Patient and Healthcare Provider Resource

Patient and Healthcare Providers Resource

OralChemoEdSheets.com, Patient + Healthcare Providers Resource

OralChemoEdSheets.com, the Patient and Healthcare Providers Resource

Generic

Pacritinib

(pak-RIH-tih-nib)

Brand

Vonjo™

(VON-joh)

Pacritinib (Vonjo™) is used to treat patients with myelofibrosis.

 
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Page 1 Name of your medication Generic name — pacritinib (pak-RIH-tih-nib) Brand name — Vonjo™ (VON-joh) Approved uses Pacritinib is used to treat patients with myelofibrosis. Dose and schedule Taking pacritinib as instructed is important to allow your treatment to be as effective as possible, so here are some key points to remember. o Your dose may vary, but the usual dose of pacritinib is 200 milligram (200 mg) to be taken by mouth at a scheduled time twice a day. o Pacritinib can be taken with or without food, but at the same time each day. o Pacritinib should be taken whole and not crushed, cut, or dissolved. If you are unable to swallow pacritinib, talk to your care provider or pharmacist for possible options. o If you miss a dose of pacritinib, do not take an extra dose or two doses at one time. Simply take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Be sure to write down if you miss a dose and let your care provider know about any missed doses. Drug and food interactions o Pacritinib has many drug interactions, please inform your care providers of all prescription medications, over-the counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. o Grapefruit or grapefruit juice may interact with pacritinib; avoid eating or drinking these during treatment with pacritinib. o Talk with your care provider or pharmacist before taking new medications or supplements, or receiving any vaccines. Storage and handling Handle pacritinib with care. Just like when chemotherapy is given into the vein, this drug can be toxic, and exposure of the drug to others should be limited. o Store pacritinib at room temperature (68° to 77°F) in a dry location away from light. o Keep pacritinib out of reach of children and pets. o Leave pacritinib in the provided packaging until it is ready to be taken. o Whenever possible, you should give pacritinib to yourself and follow the steps below. If a family member, friend, or caregiver needs to give the pacritinib to you, they also need to follow these steps: 1. Wash hands with soap and water. 2. Put on gloves to avoid touching the medication. (Gloves are not necessary if you give the drug to yourself.) 3. Gently transfer the pacritinib from its package to a small medicine or other disposable cup. PACRITINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 2 Side Effects of Pacritinib Below are common side effects that have been known to happen in about one third or more of patients taking pacritinib; these are listed on the left side of this table. You MAY NOT experience these side effects. Options to help manage any side effects that do occur are included on the right side of this table. These should be discussed with your care provider. If you experience any side effect you cannot manage or that is not listed here, contact your care provider. Possible Side Effect Management Diarrhea (loose and/ or urgent bowel movements) Monitor how many bowel movements you have each day. • Drink 8-10 glasses of water/fluid each day unless your care provider has instructed you to limit your fluid intake. • Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day rather than a few large meals. • Eat bland, low-fiber foods (such as bananas, applesauce, potatoes, chicken, rice, and toast). • Avoid high fiber foods, such as raw vegetables, raw fruits, and whole grains. • Avoid foods that cause gas, such as broccoli and beans. • Avoid lactose-containing foods, such as yogurt and milk. • Avoid spicy, fried, and greasy foods. Contact your provider if any of the following occur: • The number of bowel movements you have in a day increases by 4 or more. • You feel dizzy or lightheaded. Your care provider may recommend an over-the counter medication called loperamide (Imodium®) to help with your diarrhea, but talk to your care provider before starting this medication. Continued on the next page 4. Administer the medicine immediately by mouth with water. 5. Remove gloves and do not use them for anything else. 6. Throw gloves and medicine cup in household trash. 7. Wash hands with soap and water. o A daily pill box or pill reminder is not recommended to be used with pacritinib. o If you have any unused pacritinib, do not throw it in the trash and do not flush it down the sink or toilet. Talk to your care provider or pharmacist about proper disposal of pacritinib. o If you are traveling, put your pacritinib’s packaging in a separate sealed plastic bag. Ask your pharmacist if any additional travel precautions are needed. Page 3 Decreased platelet count and increased risk of bleeding Your platelets should be monitored by a simple blood test. When they are low, you may bruise or bleed more easily than usual. • Use caution to avoid bruises, cuts, or burns. • Blow your nose gently and do not pick your nose. • Brush your teeth gently with a soft toothbrush and maintain good oral hygiene. • When shaving use an electronic razor instead of razor blades. • Use a nail file instead of a nail clippers. Call your care provider if you have bleeding that won’t stop. Examples include: • A bloody nose that bleeds for more than 5 minutes despite pressure • A cut that continues to ooze despite pressure • Gums that bleed excessively when you floss or brush Seek medical help immediately if you experience any severe headaches, blood in your urine or stool, coughing up blood, or prolonged and uncontrollable bleeding. You may need to take a break or “hold” your medication for medical or dental procedures. Talk to your care provider or dentist before any scheduled procedures. Nausea Eat and drink slowly. • Eat bland foods; avoid spicy, fried, and greasy foods. • Avoid vigorous exercise immediately after eating. • Don’t lay down immediately after eating. • Avoid strong odors. Let your provider know if you experience nausea or vomiting. Your provider may prescribe medication to help with the nausea or vomiting. Page 4 Serious side effects o QTc prolongation: Pacritinib may cause a condition called QT or QTc prolongation which is a heart rhythm that can cause fast, irregular heartbeats. These fast heartbeats may cause you to faint or have a seizure. In rare cases, this could be lifethreatening. Tell your care team right away if you feel faint, lightheaded, dizzy, or if you feel your heart beating irregularly or fast, while taking pacritinib. o You may be at risk for developing a serious infection during treatment. Tell your provider if you have any symptoms of infection, including fever, chills, and aches. If you stop pacritinib and your symptoms get worse, notify your healthcare provider. If you experience ANY uncontrolled side effect, call your physician or healthcare center immediately: (INSTITUTIONAL CONTACT INFO) Handling body fluids and waste Because pacritinib remains in your body for several days after it is taken, some of the drug may be present in urine, stool, sweat, or vomit. Once you have started to take pacritinib, it is important to know the following instructions every day for as long as your treatment lasts. This is to keep yourself, loved ones, and the environment as safe as possible. o Pregnant women should avoid touching anything that may be soiled with body fluids from the patient. o Toilet and septic systems • You may use the same toilet, septic tank, and/or sewer that you usually use. If you have a low-flow toilet, close the lid and flush twice to ensure all waste has been discarded. • If the toilet or toilet seat becomes soiled with urine, stool, or vomit, clean the surfaces before other people use the toilet. • Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet. o If you need a bedpan, be sure your caregiver knows to wear gloves to assist with cleanup and to wash the bedpan with soap and water every day. o If you do not have good control of bladder or bowels, use a disposable pad with a plastic back, a diaper, or a sheet to absorb body waste. o Wash any skin that has been exposed to body waste or pacritinib with soap and water. o Linens or clothing that are soiled with body fluids or body waste should be washed separately from other linens and clothing. If you do not have a washer, place the soiled linens in a plastic bag until they can be washed. o Wash hands with soap and water after touching linens or clothing that may be soiled with body fluids. Pregnancy, sexual activity, and contraception o Women should not become pregnant and men should not get a partner pregnant while taking pacritinib. Men and women of childbearing age and potential should use effective contraception during therapy and for a minimum of one month after the last dose of pacritinib. o Effective contraception could include one or more of the following: oral contraceptive, barrier methods, etc. o Do not breastfeed while taking pacritinib and for two weeks after the last dose of pacritinib. Page 5 o Please inform your care provider if you become pregnant. o It is safe to hug and kiss. Special precautions may be needed for sexual activity while on oral chemotherapy and you are encouraged to ask your care team for assistance. Obtaining medication o Talk with your care provider about the process for obtaining your pacritinib. (PHARMACY OR SPECIALTY PHARMACY CONTACT INFO) Additional resources Product website: www.vonjo.com/hcp Product prescribing information: www.ctibiopharma.com/VONJO_USPI.pdf Product resources: www.vonjo.com/hcp/support Updated – March 17, 2022 Additional instructions Important notice: The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA), National Community Oncology Dispensing Association, Inc. (NCODA), and Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) have collaborated in gathering information for and developing this patient education guide. This guide represents a brief summary of the medication derived from information provided by the drug manufacturer and other resources. This guide does not cover all existing information related to the possible uses, directions, doses, precautions, warnings, interactions, adverse effects, or risks associated with this medication and should not substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Provision of this guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of this medication by ACCC, HOPA, NCODA, or ONS, who assume no liability for and cannot ensure the accuracy of the information presented. The collaborators are not making any representations with respect to the medications whatsoever, and any and all decisions, with respect to such medications, are at the sole risk of the individual consuming the medication. All decisions related to taking this medication should be made with the guidance and under the direction of a qualified healthcare professional. Permission: Oral Chemotherapy Education (OCE) sheets are provided as a free educational resource for patients with cancer in need of concise, easy-to-understand information about oral cancer drugs. Healthcare providers are permitted to copy and distribute the sheets to patients as well as direct patients to the OCE website for information. However, commercial reproduction or reuse, as well as rebranding or reposting of any type, are strictly prohibited without permission of the copyright holder. Please email permission requests and licensing inquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Copyright © 2022 by Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association. All rights reserved.

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