Has your doctor prescribed you or someone you know a medication called Selinexor? The name may be a bit new to you. It is a specific, targeted therapy that is given to control cancer cells. So today, let's talk about this medication in a simple and friendly way, what it actually does, what to be careful of when using it, and what to expect.
What is this medicine called Selinexor?
Simply put, Selinexor is a drug that targets certain proteins inside cancer cells and stops them from growing and dividing. Because it directly affects cancer cells, we also call it targeted therapy.
This medication also comes under the brand name XPOVIO®. It is mainly used to treat multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer, and some types of lymphoma , such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. However, your doctor may also prescribe this medication for other conditions.
Things to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before starting this medication, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Because that information will determine whether this medication is suitable for you and how it should be given. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- About your bleeding disorders .
- Any current infectious conditions (such as fever, cough, cold).
- If you have an allergic reaction to Selinexor or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, about that.
- If you are breastfeeding a child, you should definitely tell them about it.
How should I use the medicine?
Using this medicine correctly has a great impact on the success of the treatment.
- Swallow this pill whole with a glass of water .
- Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet. Doing so may affect the effectiveness of the medicine.
- Take it on the days and at the times prescribed by your doctor. This is usually once or twice a week.
- If you experience stomach upset or nausea after taking the medication, taking it with a meal can reduce the discomfort.
- Do not take more than the prescribed amount of medication or stop taking it suddenly without your doctor's advice.
Imagine that you have taken more medicine than prescribed. If this happens, immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) without any hesitation. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What do you do if you forget to take your medicine on time?
If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next dose at the next scheduled time. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a forgotten dose. If you are unsure, ask your doctor for advice.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
It's important to pay a little more attention to your body while taking this medication.
- Blood Tests: Your blood cell counts (white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets) may change while taking this medication. Therefore, it is important to have blood tests done regularly as prescribed by your doctor.
- Dehydration: If you have severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or are sweating a lot, you may be losing fluids from your body and becoming dehydrated. This can be dangerous, so tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. Drink plenty of water and fluids.
- Dizziness and confusion: Some people may experience dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion while taking this medication. Therefore, avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that requires alertness until you know how this medication affects you.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (very important):
- Women: Avoid becoming pregnant completely while taking this medication and for one week after stopping the medication.
- Men: If you are taking this medicine, avoid fathering a child during treatment and for one week after stopping. This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about safe birth control methods.
- Do not breastfeed your baby while taking this medicine.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Selinexor can cause some side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some of them can be serious, so it is important to be aware of them as soon as possible. The table below will help you understand this more clearly.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Symptoms of low blood cell count | - Signs of infection: fever, chills, sore throat. - Signs of bleeding: random bruising, small red spots on the skin, nosebleeds, and black stools. |
| Mental and nervous system changes | Confusion, seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations), severe dizziness, feeling like you are losing consciousness. |
| Other serious symptoms | Vision changes, blurred vision, difficulty breathing, persistent nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss. |
| Things to tell your doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Common side effects | Change in taste in the mouth, constipation, headache, insomnia. |
How to store the medicine?
This is also important. Keep the medicine out of the reach of children and pets. Store in a dry place below 30 degrees Celsius (30°C). Throw away any medicine that has passed the expiration date on the medicine box.
Take-Home Message
- Selinexor is a special drug that targets cancer cells.
- Always take your medicine exactly as your doctor has prescribed, at the right time. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and other medical conditions you are taking.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as fever, signs of infection, unusual bruising, or extreme dizziness, notify your doctor immediately.
- Completely avoid pregnancy (both women and men) during treatment and for one week after stopping.
- If you accidentally take too much medicine, go to a hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately or contact the National Poisons Information Center.
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