What is Zokinvy?
Zokinvy is a prescription drug that is prescribed to people suffering from rare genetic disorders that can cause rapid and premature degenerative aging. Lonafarnib is a prescription medicine for children and adults aged at least 12 months with bodies that have grown to a certain extent (a body size equal to 0.39 sq m).Zokinvy can be used to decrease the risk of dying in those suffering from Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS).
Zokinvy is also used to treat certain types of progeroid laminopathies that are "processing-deficient.
Warnings
Discuss with your doctor your current medications and all the ones you begin or stop taking. A variety of drugs interact, and some medications should not be combined.
Lonafarnib can harm your unborn baby. Females who can get pregnant should take advantage of effective birth control when they are treated with Zokinvy.It isn't clear whether Zokinvy is safe and effective for infants under 12 months old.
Before you take this drug
You shouldn't use Zokinvy when you are taking other medications.A variety of drugs interact and produce dangerous side effects. Certain drugs shouldn't be taken in conjunction with Zokinvy. Your doctor might alter the treatment plan in the event that you also take:
- Midazolam;
- John's wort;
- Phenobarbital or another barbiturate drug;
- An antimicrobial or antifungal medication;
- Antiviral medication to treat HIV as well as hepatitis C;
- Medicine for cancer;
- Cholesterol medicine (atorvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin);
- Medicine for blood pressure or the heart;
- Seizure medicine;
- Steroid medicine.
It is possible to stop taking Zokinvy for 10–14 days prior to and two days following the use of other medicines. Don't discontinue using Zokinvy without consulting your physician.
To ensure that Zokinvy is suitable for you, inform your doctor if you have ever experienced:
- Kidney disease kidney disease
- Eye issues.
Lonafarnib could cause harm to a baby who is not yet born. Use effective birth control to stop pregnancy and inform your physician if you are pregnant.
The medicine can impact fertility (the ability to bear children) for both men and women. But women must make use of birth control to avoid pregnancy since lonafarnib could affect the unborn baby.It might not be safe to breastfeed while taking this medication. Discuss with your physician about the potential dangers.
How to take Zokinvy?
Make sure you follow the dosage exactly that is recommended by your physician. Follow the directions on the prescription label, and make sure you read all the instructions or medication guides. Your doctor may modify your dosage.
Zokinvy is generally taken once a day, in the morning and evening, with meals. Follow the instructions of your doctor for dosage extremely carefully.Consume this medicine along with a glass of water.Suck the capsule whole, but don't crush, chew, break, crack, or even crack it.
If you are unable to swallow the capsule in its entirety, break it and mix the medication within 1 or 2 teaspoons. Blend SF Ora-Plus orange juice or applesauce. Consume the mixture within 10 minutes of mixing. Don't save the mixture for use later on.Avoid mixing the ingredients of the Zokinvy capsule with grapefruit juice and Seville orange juice. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for use that are included in your medication. Consult your physician or pharmacist for clarification if you are unsure of the instructions.
Lonafarnib doses are determined by the body's surface area (height as well as weight). Your dosage requirements could change when you lose or gain weight or if you're expanding.Your doctor may be required to examine your eyes frequently.Keep at room temperature, free of heat and moisture.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome:
Initial dosage: 115 mg/m2 orally, two times a day.
After 4 months, increase the dosage to 150 mg/m2 by mouth at least twice per day.
Maintenance dose: 115 mg/m2 or 150 mg/m2 once a day.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome:
12 months or older with an average body surface area (BSA) of 0.39 m2 or greater:
Initial dosage: 115 mg/m2 orally every day, twice
After 4 months, increase to 150 mg/m2 by mouth at least twice per day.
Maintenance dosage: 115 mg/m2 or 150 mg/m2 once a day.
Comments:
The daily dose must be rounded up to the nearest 25 mg increment.
For patients who cannot tolerate 150 mg/m2 two times a day due to frequent periods of vomiting or diarrhea that result in dehydration or weight loss, it is possible to reduce the dosage up to 115 mg/m2.
Limitations of Use: Not indicated for other progeroid syndromes or processing-proficient progeroid laminopathies since, based upon its mechanism of action, it would not be expected to be effective.
Uses:
To reduce the chance of dying in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS).
To treat progeroid laminopathies deficient in processing with either
Heterozygous LMNA mutation that causes progerin-like protein accumulation
Heterozygous or compound ZMPSTE24 mutations
What happens if I miss a dose?
You should take the medicine as fast as you are able, but do not miss any missed dose if the coming dose falls within just less than eight hours. Don't have two doses at the same time.
What happens if I overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
Avoid this
Grapefruit, along with Seville oranges, can come into contact with lonafarnib, which can result in undesirable negative side effects. Beware of using the products of grapefruit and orange marmalades.
Side effects of Zokinvy
See a doctor immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms of an allergy reaction, Zokinvy: hives, breathing problems, or swelling of your lips, face, or tongue,
Contact your doctor immediately. If you are suffering from:
- Vision problems that are new or getting worse (such as reduced night vision);
- Severe ongoing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea;
- Loss of appetite, which causes an increase in weight;
- Hypertension High blood pressure: extreme headache, blurred vision, nasal bleeding, breathlessness, or pounding in your neck or ear;
- Kidney issues The most common symptoms are a lack of or no urine output, swelling of your ankles or feet, being exhausted or weak,
- High potassium levels cause nausea as well as weakness, tingling sensations, chest discomfort, irregular heartbeats, and loss of motion.
- Low potassium levels, leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering of your chest, increased thirst or urination, a sensation of numbness or tingling, muscular weakness, or a limb sensation;
- Low sodium levels headache, confusion Slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, lack of coordination, and feeling unstable;
- Low calcium levels, muscle spasms, contractions, numbness, or tingling sensations (around your mouth or on your toes, fingers, or fingers),
- Chills, fever, and cough are some of the symptoms of an infection. Also, itchy diarrhea, swelling, or burning after you urinate
Common Zokinvy adverse effects could be:
- An electrolyte imbalance (such as low amounts of sodium, potassium, and calcium levels in the blood);
- Infection;
- Raised blood pressure
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea;
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Headache;
- Being tired;
- Joint or muscle pains;
- Signs of a cold, such as a stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough,
- Abnormal lab tests;
This isn't an exhaustive list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Contact your doctor to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drugs
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Certain medications can alter the blood levels and the other medications you are taking, which could cause more side effects or make the medication less effective.
Numerous drugs may interact with lonafarnib. This includes over-the-counter and prescription drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all interactions are mentioned here. Discuss with your physician all the medications you are currently taking as well as any new medications you are about to start or stop taking.