When you or a loved one is prescribed a drug for cancer, it's normal to feel a little scared and curious about it. Especially when you hear about a drug like Zanubrutinib, many questions come up like, 'What will happen with this?', 'What should I be concerned about?' So today we will talk about this drug called Zanubrutinib in a very simple way, in language that you can understand. The brand name of this drug is BRUKINSA.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, Zanubrutinib is a drug used to treat cancer conditions like lymphoma. Now think of cancer cells as bad enemies in our bodies. There is something that helps these enemies grow and spread, let's call it a protein. What Zanubrutinib does is stop the function of that protein. It's like stopping the enemies from feeding and helping them. Then the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread throughout the body is reduced or stopped completely.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
It is very important for your doctor to have a complete picture of your health condition for the treatment to be successful. Therefore, before starting this medication, be sure to inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Bleeding diseases | If you have a condition that causes you to bleed or bruise easily. |
| Surgery | If you have recently had surgery or are planning to have it in the future. |
| Heart disease | If you have any type of heart disease or irregular heartbeat. |
| High blood pressure | If you suffer from high blood pressure. |
| Infections | Any current infectious condition (such as fever, cough, cold). |
| Liver diseases | If you have any liver disease. |
| Other medications | If you are taking medication to prevent or treat blood clots (e.g. Warfarin, Aspirin). |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to zanubrutinib or any other medicine, food, or dye. |
| Pregnancy/breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How should I use this medicine?
The method of using this medicine is very simple, but it is important to follow it exactly.
- Swallow this capsule whole with a glass of water . Do not break, crush, or chew the medicine.
- You can take this before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
- Take the dose prescribed by your doctor, at the right time . If you experience any side effects, your doctor may tell you to change the dose or stop taking the medicine. Never change the dose or stop taking the medicine without your doctor's advice .
- Very important: Avoid drinking grapefruit juice completely while taking this medication, as it can affect the way the medication works.
Overdose: If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take two doses at once for any reason .
Other things that may interact with this medicine
When taking this medicine, it may interact with some other medicines you are taking. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, traditional medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Zanubrutinib may interact with the following, in particular:
- Some antibiotics - e.g. clarithromycin, rifampin
- Medicines taken for viral diseases such as HIV or Hepatitis
- Antifungals - medicines used to treat fungal infections - e.g. ketoconazole, fluconazole
- Medicines for seizures - e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin
- Other anticancer drugs
- Herbal products such as St. John's Wort
- Grapefruit juice
This list is not complete, so talk to your doctor about everything you take.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
You need to take a little more care of your health while undergoing this treatment.
Regular medical checkups
The doctor will tell you to come in for regular checkups. He will also order blood tests. It may take some time to see the results of this medicine, so don't worry.
Be careful of bleeding.
This medicine may increase your risk of bleeding or bruising . Tell your doctor right away if you have easy bruising, bleeding gums, or any other unusual bleeding.
Protect yourself from infections
Your immune system may be weakened while taking this medicine. Therefore, you are more likely to develop infections. If you develop symptoms such as fever, chills, or a sore throat, do not self-medicate and call your doctor. Try to avoid places where people are sick.
Surgery and dental treatment
If you are going to have surgery or dental work, it is important to let your doctor know that you are taking Zanubrutinib. It is not recommended to have major dental surgery while taking this medication. Therefore, it is best to see a dentist to rule out any dental problems before starting this medication.
Cancer risk and sun protection
This medicine may slightly increase the risk of some other types of cancer, especially skin cancer. Therefore, avoid direct sunlight . If you go outside, wear clothing that covers your body well and use sunscreen.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
This is very important: Avoid getting pregnant while taking this medicine and for one week after stopping the medicine. Also, avoid breastfeeding while taking this medicine and for two weeks after stopping the medicine. This medicine can seriously harm an unborn baby. Ask your doctor for more information about this.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, Zanubrutinib can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| Types of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Bleeding | Blood in the stool or black tarry stools, vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds or is brown, urine that is red or dark brown, small red/purple spots on the skin, unusual bruising. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, non-healing wounds, pain during urination, and body discomfort. |
| Decreased red blood cells | Unusual tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing. |
| Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist) | |
| |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
How should I store the medicine? What do I do if there is any left over?
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets . It is best to store it at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Do not use expired medicine.
It is best to consult your doctor about disposing of unused or expired medicines. Sometimes it is not appropriate to throw them in the trash. If it is safe to throw them in the trash, remove the capsules from the container, mix them with something like used tea leaves, coffee grounds, or soil, and put them in a tightly sealed bag or container and throw them in the trash.
Take-Home Message
- Zanubrutinib is an important drug in the treatment of cancer. Always take the prescribed dosage as prescribed by your doctor.
- Don't forget to tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have and all other medications you are taking.
- While taking the medicine, be aware of any unusual bleeding, bruising, or signs of infection (fever, sore throat).
- Avoid drinking grapefruit juice completely while taking this medicine.
- Avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding during treatment and for as long as your doctor advises.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with others for any reason. Talk openly with the doctor about any questions or concerns you may have.
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