This medication is used to treat a certain inherited
muscle disorder (Duchenne muscular dystrophy-DMD). Vamorolone belongs to a
class of drugs known as corticosteroids.
Read the Instructions for Use if available from your
pharmacist before you start taking vamorolone and each time you get a
refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with a meal as directed by
your doctor, usually once daily.
Shake the bottle well for 30 seconds before each dose.
Carefully measure the dose using the oral syringe that comes with the
medication. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the
correct dose. Swallow the medication directly from the syringe. Do not mix
it with water or other liquids. Rinse the syringe with water after each
use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any
questions.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response
to treatment, weight, 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).
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
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 side effects will increase.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting
your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly
stopped. Also, you may experience symptoms such as weakness, weight loss,
nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, headache, and tiredness. To prevent these
symptoms while you are stopping treatment with this drug, your doctor may
reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more
details. Report any new or worsening symptoms right away.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or weight gain may occur. If any of
these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- weakness
- puffy face
- unusual weight gain
- swelling ankles/feet/hands
- slow wound healing
- thinning skin
- bone pain
- menstrual period changes
- mental/mood changes (such as depression, mood swings,
agitation)
- easy bruising/bleeding
- symptoms of stomach/intestinal bleeding (such as
stomach/abdominal pain, black/tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee
grounds)
- vision problems
- red/purple spots on the skin
This medication may rarely make your blood sugar rise,
which can cause or worsen diabetes. Tell your doctor right away if you have
symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. If you
already have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly as directed and
share the results with your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your
diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
This medication may lower your ability to fight
infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal)
infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away
if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go
away, fever, chills).
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 vamorolone, 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:
- infections (such as tuberculosis, herpes, fungal
infections)
- high blood pressure
- heart problems (such as heart failure, recent heart
attack)
- kidney disease
- liver disease (such as hepatitis B)
- mental/mood disorders (such as psychosis, anxiety,
depression)
- mineral imbalance (such as low level of potassium/calcium in
the blood)
- thyroid disease
- stomach/intestinal problems (such as ulcer, ulcerative
colitis, diverticulitis, unexplained diarrhea)
- diabetes
- eye problems (such as cataracts, glaucoma)
- bone loss (osteoporosis)
- blood clots
- a certain adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)
Using corticosteroid medications for a long time can
make it more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Before
having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious
illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this
medication or have used this medication within the past 12 months. Tell
your doctor right away if you develop unusual/extreme tiredness or weight
loss. If you will be using this medication for a long time, carry a warning
card or medical ID bracelet that identifies your use of this
medication.
Vamorolone can make you more likely to get infections or
may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an
infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles,
flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for
more details.
Tell your health care professional that you are using
vamorolone before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with
people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine
inhaled through the nose).
This medication may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of
alcohol while using this medication may increase your risk for stomach
bleeding. Limit alcoholic beverages. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for
more information.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
This medication may slow down a child's growth if used
for a long time. Consult the doctor or pharmacist for more details. See the
doctor regularly so your child's height and growth can be
checked.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. It may rarely harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks
and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using
this medication for an extended time may have hormone problems. Tell your
doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as nausea/vomiting that
doesn't stop, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast
milk. 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.
Some products that may interact with this drug
are:
- aldesleukin
- desmopressin
- mifepristone
- relacorilant
- drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including
antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen,
"blood thinners" such as warfarin/dabigatran)
If your doctor has told you to take low-dose aspirin to
prevent heart attack or stroke (usually 81-162 milligrams a day), you
should keep taking the aspirin unless your doctor tells you not to. Ask
your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
This medication may interfere with certain lab tests
(such as skin tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab
personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
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 blood mineral levels,
blood sugar, complete blood count, bone density, blood pressure, eye exams)
should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and
lab appointments.
This medication may cause bone loss (osteoporosis) when
used for a long time. Lifestyle changes that may help reduce the risk of
bone problems include doing weight-bearing exercise, stopping smoking,
limiting alcohol, and getting enough calcium and vitamin D. Talk to your
doctor for more details.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store the unopened bottle upright in the original carton
at room temperature away from light. After opening, store the bottle
upright in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Once the bottle is opened, this
medication expires after 3 months. 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.
Your condition can cause complications in a medical
emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call
1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).