Pexidartinib

pronounced as (pex" I dar' ti nib)

Brand Name(s): Turalio®

Why is this medicine prescribed?

Pexidartinib is used to treat tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TGCT; tumors in or around a joint that can cause pain, swelling, and reduce movement) in adults that cannot be treated by surgery. Pexidartinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein that may help the tumor to shrink.

Are there other uses for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Pexidartinib comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken two times a day with a low-fat meal or snack (about 400 calories, 11–14 grams fat). Ask your doctor for examples of foods that contain 11–14 grams of fat that you can eat when you take pexidartinib. Taking pexidartinib with a high-fat meal (about 800–1000 calories, 55–65 grams fat) may cause side effects. Do not take pexidartinib without food. Take pexidartinib at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take pexidartinib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the capsules whole; do not open, chew, or crush them.

If you vomit after taking pexidartinib, do not take another dose. Continue your regular dosing schedule.

Your doctor may decrease your dose of pexidartinib or permanently or temporarily stop your treatment. This depends on how well the medication works for you and the side effects you experience. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with pexidartinib.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking pexidartinib,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pexidartinib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in pexidartinib capsules. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • if you are taking antacids containing magnesium or aluminum (Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, others), take the antacid 2 hours before or at least 2 hours after you take pexidartinib.
  • if you are taking a medication for indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid, in Duexis), nizatidine (Axid), or ranitidine (Zantac), take it at least 10 hours before or at least 2 hours after you take pexidartinib.
  • The following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with pexidartinib: esomeprazole (Nexium 24HR), lansoprazole (Prevacid 24HR), omeprazole (Prilosec OTC, Zegerid OTC), and St. John's wort. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking pexidartinib. Do not start any of these medications while taking pexidartinib without discussing you're your healthcare provider.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or kidney disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if you plan to father a child. If you are female, you will need to take a pregnancy test before you start treatment and use non-hormonal birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for 1 month after your final dose. Pexidartinib may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, and injections). If you are a male, you and your partner should use birth control during your treatment with pexidartinib and for 1 week after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. Pexidartinib may decrease fertility in men and women. However, you should not assume that you or your partner cannot become pregnant. If you or your partner become pregnant while taking pexidartinib, call your doctor immediately. Pexidartinib may harm the fetus.
  • tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you are taking pexidartinib and for 1 week after your final dose.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication.

What should I do if I forget to take a dose?

Skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What should I do in case of overdose?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What side effects can this medicine cause?

Pexidartinib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • hair color changes
  • changes in taste
  • tiredness or weakness
  • constipation
  • hives, red skin, acne
  • swelling of the hands, feet, legs or ankles
  • swelling in or around the eye
  • numbness, burning, or tingling in the arms, hands, feet, or leg

Pexidartinib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. If you experience any of the symptoms listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Do not remove the desiccant (small packet included with medication to absorb moisture) from the bottle, if one has been provided.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website ( http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p ) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

What other information should I know?

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

subscribe section background