19 Oct
FEATURED NEWS & ARTICLES, Cancer News, ONCOLOGY, oncology medicine

Elopag 50 side effects

This drug has a boxed warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

  • This drug may increase your liver enzymes. This can lead to liver damage. Your doctor will check your liver function when you first start taking this drug and during treatment. If your liver isn’t working well, your doctor may lower your dosage or stop your treatment with this drug.
Highlights for eltrombopag
  1. Eltrombopag oral tablet is available as a brand-name drug. It’s not available as a generic drug. Brand name: Promacta.
  2. Eltrombopag comes in two forms: oral tablet and oral suspension.
  3. Eltrombopag oral tablet is used to treat low platelet levels due to chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) or chronic hepatitis C virus infection. It’s also used to treat severe aplastic anaemia.
What is eltrombopag?

Eltrombopag is a prescription drug. It comes as an oral tablet and an oral suspension.

Eltrombopag oral tablet is available as the brand-name drug Promacta. It’s not available as a generic drug.

This drug may be used as part of combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.

Why it’s used

Eltrombopag is used to treat:

  • Low platelet levels due to chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). This is a bleeding disorder. Eltrombopag is given to people who haven’t responded well to other drugs or surgery.
  • Low platelet counts due to chronic hepatitis C virus infection. This drug is used before and during treatment with the drug pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
  • Severe aplastic anemia. Aplastic anaemia is when you have bone marrow failure, which results in low levels of platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells. Eltrombopag is used in two ways for this condition:
    • First-line treatment of severe aplastic anaemia. This drug can be used as the first treatment option in some cases of severe aplastic anaemia. For this use, eltrombopag is given in combination with other initial treatments.
    • Treatment of refractory severe aplastic anaemia. Some cases of severe aplastic anaemia are refractory, which means the anaemia did not improve after treatment with other medications. Eltrombopag can be used alone for treating these cases of anaemia.

Eltrombopag is not used to treat myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

How it works

Eltrombopag belongs to a class of drugs called thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonists. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work similarly. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Eltrombopag works by increasing cells in your bone marrow. It causes these cells to make more platelets. This effect lowers your risk of bleeding.

19 Oct
FEATURED NEWS & ARTICLES, Cancer News, ONCOLOGY, oncology medicine

Osicent 80 Uses

Presentation

Osicent 80: Each tablet contains Osimertinib Mesylate INN equivalent to Osimertinib 80 mg.

Description

Osimertinib is a kinase inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which binds irreversibly to certain mutant forms of EGFR (T790M, L858R, and exon 19 deletions) at approximately 9-fold lower concentrations than wild-type. In cultured cells and animal tumour implantation models, osimertinib exhibited anti-tumour activity against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) lines harbouring EGFR-mutations (T790M/L858R, L858R, T790M/exon 19 deletion, and exon 19 deletions) and, to a lesser extent, wild-type EGFR amplifications.

Indications

Osimertinib is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as detected by an FDA-approved test, who have progressed on or after EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.

Dosage & Administration

80 mg orally once daily, with or without food.

Side Effects

The most common (>20%) adverse reactions (all grades) observed in Osimertinib-treated patients were diarrhoea (42%), rash (41%), dry skin (31%), and nail toxicity (25%). The most frequent adverse reactions that led to dose reductions or interruptions were: electrocardiogram QTc prolonged (2.2%) and neutropenia (1.9%). Serious adverse reactions reported in 2% or more patients were pneumonia and pulmonary embolus.

Precautions

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis: Occurred in 3.3% of patients. Osimertinib should be permanently discontinued in patients diagnosed with ILD/Pneumonitis.
QTc Interval Prolongation: Electrocardiograms and electrolytes should be monitored in patients who have a history or predisposition for QTc prolongation, or those who are taking medications that are known to prolong the QTc interval. Osimertinib should be withheld then restarted at a reduced dose or permanently discontinued.
Cardiomyopathy: Occurred in 1.4% of patients. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) should be assessed before treatment and then every 3 months thereafter.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Osimertinib can cause fetal harm. Females should be advised of the potential risk to the fetus and to use effective contraception during treatment with Osimertinib and for 6 weeks after the final dose. Males should be advised to use effective contraception for 4 months, after the last dose of Osimertinib.

Use in Pregnancy & Lactation

Based on its mechanism of action and animal data, Osimertinib can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available data on Osimertinib use in pregnant women. Pregnant women should be advised of the potential risk to a fetus.
There are no data on the presence of Osimertinib in human milk, the effects of Osimertinib on the breastfed infant or on milk production. A lactating woman should be advised not to breastfeed during treatment.

Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of Osimertinib in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric Use
No overall differences in safety were observed between patients 65 years and older and those younger than 65 years.

Drug Interaction

Strong CYP3A Inhibitors
Concomitant administration of Osimertinib should be avoided with strong CYP3A inhibitors, including macrolide antibiotics (e.g., telithromycin), antifungals (e.g., itraconazole), antivirals (e.g., ritonavir), nefazodone, as concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors may increase Osimertinib plasma concentrations. If no other alternative exists, patients should be monitored more closely for adverse reactions.

Strong CYP3A Inducers
Concomitant administration of Osimertinib should be avoided with strong CYP3A inducers (e.g., phenytoin, rifampicin, carbamazepine, St. John’s Wort) as strong CYP3A inducers may decrease Osimertinib plasma concentrations.

Commercial Pack

Osicent 80 Container Pack: Each bottle contains 30 tablets.
Osicent 80: Each box contains 1 blister strip of 10 tablets.

19 Oct
FEATURED NEWS & ARTICLES, Cancer News, ONCOLOGY, oncology medicine

PANOVIR TABLET

Presentation

Panovir: Each tablet contains Sofosbuvir INN 400 mg and Velpatasvir INN 100 mg.

Description

It is a fixed-dose combination tablet containing sofosbuvir and velpatasvir for oral administration. Sofosbuvir is a nucleotide analogue HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitor and velpatasvir is an NS5A inhibitor.

Indications

Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir combination is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 infection

– without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis

– with decompensated cirrhosis for use in combination with ribavirin

Dosage & Administration

The recommended dosage is one tablet (400 mg of Sofosbuvir and 100 mg of Velpatasvir) taken orally once daily. Recommended treatment regimen:
– Patients without cirrhosis and patients with compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A) – one tablet once daily for 12 weeks
– Patients with decompensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B or C) – one tablet once daily and Ribavirin for 12 weeks. The recommended dosage of Ribavirin is based on body weight (1000 mg/day for patients < 75 kg and 1200 mg/day for ≥ 75 kg, in two divided doses/day)

No dosage recommendation can be given for patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR ≤ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2) or with ESRD, due to higher exposures of the predominant sofosbuvir metabolite.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of the Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir combination include headache and tiredness. Treatment may result in slowing of the heart rate along with other symptoms when taken with amiodarone (a medicine used to treat certain heart problems).

Precautions

Serious symptomatic bradycardia may occur in patients taking amiodarone, particularly in patients also receiving beta-blockers, or those with underlying cardiac comorbidities and/or advanced liver disease. Coadministration of amiodarone with Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir combination is not recommended. In patients without alternative viable treatment options, cardiac monitoring is recommended.

Use in Pregnancy & Lactation

No adequate human data are available to establish whether or not Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir combination poses a risk to pregnancy outcomes. If Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir combination administered with Ribavirin, the combination regimen is contraindicated in pregnant women and in men whose female partner is pregnant or going to be pregnant in the next six months.

Drug Interaction

Drugs may decrease the concentrations of sofosbuvir and/or velpatasvir: Antacids, H2-receptor antagonists, Proton-pump inhibitors etc.
Coadministration is not recommended with: topotecan, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital, Oxcarbazepine, Rifabutin, Rifampin, Rifapentine, efavirenz, Tipranavir, Ritonavir, Hypericum perforatum.
Coadministration of Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir combination, with Rosuvastatin, Atorvastatin may significantly increase the concentration of Rosuvastatin, Atorvastatin.

OverDose

If an overdose occurs the patient must be monitored for evidence of toxicity. Treatment of overdose includes monitoring of vital signs as well as observation of the clinical status of the patient.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place (preferably below 30°C). Keep out of reach of children.

Commercial Pack

Panovir Container Pack: Each bottle contains 28 tablets.
Hanover : Each box contains 1 blister strip of 6 tablets.

12 Oct
Cancer News, FEATURED NEWS & ARTICLES, ONCOLOGY, oncology medicine

Tofacent 5

Tofacent 5: Each tablet contains Tofacitinib Citrate INN equivalent to Tofacitinib 5 mg

Tofacent XR 11: Each Extended-Release tablet contains Tofacitinib Citrate INN equivalent to Tofacitinib 11 mg

Description

Tofacitinib is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. JAKs are intracellular enzymes that transmit signals arising from cytokine or growth factor-receptor interactions on the cellular membrane to influence cellular processes of hematopoiesis and immune cell function. Within the signalling pathway, JAKs phosphorylate and activate Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs) which modulate intracellular activity including gene expression. Tofacitinib modulates the signalling pathway at the point of JAKs, preventing the phosphorylation and activation of STATs. JAK enzymes transmit cytokine signalling through the pairing of JAKs (e.g., JAK1/JAK3, JAK1/JAK2, JAK1/TyK2 and JAK2/JAK2). Tofacitinib inhibited the in vitro activities of JAK1/JAK2, JAK1/JAK3, and JAK2/JAK2 combinations with IC50 of 406, 56, and 1377 nM, respectively. However, the relevance of specific JAK combinations to therapeutic effectiveness is not known.

Indications

Tofacitinib / Tofacitinib XR is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Tofacitinib / Tofacitinib XR is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active

rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate. It may be used as monotherapy or in

combination with methotrexate or other nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

• Psoriatic Arthritis: Tofacitinib / Tofacitinib XR is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis who have

had an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate or other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

• Ulcerative Colitis: Tofacitinib is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC).

• Limitations of Use: Use of Tofacitinib / Tofacitinib XR in combination with biologic DMARDs or potent immunosuppressants such as

azathioprine and cyclosporine are not recommended.

Dosage & Administration

Administration Instructions

Do not initiate Tofacitinib / Tofacitinib XR if absolute lymphocyte count <500 cells/mm3

, an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <1000

cells/mm3

or hemoglobin <9 g/dL.

Recommended Dosage:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily or Tofacitinib XR 11 mg once daily. Recommended dosage in patients with

moderate and severe renal impairment or moderate hepatic impairment is Tofacitinib 5 mg once daily.

• Psoriatic Arthritis (in combination with nonbiologic DMARDs): Tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily or Tofacitinib XR 11 mg once daily.

Recommended dosage in patients with moderate and severe renal impairment or moderate hepatic impairment is Tofacitinib 5 mg once daily.

• Ulcerative Colitis: • Induction: Tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily or Tofacitinib XR 22 mg once daily for 8 weeks; evaluate patients and

transition to maintenance therapy depending on therapeutic response. If needed, continue Tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily or Tofacitinib

XR 22 mg once daily for a maximum of 16 weeks. Discontinue Tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily or Tofacitinib XR 22 mg once daily after

16 weeks if the adequate therapeutic response is not achieved. • Maintenance: Tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily or Tofacitinib XR 11 mg once

daily. For patients with loss of response during maintenance treatment, Tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily or Tofacitinib XR 22 mg once

daily may be considered and limited to the shortest duration, with careful consideration of the benefits and risks for the individual

patient. Use the lowest effective dose needed to maintain response. • Dosage adjustment is needed in patients with moderate and

severe renal impairment or moderate hepatic impairment.

Side Effects

The most common adverse reactions are:

• Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis: Reported during the first 3 months in rheumatoid arthritis controlled clinical trials and occurring in

≥2% of patients treated with Tofacitinib monotherapy or in combination with DMARDs: upper respiratory tract infection,

nasopharyngitis, diarrhoea, and headache.

• Ulcerative Colitis: Reported in ≥5% of patients treated with either 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily of Tofacitinib and ≥1% greater than

reported in patients receiving placebo in either the induction or maintenance clinical trials: nasopharyngitis elevated cholesterol

levels, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, increased blood creatine phosphokinase, rash, diarrhoea, and herpes zoster.

Precautions

• Serious Infections: Use of Tofacitinib / Tofacitinib XR should be avoided during an active serious infection, including localized infections.

• Gastrointestinal Perforations: Caution should be used in patients that may be at increased risk.

• Laboratory Monitoring: Laboratory Monitoring should be recommended due to potential changes in lymphocytes, neutrophils,

haemoglobin, liver enzymes and lipids.

• Immunizations: Live vaccines: Use with Tofacitinib / Tofacitinib XR should be avoided.

Use in Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Tofacitinib should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. It is not known whether Tofacitinib is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from Tofacitinib, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug for the mother. Pediatric Use: The safety and effectiveness of Tofacitinib in pediatric patients have not been established. Geriatric Use: The frequency of serious infection among Tofacitinib-treated subjects 65 years of age and older was higher than among those under the age of 65. As there is a higher incidence of infections in the elderly population in general, caution should be used when treating the elderly.

Drug Interaction

Strong CP3A4 Inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole): Dosage adjustment of Tofacitinib / Tofacitinib XR is recommended.

Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors Coadministered with Strong CYP2C19 Inhibitors (e.g., fluconazole): Dosage adjustment of Tofacitinib /

Tofacitinib XR is recommended.

Strong CYP3A4 Inducers (e.g., rifampin): Coadministration with Tofacitinib / Tofacitinib XR is not recommended.

Immunosuppressive drugs (e.g., azathioprine, tacrolimus, and cyclosporine): Coadministration with Tofacitinib / Tofacitinib XR is not

recommended.

Storage

Do not store above 30 0C. Keep away from light and out of the reach of children.

Commercial Pack

Tofacent 5: Each box contains 2 blister strips of 10 tablets.

Tofacent XR 11 Container Pack: Each bottle contains 10 tablets.