What is Avapritinib?
Avapritinib can be used to treat adults with a type of cancer that affects the stomach, oesophagus, or intestines. Avapritinib can be used when cancer has spread (metastatic) or cannot be removed by surgery.Avapritinib may be used to treat cancer if it has a particular genetic marker (a "PDGFRA gene" that is abnormal). This gene will be tested by your doctor.Avapritinib is also used to treat some rare blood disorders in adults, such as advanced systemic mastocytosis and aggressive systemic mamtocytosis. It can also be prescribed for systemic mastocytosis associated with a haematological tumour or mast cell leukaemia.Avapritinib should not be used to treat advanced systemic mastocytosis when the patient has a low platelet count.Avapritinib can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Avapritinib
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
Avapritinib can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- A severe headache or vision problems.
- Unusual changes in mood or behaviour
- Problems with memory, speech, or thinking;
- Hallucinations, confusion (seeing or hearing objects that are not real);
- Dizziness, or drowsiness, is a severe
- Trouble sleeping
- You may experience severe weakness on only one side of your body.
If you experience certain side effects, your cancer treatment may be suspended or discontinued.
Avapritinib can cause a number of side effects.
- Nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; and stomach pain.
- Diarrhoea, constipation;
- Fluid retention, swelling;
- Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak
- Muscle weakness
- Watery eyes
- Is rash
- Hair colour changes
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
omeprazole, lansoprazole, Prilosec, Prevacid, Imatinib, Gleevec, and sunitinib
Warnings
Do not use it other than as directed. Inform your doctor of any other medications you are taking or if you have allergies or other medical conditions.
Before you take this drug
Tell your doctor if you:
- Low platelet counts
- Aneurysm: a bulging or weakening blood vessel wall.
- Have you ever experienced bleeding in the brain?
- A stroke occurred within the past year.
Before starting the treatment, you may need to take a pregnancy test.Women and men who use avapritinib are advised to use birth control methods that prevent pregnancy. Avapritinib may harm the unborn child or cause birth defects if either the mother or father uses this medication.Continue to use birth control at least six weeks after you have taken your last dose. If you become pregnant while taking avapritinib, either as a mother or father, tell your doctor immediately.Do not breastfeed for 2 weeks after taking this medication.
How to take Avapritinib?
Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label.Avapritinib should be taken on an empty stomach at least one hour before or two hours after eating.Do not take another dose if you vomit soon after taking avapritinib. Do not take another dose until you have taken your next scheduled dose.Do not stop taking Avapritinib or change the dose without consulting your doctor.You may need to have your blood tested frequently.Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for stomach cancer:
Take 300 mg once daily orally until the disease progresses or toxicity is unacceptable.
Use: To treat adults with metastatic or unresectable GIST that harbours a
PDGFRA exon 18 mutation, including PDGFRA mutation D842V
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose when your next dose is less than eight hours away. Never take two doses in one go.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
Aviod this
Do not drive or engage in any hazardous activities until you have a better understanding of how avapritinib affects you. You may be unable to react properly.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, causing side effects or making them less effective.Other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products, may also affect avapritinib. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you stop or start using.
