizures | carbamazepine, phenytoin |
| Other | bupropion, clarithromycin, diltiazem, rifampin, rosuvastatin, St. John's Wort (a herbal extract) |
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
Regular blood tests
Your doctor will often order blood tests when prescribing this medication. This will help you determine how the medication is affecting your body and whether there are any side effects.
Be careful of infections.
Your immune system may be slightly weakened while taking this medicine, which increases your risk of developing infections.
- If you develop symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, and cough , do not self-medicate and call your doctor.
- Try to stay away from people who are sick.
- Always wash your hands well.
Be careful of bleeding.
If you experience bruising anywhere on your body, or if bleeding does not stop even from a minor injury, notify your doctor immediately.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
This is very important. Women should completely avoid getting pregnant while taking this medication and for 4 months after stopping the medication . Similarly, men should also avoid fathering a child while taking this medication and for 4 months after stopping the medication . This is because there is a high risk of serious harm to the unborn child.
Also, do not breastfeed your baby while taking the medication and for 4 months after stopping .
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects. Although not everyone gets them, watch out for the symptoms below.
| If you have any of these, inform your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Changes in heart rate | Chest pain, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat. |
| Increased blood sugar levels | Excessive hunger, excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat. |
| Decreased red blood cells | Difficulty breathing, fainting, extreme fatigue. |
| Other serious symptoms | Swelling of ankles, feet, hands, unusual bleeding or bruising. |
| If these persist or become bothersome, inform your doctor. | |
Bone pain, constipation, diarrhea, headache, mouth sores, muscle pain, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting. | |
Take-Home Message
- Midostaurin is a targeted therapy drug that targets cancer cells.
- This medicine should always be taken with food. Never take it with grapefruit juice.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
- If you experience unusual symptoms such as fever or bleeding, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid pregnancy (both sexes) while taking the medication and for 4 months after stopping.
- Store this medicine in its original, tightly closed bottle, at room temperature, out of the reach of children and pets.
- If you have any questions about this medicine, don't be afraid to ask your doctor.
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