Zokinvy

Generic name: Lonafarnib
Drug class: Miscellaneous metabolic agents

Usage of Zokinvy

Zokinvy a prescription medicine used 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).

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

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

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

Zokinvy side effects

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

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 Zokinvy side effects 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 Zokinvy

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

Many drugs can interact and cause dangerous effects. Some drugs should not be used together with Zokinvy. 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 Zokinvy for 10 to 14 days before and 2 days after using certain other medicines. Do not stop taking Zokinvy without your doctor's advice.

To make sure Zokinvy is safe for you, 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.

This medicine 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.

Relate drugs

How to use Zokinvy

Usual Adult Dose for Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome:

Initial dose: 115 mg/m2 orally twice a day -After 4 months increase to 150 mg/m2 orally twice a day Maintenance dose: 115 mg/m2 or 150 mg/m2 twice a day.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome:

12 months and older with a Body Surface Area (BSA) of 0.39 m2 and above: Initial dose: 115 mg/m2 orally twice a day -After 4 months increase to 150 mg/m2 orally twice a day Maintenance dose: 115 mg/m2 or 150 mg/m2 twice a day Comments: -The total daily dose should be rounded to the nearest 25 mg increment. -For patients unable to tolerate a dose of 150 mg/m2 twice a day due to repeated episodes of vomiting and/or diarrhea resulting in dehydration or weight loss, may decrease dose to 115 mg/m2. -Limitations of Use: Not indicated for other Progeroid Syndromes or processing-proficient Progeroid Laminopathies since based upon its mechanism of action, it would not be expected to be effective. Uses: -To reduce the risk of mortality in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS). -For the treatment of processing deficient Progeroid Laminopathies with either: --Heterozygous LMNA mutation with progerin-like protein accumulation --Homozygous or compound heterozygous ZMPSTE24 mutations.

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.

Lonafarnib can harm your unborn baby. Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with Zokinvy.

It is not known if Zokinvy is safe and effective in children under 12 months of age.

What other drugs will affect Zokinvy

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 interact with 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

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