This medication is used to treat bladder cancer.
Erdafitinib belongs to a class of drugs known as kinase inhibitors. It
works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells that have a certain
type of abnormal gene ("FGFR").
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking erdafitinib and each time you get a
refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Swallow the medication whole.
If you vomit after taking erdafitinib, do not take another dose on the same
day. Wait until the next day to take your regular dose.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and
response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more
often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any
faster, and your risk of serious side effects will
increase.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
tablets.
Nausea, vomiting, mouth sores/pain, change in how food
tastes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, weight
loss, tiredness, dry mouth/skin, or muscle/joint pain may occur. If any of
these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should
return after treatment has ended.
People using this medication may have serious side
effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor
has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side
effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your
risk.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- nail problems (such as nail pain/bleeding, lifting off the
nail bed, changes in color or texture, infected skin around the
nail)
Eye problems commonly occur, but can also be serious. To
prevent or treat dry eyes, use lubricating eye drops/gels/ointments every 2
hours while you are awake. Tell your doctor right away if you develop
blurred/decreased vision or loss of vision.
This medication may cause your blood phosphate levels to
increase. Your doctor will check phosphate levels regularly during
treatment, and may adjust your dose of erdafitinib. You may be asked to
change your diet to limit the amount of phosphate your body absorbs. You
may also be prescribed other medication to treat high phosphate levels.
Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high phosphate levels,
such as muscle cramps, numbness/tingling around the mouth.
Erdafitinib may make you develop a skin problem called
hand-foot syndrome. To help prevent this, protect your hands and feet from
heat or increased pressure. Avoid activities such as using hot dishwater,
taking tub baths, jogging, long walks, or using garden or household tools
such as screwdrivers. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, redness,
blisters, or numbness of the hands/feet. Your doctor may prescribe
medication (such as balm) to help with symptoms. If symptoms affect your
usual activities, get medical help right away.
For women of childbearing age, this medication may
affect your ability to have children. Ask your doctor for more
details.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking erdafitinib, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic
reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more
details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- eye or vision problems
- kidney disease
- liver disease
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects
of this drug.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
tablets.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using erdafitinib.
Erdafitinib may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor should order a pregnancy
test before you start this medication. Men and women using this medication
should ask about reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for 1
month after the last dose. If you or your partner becomes pregnant, talk to
your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this
medication.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast
milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not
recommended while using this medication and for 1 month after the last
dose. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Other medications can affect the removal of erdafitinib
from your body, which may affect how erdafitinib works. Examples include
rifamycins (such as rifabutin, rifampin), St. John's wort, drugs used to
treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among
others.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as eye exams, blood
phosphate levels, complete blood count, kidney/liver function) should be
done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab
appointments.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
you don't remember until the next day, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.