This medication is used to treat certain types of cancer
(such as bile duct cancer, myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms). Pemigatinib works
by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. It belongs to a class of
drugs known as kinase inhibitors.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start using pemigatinib 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. For the treatment of myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms,
this medication is usually taken once daily. For the treatment of bile duct
cancer, this medication is usually taken in cycles of 21 days (once daily
for 14 days, then stopping the medication for 7 days). Keep taking the
medication this way as directed by your doctor.
Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush, chew, split, or
dissolve the tablets.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice
while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may
do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this
medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response
to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your
doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including
prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). If you
have certain side effects, your doctor may adjust your dose or stop
treatment for some time.
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.
If you vomit your dose of pemigatinib, do not take
another dose. Take your next dose at your regular scheduled time. Do not
take two doses at the same time.
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day on the
days that you are scheduled to take the medication.
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.
Dry eyes, loss of appetite, weight loss, mouth sores,
dry mouth, changes in taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation,
tiredness/weakness, headache, or dry skin may occur. If any of these
effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
To relieve or prevent dry eyes, use lubricating eye
drops or gel (such as artificial tears).
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:
- vision changes (such as blurred vision, seeing
floaters/flashes of light)
- signs of high phosphate levels (such as muscle cramps,
mental/mood changes, numbness/tingling around the mouth)
- nail problems (such as loosening of nail)
- stomach/abdominal pain
- yellowing eyes/skin
- signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of
urine)
- signs of infection (such as fever, chills)
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- joint pain
- tingling/burning/swelling of the hands/feet
- signs of dehydration (such as extreme thirst, dizziness,
fainting)
- unusual tiredness
- easy bruising/bleeding
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 pemigatinib, 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 disorders
- high level of phosphate in the blood
- liver disease
- kidney disease
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
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 pemigatinib.
Pemigatinib 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
week 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 drug passes into breast milk.
Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not
recommended while using this drug and for 1 week 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 pemigatinib
from your body, which may affect how pemigatinib works. Examples include
rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin), drugs to treat seizures (such as
phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital), St. John's wort, 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 exam, blood
mineral levels, liver/kidney function, complete blood counts) should be
done before you start taking this medication and while you are taking it.
Keep all medical and lab appointments.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is more than 4 hours after the missed dose, 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.