Vandetanib

Generic name: Vandetanib
Brand names: Caprelsa
Dosage form: oral tablet (100 mg; 300 mg)

Usage of Vandetanib

Vandetanib is used in adults to treat thyroid cancer.

Vandetanib is available only from a certified pharmacy under a special program.

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

Vandetanib side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

You may need to stop taking vandetanib permanently if you have a severe skin reaction.

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

fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);

wheezing, dry cough, feeling short of breath;

any wound that will not heal;

severe or ongoing diarrhea;

unusual bruising or bleeding;

cough with bloody mucus, vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

swelling, rapid weight gain;

headache, confusion, change in mental status, seizure;

thyroid symptoms--extreme tiredness, dry skin, joint pain or stiffness, muscle pain or weakness, hoarse voice, feeling more sensitive to cold temperatures, weight gain; or

high blood pressure--severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears, anxiety, irregular heartbeats.

Stop using vandetanib and call your doctor at once if you have signs of a stroke:

sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body);

confusion, trouble speaking or understanding what is said to you;

sudden severe headache; or

problems with vision or balance.

Common side effects of vandetanib may include:

high blood pressure;

diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite;

headache, tiredness;

acne, skin rash; or

cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

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 Vandetanib

You should not use vandetanib if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

long QT syndrome.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a heart rhythm disorder (in you or a family member);

other heart problems, or high blood pressure;

low blood levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium;

abnormal thyroid function tests;

a seizure;

breathing problems, cough with bloody mucus;

liver or kidney disease;

skin problems; or

severe diarrhea.

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

Do not use vandetanib if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 4 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 4 months after your last dose.

How to use Vandetanib

Usual Adult Dose for Thyroid Cancer:

Initial dose: 300 mg orally once daily. Duration of therapy: Continue drug until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs. Use: For the treatment of symptomatic or progressive medullary thyroid cancer in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease.

Warnings

Vandetanib can cause a serious heart problem, especially if you also use certain other medicines or have certain conditions. You should not use vandetanib if you have long QT syndrome. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines.

You will need medical tests every 2 weeks to 3 months.

Call your doctor right away if you have fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness.

What other drugs will affect Vandetanib

Vandetanib can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Many drugs can affect vandetanib. 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.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.