Lonafarnib

Generic name: Lonafarnib
Brand names: Zokinvy
Dosage form: oral capsule (50 mg; 75 mg)
Drug class: Miscellaneous metabolic agents

Usage of Lonafarnib

Lonafarnib is for use in people with certain rare genetic conditions that cause premature and rapid aging. Lonafarnib is for use in adults and children at least 12 months old whose bodies have reached a certain size (a body surface area of 0.39 square meters).

Lonafarnib is used to lower the risk of death in people with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS).

Lonafarnib is also used to treat certain types of Progeroid Laminopathies that are "processing-deficient."

lonafarnib is not for use in people with non-HGPS Progeroid Syndromes or with Progeroid Laminopathies that are "processing-proficient."

Lonafarnib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Lonafarnib side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Lonafarnib may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

new or worsening vision problems (such as decreased night vision);

severe ongoing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

loss of appetite that causes weight loss;

high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, pounding in your neck or ears;

kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;

high potassium level--nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement;

low potassium level--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling;

low sodium level --headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;

low calcium level--muscle spasms or contractions, numbness or tingly feeling (around your mouth, or in your fingers and toes); or

signs of infection--fever, chills, cough, rash, swelling, diarrhea, pain or burning when you urinate.

Common side effects of lonafarnib may include:

an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium, sodium, or calcium in your blood);

infection;

increased blood pressure;

stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

decreased appetite, weight loss;

headache;

feeling tired;

muscle or joint pain;

cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough; or

abnormal lab tests;

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Lonafarnib

You should not use lonafarnib if you are also using certain other medicines.

Many drugs can interact and cause dangerous effects. Some drugs should not be used together with lonafarnib. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

midazolam;

St. John's wort;

phenobarbital or other barbiturate medicine;

an antibiotic or antifungal medicine;

antiviral medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C;

cancer medicine;

cholesterol medicine (atorvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin);

heart or blood pressure medicine;

seizure medicine; or

steroid medicine.

You may need to stop using lonafarnib for 10 to 14 days before and 2 days after using certain other medicines. Do not stop taking lonafarnib without your doctor's advice.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease; or

eye problems.

Lonafarnib may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

lonafarnib may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, women should still use birth control to prevent pregnancy because lonafarnib can harm an unborn baby.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

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How to use Lonafarnib

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Lonafarnib is usually taken daily with morning and evening meals. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into 1 to 2 teaspoons of Ora Blend SF, Ora-Plus, orange juice, or applesauce. Swallow the mixture within 10 minutes after mixing. Do not save it for later use.

Do not mix the contents of a lonafarnib capsule with grapefruit juice or Seville orange juice. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Lonafarnib doses are based on body surface area (height and weight). Your dose needs may change if you gain or lose weight or if you are still growing.

Your doctor may need to check your vision on a regular basis.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Warnings

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together.

What other drugs will affect Lonafarnib

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many drugs can affect lonafarnib. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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