Have you been prescribed Pexidartinib? Let's talk about this medicine in simple terms.

It's normal to feel a little nervous and curious when your doctor prescribes a new medication. Especially if it's something special. Pexidartinib is one such medication. It's a medication that's used to treat certain types of non-cancerous tumors that commonly occur in our joints. So if you've been prescribed this medication, I'm here to explain everything you need to know about it, as if you were telling it to a friend or family member.

What really happens with this medicine?

Simply put, Pexidartinib (often known by the brand name Turalio) is a specific drug that controls the growth of cells in our body. Think about it, tumors form when some cells in our body start dividing and multiplying too quickly. These tumors can be cancerous or non-cancerous.

This drug specifically targets non-cancerous tumors that form in joints (such as the knee, hip, and shoulder). One of the main reasons these tumors develop is that certain proteins keep sending signals to cells to "divide and grow." This drug, called pexidartinib, blocks the protein that sends the unwanted signals. It's like turning off a water tap. Then, because the cells that make up the tumor don't get the signals they need to grow, the tumor stops growing or shrinks.

Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication

Your doctor will need to know your complete health history before prescribing this medication. This medication is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, please tell your doctor the following information clearly without hiding anything .

How exactly do I use this medicine?

To get the most out of a medicine, you need to take it exactly as prescribed. Keep these things in mind.

• Take your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you: Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time each day. Follow the directions on the prescription label.
• Swallow the tablet whole: Do not chew, crush, or break this capsule. Swallow it whole with a glass of water.
• Take with food: This is important. This medicine should be taken with a low-fat meal . For example, you can take it with something like vegetables, fruits, some rice, bread, or milk. Avoid taking it with fatty, fried foods.
• Do not change the dosage on your own: If you experience any side effects, your doctor may decide to change your dosage or stop taking the medication for a while. Never stop taking the medication or change the dosage without your doctor's advice.
• Do not take with grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice can change the way this medicine works in our body. Therefore, completely stop drinking grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
• If taken with antacids: If you are taking antacids (e.g. Digene, Gelusil) for stomach ulcers or gastritis, take the antacid 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking Pexidartinib.
• If taken with H2 receptor blockers: If you are taking medications for gastritis such as Famotidine and Ranitidine (these belong to the category of `H2 receptor blockers`), take them 2 hours before or 10 hours after taking the Pexidartinib tablet.

What do I do if I miss a medication appointment?

This happens to many people. Don't worry. If you miss a dose, skip it completely. Don't take the missed pill as soon as you remember. Take your next dose at your regular time. Never take two pills at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so increases the risk of side effects.

Other things that may interact with this medicine

Pexidartinib can interact with other medications, foods, and herbal products, so it is important to tell your doctor about everything you are taking.

Below are some of the main things that can conflict with this medication.

This list is not complete, so it's safest to tell your doctor about everything you take.

What should I be careful about when taking the medicine?

It is very important to monitor your health while taking this medicine.

• Regular medical checkups: Be sure to go to your doctor's appointments. It can take some time for the medicine to work. Also, you will need to have regular blood tests to check your liver function while taking this medicine. This is very important for your safety.
• Protect yourself from the sun: This medication may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. This means that your skin may burn and turn red more quickly than usual. Be especially careful with the harsh sun in Sri Lanka.
• Avoid being in the sun between 11am and 3pm as much as possible.
• If you go out, use an umbrella, a hat, and wear clothing that covers your body.
• Use a good sunscreen.
• Completely avoid things that artificially tan your skin, like tanning beds.

Special awareness about pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility

Please pay close attention as this section is extremely important .

• For women:
• You should completely avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine. This medicine can cause serious birth defects in an unborn baby.
• Before starting the pill, you will need to take a test to make sure you are not pregnant.
• You must use a highly effective form of birth control during the entire time you are taking the pill and for 1 month after stopping the pill .
• Hormonal birth control pills and injections may not be as effective when taken with this medication. So talk to your doctor about the most suitable and safest birth control method for you.
• Avoid breastfeeding your baby while taking this medicine and for at least a week after stopping the medicine .

• For men:
• If your partner is of childbearing potential, be sure to use a condom during sexual intercourse while you are taking this medication and for one week after stopping the medication .
• If your partner becomes pregnant due to this medication, it could also be harmful to the baby in the womb.
• If you have even the slightest suspicion that your partner is pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.

• Infertility: This medicine may temporarily or permanently affect fertility (the ability to have children). If you are planning to have children, talk to your doctor about it before starting this medicine.

What side effects might I experience?

Like any medicine, Pexidartinib can cause some side effects. However, not everybody gets them. Some are serious, while others are mild. The most important thing is to be aware of these symptoms and take action if necessary.

If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, tell your doctor about them as well.

What if you take too much medicine? (Overdosage)

If you think you have taken more than you should, or if someone else has taken this medicine by mistake, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Also, if possible, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

How do you keep your medicine safe?

• Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• Store at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and moisture.
• Keep the medicine bottle tightly closed. Do not remove the small packet inside the bottle (which is there to absorb moisture).
• Do not use expired medicine.
• If you are throwing away unused or expired medications, do not flush them down the toilet. Remove the medication from the bottle, mix it with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, put it in a bag, seal it tightly, and throw it in the trash. If you are unsure, consult your doctor.

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