This medication is used to treat a certain type of
cancer (chronic lymphocytic leukemia-CLL). Idelalisib belongs to a class of
drugs known as kinase inhibitors. It works by slowing or stopping the
growth of cancer cells.
See also Warning section.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist
before you start taking idelalisib 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 twice daily. Swallow the tablets whole. Do
not chew or crush the tablets.
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 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.
See also Warning section.
Diarrhea, headache, heartburn, mouth/throat sores, and
trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell
your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
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:
- easy bruising/bleeding
- swelling hands/ankles/feet
- sudden vision changes
Idelalisib can commonly cause a rash that is usually not
serious. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a rare rash
that could be a sign of a severe reaction. Get medical help right away if
you develop any rash.
This medication can weaken the immune system/increase
the risk of infection, including a rare but very serious (possibly fatal)
brain infection (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy-PML). Get
medical help right away if you have any of these side
effects:
- clumsiness
- loss of coordination/balance
- weakness
- sudden change in your thinking (such as confusion, difficulty
concentrating, memory loss)
- difficulty talking/walking
- seizure
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 idelalisib, 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:
- liver disease
- lung problems
- stomach/intestinal ulcers
- current serious infection
Idelalisib 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
idelalisib before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with
people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine
inhaled through the nose).
To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured,
use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid
activities such as contact sports.
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.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using idelalisib. Idelalisib
may harm an unborn baby. Women using this medication should ask about
reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for 1 month after the
last dose. Men using this medication should ask about reliable forms of
birth control during treatment and for 3 months 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.
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.
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 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.
Some products that may interact with this drug
are:
- bendamustine
- other drugs that weaken the immune system/increase the risk
of infection (such as natalizumab, rituximab)
Other medications can affect the removal of idelalisib
from your body, which may affect how idelalisib works. Examples include
rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, St. John's wort, among
others.
This medication can slow down the removal of other
medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of
affected drugs include daridorexant, domperidone, elacestrant, finerenone,
flibanserin, ivabradine, lurasidone, mavacamten, midazolam, pacritinib,
sparsentan, triazolam, 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 liver function,
complete blood count) should be done before you start taking this
medication and while you are taking it. Keep all medical and lab
appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is more than 6 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 in the original container 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.
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).