It's normal to feel a little nervous and curious when your doctor prescribes a new, special medication for you or someone in your family. Especially if it's a cancer medication. So today we're going to talk about one such special medication, Pexidartinib. It usually comes under the brand name Turalio. Let's talk about this medication, how to use it, what it can do, and what we need to be aware of, in a very simple way, as if we were talking to a friend.
Simply put, what is Pexidartinib?
Pexidartinib is not a drug like chemotherapy that we usually know. This is a drug that belongs to the category of targeted therapy . Think about it, regular cancer drugs sometimes affect good cells too. But this targeted therapy is about finding things like special proteins in cancer cells and stopping their growth. It's like using a special key to open a special lock.
This drug is mainly used to treat a cancerous condition called Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor (TGCT) . This is a rare type of tumor that occurs in the joints. So, what this drug does is stop the growth of those cancer cells and control the disease.
Things you should definitely tell your doctor before starting the medication
This is very important. Before your doctor decides to give you this medicine, he or she will need to know your complete health history. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, please tell your doctor without hiding it.
- Liver disease: This medication can affect the liver, so you should definitely tell your doctor if you already have any liver disease.
- Kidney disease: The doctor should also be aware of the functioning of the kidneys.
- If you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant: It is absolutely not advisable to get pregnant while taking this medicine. We will talk about this in detail later.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: This is not suitable for breastfeeding mothers, as the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk.
- Other Allergies: Tell us if you have any allergies, not just to pexidartinib, but to any other medicine, food, or dye.
Your doctor is like your best friend. Don't hide anything from him. Your safety depends on the accuracy of the information you give.
How exactly should I use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medication, it's important to use it correctly. Remember these instructions carefully.
1. Oral Capsule: This is a capsule that you should take with a glass of water.
2. Swallow whole: Please do not break, crush, or chew this capsule. Swallow it whole.
3. Take on an empty stomach: This is the most important thing. This medicine should be taken without food . That is, it should be taken at least one hour before or two hours after a meal . Taking it with food can affect the effectiveness of the medicine.
4. Do not take with grapefruit juice: Avoid drinking grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking this medication. It can severely affect the effectiveness of the medication.
5. Be careful with antacids: Avoid taking antacids used for gastritis (e.g. Digene, Gelusil) within two hours of taking this medicine.
6. Take it on time: Take your medicine at the prescribed intervals, as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more than the prescribed amount.
7. Do not stop taking the medication without medical advice: Do not stop taking the medication for any reason without your doctor's advice.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, skip that dose altogether. Take the next dose at the usual time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you may have accidentally taken more medicine than you think, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Pexidartinib may interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbal products you are taking. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all medications, even vitamins, you are taking. Here are some things to be especially careful about.
| Drug/substance type | Why should you care? |
|---|---|
| Do not take these with anything. | |
| Dasabuvir, Ombitasvir, Paritaprevir, Ritonavir (medicines for hepatitis C), Ranolazine (medicines for heart disease) | These can cause serious side effects when combined with Pexidartinib. |
| Discuss these with your doctor. | |
| Some medications for gastritis (e.g. Cimetidine, Famotidine, Omeprazole, Esomeprazole) | These can reduce the absorption of Pexidartinib into the body. |
| Hormonal birth control methods (pills, patches, injections) | Pexidartinib may reduce the effectiveness of birth control, so ask your doctor about using another form of birth control. |
| Grapefruit juice | Pexidartinib levels in the body can become dangerously high. |
| St. John's Wort (herbal product) | This reduces the effectiveness of Pexidartinib. |
| Other antibiotics and antifungals such as Rifampicin, Itraconazole | These may affect the levels of Pexidartinib. |
Side effects that may occur while taking the medicine
Like any medicine, this medicine can cause side effects. Not everyone gets them. However, it is important to be aware of these.
| Symptoms that should be reported to your doctor or hospital (ETU) immediately | |
|---|---|
| Symptoms of liver damage | Dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, extreme fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and light-colored stools. |
| Severe allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Vomiting or fever | Unstoppable vomiting or fever. |
| If it persists or becomes bothersome, inform your doctor. | |
| Change in taste in the mouth | Changes in the taste of food. |
| Constipation | Difficulty defecating. |
| Swelling or numbness in the limbs | Tingling, pain, or swelling in the hands, feet, or fingers. |
Special notice about pregnancy and fertility
This is an extremely important point.
- Women: Avoid becoming pregnant completely while taking this medication and for one month after stopping the medication. Use a highly reliable form of birth control during this time.
- Men: If you are taking this medication, avoid fathering a child while taking the medication and for one week after stopping.
This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. It can also temporarily or permanently impair fertility. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor before starting treatment.
Take-Home Message
- Pexidartinib is a special drug that targets cancer cells. It is essential to take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor, preferably on an empty stomach.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms of liver damage (yellowing of the skin/eyes, dark urine) or severe allergic reactions.
- It is extremely important to avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medication and for the prescribed period of time. This applies to both women and men.
- If you have any concerns, questions, or concerns about this medication, please discuss them with your doctor. They are always ready to help you.
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