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

Eltrombopag

(el-TROM-boh-pag)

Brand

Promacta®

(proh-MAK-tuh)

Eltrombopag (Promacta®) is used to treat:
• Low platelets in adult and pediatric patients one year and older with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenia (ITP)
• Low platelets in patients with chronic hepatitis C
• Severe aplastic anemia in patients who have not responded to other therapy

 
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Page 1 ELTROMBOPAG ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Name of your medication Generic name — eltrombopag el TROM boh pag Brand name — Promacta® proh MAK tuh Approved uses Eltrombopag is used to treat: Low platelets in adult and pediatric patients one year and older with chronic immune idiopathic thrombocytopenia ITP Low platelets in patients with chronic hepatitis C Severe aplastic anemia in patients who have not responded to other therapy Dose and schedule Taking eltrombopag as instructed is important to allow your treatment to be as effective as possible, so here are some key points to remember. Your dose may vary, but the usual dose of eltrombopag is between 25 milligrams 25 mg and 50 milligrams 50 mg to be taken by mouth at a scheduled time once a day. Eltrombopag should be taken on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal or snack at the same time each day. Eltrombopag should be taken whole and not crushed, cut, or dissolved. If you are unable to swallow eltrombopag, talk to your care provider or pharmacist for possible options. If you miss a dose of eltrombopag, 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. Storage and handling Handle eltrombopag 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. Store eltrombopag at room temperature 68°F–77°F in a dry location away from light. Once reconstituted, the oral suspension should be administered immediately but may be kept at room temperature 68°F–77°F for a maximum of 30 minutes. Keep eltrombopag out of reach of children and pets. Leave eltrombopag in the provided packaging until it is ready to be taken. Whenever possible, give eltrombopag to yourself and follow the steps below. If a family member, friend, or caregiver needs to give eltrombopag 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 eltrombopag from its package to a small medicine or other disposable cup. 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. ELTROMBOPAG ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 2 A daily pill box or pill reminder is not recommended for use with eltrombopag. If you have any unused eltrombopag, 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 eltrombopag. If you are traveling, put your eltrombopag in a sealed plastic bag. Ask your pharmacist if any additional travel precautions are needed. Handling body fluids and waste Because eltrombopag 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 eltrombopag, it is important to follow the instructions below every day for as long as your treatment lasts. This will keep yourself, loved ones, and the environment as safe as possible. Pregnant women should avoid touching anything that may be soiled with body fluids from the patient. 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. 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. 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. Wash any skin that has been exposed to body waste or eltrombopag with soap and water. 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. Wash hands with soap and water after touching linens or clothing that may be soiled with body fluids. Drug and food interactions Eltrombopag has many drug interactions. Inform your care providers of all prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products that you are taking. Eltrombopag should be taken at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after eating dairy products and drinking calcium fortified juices. Eltrombopag should be taken on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal or snack . Talk with your care provider or pharmacist before taking new medications or supplements, or receiving any vaccines. Serious side effects Eltrombopag can increase the risk of severe and potentially life threatening liver toxicity in patients with chronic hepatitis C. ELTROMBOPAG ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 3 Side Effects of Eltrombopag The common side effects that have been known to happen in more than 30% of patients taking eltrombopag are listed in 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 Nausea or vomiting Eat and drink slowly. Drink 8–10 glasses of water or 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 foods; avoid spicy, fried, and greasy foods. Avoid vigorous exercise immediately after eating. Don’t lie 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. If you experience ANY uncontrolled side effect, call your physician or healthcare center immediately: INSTITUTIONAL CONTACT INFO Pregnancy, sexual activity, and contraception Women should not become pregnant and men should not get a partner pregnant while taking eltrombopag. Men and women of childbearing age and potential should use effective contraception during therapy and for a minimum of 1 month after the last dose of eltrombopag. Do not breastfeed while taking eltrombopag and for a month after the last dose of eltrombopag. Inform your care provider if you become pregnant. It is safe to hug and kiss. Special precautions may be needed for sexual activity while on eltrombopag, and you are encouraged to ask your care provider. Obtaining medication Talk with your care provider about the process for obtaining your eltrombopag. PHARMACY OR SPECIALTY PHARMACY CONTACT INFO ELTROMBOPAG ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 4 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 © 2018 by Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association. All rights reserved. Additional resources Product website: www.us.promacta.com Product prescribing information: www.pharma.us.novartis.com/sites/www.pharma.us.novartis.com/files/ promacta.pdf Product resources: www.us.promacta.com Updated — May 3, 2018 Additional instructions