What is Lonafarnib?
Lonafarnib can be used by people who have certain rare genetic disorders that cause rapid and premature aging. Lonafarnib can be used by adults and children over 12 months of age whose bodies reach a certain size (0.39 square meters).Lonafarnib can be used to reduce the risk of death for people with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGP).Lonafarnib is also used to treat certain types of progeroid laminopathies that are "processing-deficient."Lonafarnib is not for use in people with non-HGPS progeroid syndromes or with progeroid laminopathies that are "processing-proficient."This medication guide does not list all possible uses of Lonafarnib.
Side effects of Lonafarnib
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.
Lonafarnib can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- New or worsening visual problems (such as decreased night vision);
- Severe ongoing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea;
- A loss of appetite can cause weight gain.
- High blood pressure—severe headache, blurred vision, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, and pounding in the neck or ears.
- Kidney problems: little or no urine, swelling of the feet or ankles, and feeling tired or breathless;
- High potassium level: nausea and weakness, tingly feelings, chest pains, irregular heartbeats, or loss of mobility;
- Low sodium level: leg cramps, constipation, abnormal heartbeats or fluttering, increased thirst, tingling or numbness, muscle weakness, or a limp feeling.
- Low sodium level: headache, confusion, slurred words, severe weakness and vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.
- Low calcium level: muscle spasms, contractions, numbness, or tingly sensation (around the mouth or fingers and toes);
- Signs of infection include fever, cough, and rash. Other symptoms are swelling, diarrhoea, or pain when you urinate.
Some of the common side effects associated with lonafarnib include:
- An electrolyte imbalance is a low level of sodium, potassium, or calcium in the blood.
- Infection;
- Increased blood pressure
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea;
- Weight loss due to decreased appetite
- Headache;
- Feeling tired
- Joint or muscle pain
- Cold symptoms like a stuffy nose and sneezing; a sore neck or coughing;
- Abnormal lab tests;
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
Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking, as well as any new ones. Some drugs are not to be taken together, and others can cause drug interactions.
Before you take this drug
If you also take certain other medications, you should not take lonafarnib.Many drugs can cause harmful interactions. Certain drugs shouldn't be taken with lonafarnib. If you are also taking
- Midazolam;
- John's Wort;
- Phenobarbital, or any other barbiturate medication;
- Antifungal or antibacterial medicine
- Antiviral medication to treat HIV or hepatitis C
- Cancer Medicine
- Cholesterol medicine (atorvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin);
- Heart or blood pressure medication;
- Seizure medicine;
- Steroid medicine.
It may be necessary to stop taking lonafarnib 10–14 days before using other medications and 2 days afterwards.Consult your doctor before stopping the medication.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Kidney disease
- Eye problems.
Lonafarnib can harm an unborn child. Use effective birth control and inform your doctor immediately if you fall pregnant.Both men and women may be affected by lonafarnib. Women should use birth control to avoid pregnancy, as lonafarnib may harm the unborn child.Breastfeeding may not be possible while taking this medication. You should ask your doctor if there are any risks.
How to take Lonafarnib medication?
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.
Lonafarnib should be taken twice daily, with breakfast and dinner. Don't forget to listen to your doctor.
Take this medication with a glass of water.
Do not open, crush, chew, or break the capsule.
If you are unable to swallow a capsule in its entirety, open the capsule and sprinkle 1 or 2 teaspoons into Ora Blend SF (or Ora-Plus), orange juice, or applesauce. After mixing, you should consume the mixture in 10 minutes. Don't save the mixture for later.You should not mix the contents of a lonafarnib cap with orange juice or grapefruit. Please read and follow the instructions for use that come with your medicine. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you do not understand.Lonafarnib dosages are determined by body surface area. You may need to adjust your dose if you lose or gain weight, or if you're still growing.You may be required to have your doctor check your eyesight on a regular basis.Keep away from moisture and heat at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you can. 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?
For poison assistance, call 1-800-222-1222 or get immediate medical help.
What should be avoided?
Grapefruits and Seville oranges can interact with lonafarnib, causing unwanted side effects. Avoid grapefruit marmalades and orange products.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not a good idea 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.Lonafarnib can be affected by many drugs. These include prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. The list is not exhaustive. Tell your doctor about all the medications that you currently take and any new ones you plan to start or stop using.
