What is Lomitapide? Uses, effects, side effects & warnings

What is Lomitapide?

Lomitapide can be used by adults with homozygous familial high cholesterol, along with other treatments.Lomitapide reduces the levels of "bad" blood cholesterol, such as non-HDL or low-density lipoproteins (LDL). It also lowers the level of a protein in the blood that transports bad cholesterol.There is no evidence that lomitapide reduces your heart disease risk.Lomitapide can only be purchased from a pharmacy that is certified under a special program. You must register in the programme, and you must understand the risks and advantages of lomitapide.Lomitapide can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.

Side effects of Lomitapide

Seek immediate medical care if you have any of these symptoms: difficulty breathing, swelling in your face, lips, throat, or tongue.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience:

Severe diarrhoea;
Feeling light-headed, like you might pass out.
Reduced urination

If you experience any of the following symptoms of liver disease:

Nausea, vomiting, upper stomach pain;
Loss of appetite
Swelling around your midsection;
Flu-like symptoms, tiredness;
Dark urine and clay-coloured stool
Jaundice

Side effects of lomitapide include:

Stomach cramps;
Nausea, vomiting;
Indigestion;

There may be other side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the fda at 1-800-fda-1088.

Warnings

If you have a severe liver condition or if your liver function tests have been abnormal in the past, then lomitapide should be avoided.Do not use it if you are pregnant. The effectiveness of birth control pills can be reduced if vomiting or diarrhoea are present. Consult your doctor for the best ways to avoid pregnancy when taking lomitapide.Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you stop or start using. Several drugs can interact with lomitapide. Some drugs should never be taken together.Lomitapide may cause liver problems. If you experience nausea, vomiting, or upper stomach pain, also, if you feel tired, have flu-like symptoms, or have dark urine or jaundice,

Before you take this drug

If you have an allery to lomitapide, or:

Are pregnant;
You have moderate to severe liver disease, or you are experiencing active liver disease.
Have abnormal liver function tests.

Some drugs shouldn't be taken with lomitapide. You may need to change your treatment plan if you use:

Aprepitant;
Conivaptan;
Crizotinib, imatinib;
Nefazodone;
An antibiotic—ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin;
Antifungal medication: fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole;
Heart or blood pressure medication: verapamil, diltiazem
Hepatitis c medication—boceprevir or telaprevir;
Hiv or aids medicine: atazanavir, darunavir when given with ritonavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, and tipranavir.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:

Liver problems can be caused by certain medications.
Kidney disease (or dialysis if you have it);
Bowel problems or intestinal disorders;
Glucose malnutrition;
If you consume large quantities of alcohol,

Before starting the treatment, you may need to take a pregnancy test.

Unborn babies may be harmed. If you are pregnant, avoid using this drug. If you become pregnant, inform your doctor as soon as possible.You may find your name on a registry for pregnant women to track the effects of lomitapide.If you have nausea or diarrhoea, birth control pills can be less effective. Consult your doctor for the best ways to prevent pregnancy when taking lomitapide.Ask your doctor if you can safely breastfeed while taking lomitapide.

How to take Lomitapide?

Follow the directions in the guide or instructions that comes with the medication.Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. Take the medicine exactly as directed.You will be tested by your doctor to ensure that lomitapide can be taken safely.Do not take lomitapide for at least 2 hours following your evening meal.Do not chew, crush, break, or dissolve the capsule. This medicine should be taken with a glass of water.You may be prescribed vitamin A or essential fatty acids by your doctor while taking lomitapide. Only take the vitamins and supplements that your doctor has prescribed.Lomitapide may be part of a larger treatment plan that includes exercise and weight management.Don't forget to listen to your doctor.Keep away from moisture and heat at room temperature. When not in use, keep the bottle tightly shut.

Details on dosage

Adult dose for hyperlipidemia:

Initial dose: oral, 5 mg once daily
Maintenance dose: 5–60 mg orally, once daily (should be individually adjusted to the treatment goal and response).
Maximum dose: 60mg orally, once daily.
Comments:
The dose should be increased gradually based on the response, safety, and tolerability. You can increase the dose using this incremental schedule: Orally, 5 mg once daily for at least 2 weeks. Then, 10 mg, 20mg, 40mg, and 60mg once daily after 4 week intervals.
Lomitapide can be taken on an empty stomach with a glass of water at least two hours after dinner.

Usual Adult Dose for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia:

What happens if I miss the dose?

Do not take the missed dose. Use your next dose as usual. Never take two doses in one go. If you have not taken lomitapide in more than one week, talk to your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

For poison assistance, call 1-800-222-1222 or get immediate medical help.

What should be avoided?

If you are taking lomitapide, avoid foods that contain high levels of fat and cholesterol. Otherwise, lomitapide may not work as well and cause nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.Grapefruit can interact with lomitapide, causing side effects. Avoid consuming grapefruit products.Limit yourself to one drink per day.Alcohol consumption can increase the risk of liver damage.

Interaction with other drug

Taking lomitapide with certain medicines can reduce its effectiveness. Take your lomitapide 4 hours before taking cholestyramine and colesevelam.

Tell your doctor about all medications that you take.Many drugs can interact with lomitapide.

Acetaminophen, isotretinoin, methotrexate, or tamoxifen;
Antidepressants are a type of medication.
Treatment of hiv and hepatitis c with antiviral medications
Heart or blood pressure medication;
Birth control pills
An antibiotic--demeclocycline, doxycycline, minocycline, eravacycline, omadacycline, sarecycline, tetracycline;
A blood thinner: warfarin coumadin jantoven
Cholesterol medication—atorvastatin or simvastatin.

This list does not include all drugs that may interact with lomitapide. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. The list is not exhaustive.