Has your doctor prescribed you to use a medicine called Pacritinib? It's normal to be a little nervous and have a lot of questions when starting a new medicine, especially one for cancer. "What will happen with this?", "What can I expect?", "Will there be side effects?" You may be wondering. So today, let's talk about this medicine called Pacritinib in a simple way that you can understand.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, Pacritinib (pronounced: pac-ri-ti-nib) is a drug that is used to treat bone marrow cancer . Our bone marrow is the place inside our bones where blood cells are produced. So when cancer develops in this bone marrow, this drug is used to treat it.
This medicine works in a very interesting way. There is a special protein that helps cancer cells grow, divide, and multiply. This medicine blocks the action of that protein. Then the ability of cancer cells to grow is reduced, or even stopped. In this way, this medicine helps to control the spread of cancer.
This medicine can also be found in the market under the name VONJO .
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before you start taking Pacritinib, it is important for your doctor to know your complete medical history. This is because some conditions require more caution when using this medicine. Therefore, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Your situation | Why should you inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Bleeding disorder | This medicine may increase the risk of bleeding. |
| A history of blood clots | The risk of blood clots may increase. |
| Other cancer condition | It is important to be aware because it may increase the risk of some cancers. |
| Heart disease or heart attack | Because heart-related side effects may occur. |
| Liver or kidney disease | The dosage may need to be adjusted because these organs affect the elimination of the medication from the body. |
| Any type of infection | This medicine may reduce your ability to fight infections. |
| Tobacco use (smoking) | Smoking can increase some risk factors. |
| If you are scheduled to have surgery | The medication may need to be stopped before surgery. |
| If you are pregnant or expecting a baby | This medicine may be harmful to the unborn baby. |
| If the baby is breastfed | It is not recommended because the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
| Allergies to other medications, foods, or dyes | To find out if you are also likely to be allergic to Pacritinib. |
How should I use this medicine?
The method of using this medicine is very simple, but it is very important to follow it correctly.
- This is a capsule that you take by mouth . Try to take it at the same time every day, exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
- Do not break, crush, or chew the capsule. Swallow it whole with water.
- You can take this with or without food . However, if you feel an upset stomach, it is best to take it with some food.
- Continue taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, don't worry. Skip the missed dose altogether . Take the next dose at the scheduled time. Don't take two doses at once to make up for the missed dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you have any suspicion that you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Some medications, foods, and herbal products can interact with Pacritinib. This means that Pacritinib may either decrease or increase its effectiveness, or may increase its side effects. Therefore, it is important to be aware of this.
In particular, do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice or drinks made from it while taking this medication.
In addition, you should tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medications, as they may interact with them.
- Some medications for fungal infections (e.g. Ketoconazole, Fluconazole)
- Some medications for viral infections such as HIV and hepatitis
- Some medications for seizures (e.g. Carbamazepine, Phenytoin)
- Some antibiotics (e.g. Clarithromycin, Rifampin)
- Herbal products such as St. John's wort
- Other medications that can cause changes in heart rhythm
- Estrogen and progestin hormones
Most importantly: Give your doctor a complete list of all medications, vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements you are taking so he or she can give you the advice you need to avoid these types of interactions.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Regular check-ups: Be sure to go to your doctor's appointments. He or she will also order blood tests to see how the medication is affecting your body.
- Risk of infection: Your body's ability to fight off illness may be slightly reduced while taking this medicine. Therefore, if you develop symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches, or sore throat, tell your doctor immediately. Do not go out to get medicine on your own. Stay away from places where sick people hang out as much as possible.
- Be careful with painkillers: Do not take painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen without your doctor's advice. These can suppress the fever, making it harder to detect an infection.
- Watch out for bleeding: Be careful when brushing and flossing your teeth, as your gums are more likely to bleed. If you are having dental treatment, tell your dentist that you are taking this medicine.
- Birth control: If you are using birth control methods that contain the hormones estrogen and progestin, their effectiveness may be reduced by this medication. Talk to your doctor about another birth control method that is right for you.
- Breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine and for 2 weeks after stopping the medicine.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Pacritinib can cause some side effects. Although not everybody gets them. Some are serious and need immediate medical attention. Some are not serious and go away with time.
| If you have these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Abnormal bleeding | Black or bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, red/dark brown urine, and skin bruising. |
| Blood clot | Leg pain, swelling, warmth, difficulty breathing, chest pain. |
| Symptoms of a heart attack | Chest, shoulder, or arm tightness or pain, nausea, shortness of breath. |
| Changes in heart rate | Rapid heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint. |
| Symptoms of a Stroke | Numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, severe headache. |
| Signs of an infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Diarrhea | Flatulence. |
| Dizziness | Dizziness . |
| Nausea | Feeling like vomiting. |
| Swelling | Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
How should you store the medicine?
- Keep it in a safe place out of reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature, below 30 degrees Celsius . It is best to keep the medicine in the original package it came in.
- Do not use expired medications. Dispose of them properly. Ask your doctor about this.
Take-Home Message
- Pacritinib is a specific drug used to treat bone marrow cancer. Take it exactly as your doctor tells you, at the right time, in the right dose.
- It is essential to inform your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, or traditional medicine you are taking.
- Be aware of unusual bleeding, signs of infection (fever), and signs of a heart attack or stroke. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
- Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have. Your awareness is very important in your treatment process.
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