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Yondelis

Generic name: trabectedin [tra-BEK-te-din]
The class of drugs: alkylating agents

What is Yondelis?

Yondelis is a treatment for cancer that inhibits the spread and growth of cancerous cells within the body.Yondelis is a treatment for liposarcoma, which is a rare form of cancer that is found within the fat tissues in the body.Yondelis can also be used to treat leiomyosarcoma. It is one of the rare, fast-growing types of cancer that develops in a variety of tissues of the body, such as muscles, fat, bone joints, and blood vessels.Yondelis can be used for treating cancers that have expanded to other parts of the body or that cannot be treated surgically.

Warnings

Yondelis can affect the immune system. It is possible to contract infections more often, including severe or fatal infections. Call your doctor when you experience an illness that causes fever, mouth sores, skin sores, irritation of the throat, cough, or difficulty breathing.

Before you take this drug

It is not recommended to treat with Yondelis in case you have an allergy to the trabectedin.

Tell your physician if you were ever afflicted by:

  • Liver disease;
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease.

Yondelis could harm an unborn child as well as cause birth defects in the case that the father or mother is taking the medicine.

  • If you're female, do not use this medicine if expecting. It is possible that you will need to undergo an ultrasound test that is negative prior to taking this medication. Make sure you are using effective birth control to stop the possibility of pregnancy while using this medication and at least two months after the last dose.
  • If you're male, use effective birth control if you are a partner with someone who can get pregnant. Use birth control for a minimum of five months following the last dose.
  • Inform your doctor immediately when you notice a pregnancy when both the mother and father are taking yondelis.

It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking the drug trabectedin.

How to take Yondelis?

Yondelis is administered as an injection into a vein via the central line IV. The healthcare professional will give you the injection.When you are scheduled to receive an injection of trabectedin, you might require an examination of your blood to determine the liver's function.Yondelis should be administered slowly, and the infusion may take up to 24 hours to be completed.Yondelis is typically administered once every three weeks. Your physician will decide the length of time you will be treated with Trabectedin.It is possible to receive steroids to reduce certain adverse effects associated with trabectedin.Inform your doctor that you are experiencing any pain, burning, or swelling in the area of your IV needle after Yondelis is injecting.Trabectedin affects your immune system. It is possible to get infections more often, including severe or fatal infections. Your physician will have to test your health on a regular basis.The function of your heart may require a check with an electrocardiograph, or ECG (sometimes referred to as an EKG).

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Soft Tissue Sarcoma:

Normal bilirubin and AST or ALT 2.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or less:
1.5 mg/m2 with IV infusions once every 21 days (3 weeks)
Serum Bilirubin Levels Above Institutional ULN:
There is no recommended dosage.
Time of Therapy: Up until the disease progresses or toxicity is unacceptable.
Comments:
The drug is administered over 24 hours via the central vein using an infusion set that has 0.2-micron Polyethersulfone (PES) on-line filters.
Complete the infusion within 30 minutes of reconstitution.
Inject Dexamethasone 20 mg in 30 minutes prior to each dose.
Use: treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic liposarcoma or leiomyosarcoma who received a prior anthracycline-containing regimen.

Do I be concerned if I miss a dose?

Consult your physician for the proper procedure in the event that you don't make an appointment to get the Yondelis injection.

What will happen if I take excessively?

Because the medicine is prescribed by a health specialist in a medical setting, the risk of overdose is less likely to occur.

What should be avoided?

Grapefruit could interact with trabectedin, which can lead to undesirable consequences. Beware of using products made from grapefruit.Trabectedin is a substance that can be absorbed into the body fluids (urine, faeces, or vomit). At least for the first 48 hours following the time you received the medication, do not allow the body fluids of your body to touch your hands or any other surfaces. Carers must wear gloves made of rubber when cleaning up a patient's fluids, handling trash that is contaminated or laundry, or changing diapers. Clean hands prior to and after taking off gloves. Clean soiled linens and clothes separately from the other laundry.

Side effects of Yondelis

Take immediate medical care. If you exhibit symptoms that indicate an allergy reaction, Yondelis: hives or chest tightness wheezing, breathing difficulties sensation of lightheadedness; swelling of your lips, face, and tongue.

Capillary leak syndrome can be a very rare but severe side effect of the drug trabectedin. Tell your doctor immediately if you exhibit symptoms of this disorder: nasal congestion or a running nose, followed by fatigue or weakness, as well as sudden swelling in your legs, arms, and other areas of your body.

Contact your doctor immediately if you are suffering from:

  • Discomfort, burning, or skin changes after the injection was administered.
  • Heart issues chest pain, rapid or pounding heartbeats, breathlessness (even when exerting only a little), swelling, and rapid weight gain.
  • Breakdown of muscles unexplained tenderness, pain in the muscles, or weakness (especially when you have an unusually tired fever or dark-coloured urine);
  • Liver issues problems with the liver nausea and stomach pains in the upper region fatigue, confusion nausea, loss of appetite dark urine, stools that are clay-coloured, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin), or
  • Low blood cells such as chills, fever, fatigue, skin sores, mouth sores, easily bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold feet, and hands sensation of lightheadedness or sluggishness

The treatment for cancer may be delayed or completely stopped in the event of certain adverse negative effects.

Common Yondelis side effects can include:

  • Vomiting, nausea, vomiting, nausea, vomiting,
  • Diarrhoea, constipation;
  • Swelling, tiredness;
  • Low blood cell count;
  • Irregular kidney or liver function tests;
  • Headache
  • Feeling a bit breathless.

This isn't an exhaustive list of all the side effects. Others could happen. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report symptoms to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drugs

There are times when it's not safe to take certain medications simultaneously. Certain medications can alter the blood levels of other medications you are taking, which could cause more side effects or make the drugs less effective.A variety of drugs interact with trabectedin. It includes prescription and over-the counter supplements, vitamins, as well as natural products.There are not all the interactions mentioned here. Inform your doctor of all your current medications and any medication you begin or stop taking.