Ayvakit

What is AYVAKIT?

(AYVAKIT) This medication is used to treat a certain type of stomach, bowel, or esophagus cancer (gastrointestinal stromal tumor-GIST). Avapritinib is also be used to treat certain immune system disorders (advanced systemic mastocytosis, indolent systemic mastocytosis). Avapritinib belongs to a class of drugs known as kinase inhibitors. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells and certain immune system cells (mast cells).

How should I use AYVAKIT?

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking avapritinib and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take another dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of serious side effects will increase. Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the tablets.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take AYVAKIT?

Before taking avapritinib, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver problems, kidney problems, brain cancer, stroke/transient ischemic attack-TIA, a certain blood disorder (low platelet counts). Avapritinib can make you more likely to get infections or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles, flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details. Tell your health care professional that you are using avapritinib before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose). To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness. Your doctor may direct you to limit or avoid phototherapy while you use this product. Ask your doctor for details. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). This medication can affect fertility in both males and females. Ask your doctor for more details. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using avapritinib. Avapritinib may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor should order a pregnancy test before you start this medication. Men and women using this medication should ask about reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for 6 weeks after the last dose. If you or your partner becomes pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication. Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the tablets. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not recommended while using this drug and for 2 weeks after the last dose. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

What may interact with AYVAKIT?

See also How to Use section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Other medications can affect the removal of avapritinib from your body, which may affect how avapritinib works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as fluconazole, itraconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin), St. John's wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others.

What if I miss a dose of AYVAKIT?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

What side effects may I notice from receiving AYVAKIT?

Dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, muscle weakness, swelling, watery eyes, diarrhea, loss of appetite, change in how food tastes, stomach/abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting may occur. Nausea and vomiting can be severe. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. Eating several small meals, not eating before treatment, or limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Changes in hair color and temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended. People using this medication may have serious side effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk. This medication can affect your thinking or mood, which can be serious. Tell your doctor right away if you have any mental/mood changes such as forgetfulness, confusion, trouble thinking clearly, trouble finding words when talking, sleep problems, or hallucinations. Changes in behavior may also occur. Tell your doctor right away if you or a caregiver notice symptoms such as agitation, depression, irritability, or personality changes. This medication can rarely increase the risk of bleeding in the brain. Get medical help right away if you have any side effects such as severe headache, vision problems, severe drowsiness, or weakness on one side of your body. This medication may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills, cough). Avapritinib can commonly cause a rash that is usually not serious. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a rare rash that could be a sign of a severe reaction. Get medical help right away if you develop any rash. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Where should I keep AYVAKIT?

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.