This medication is used to treat lung cancer.
Osimertinib belongs to a class of drugs known as kinase inhibitors. It
works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. It binds to a
certain protein (epidermal growth factor receptor-EGFR) in some
tumors.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking osimertinib 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.
If you have trouble swallowing the tablet whole, place
the tablet into a container with a small amount of non-carbonated water (2
ounces/60 milliliters). Stir well until the tablet breaks into small
pieces. The tablet will not completely dissolve. Do not crush the tablet or
heat the mixture. Drink all of the mixture right away. Add at least another
half a glass of water (4 ounces/120 milliliters) to the container and drink
all of the mixture to make sure you are getting all of the drug. Use only
non-carbonated water for mixing, and do not prepare a supply in advance.
The mixture may also be given through a tube into the stomach (nasogastric
tube). If you are giving this medication through a nasogastric tube, ask
your health care professional for detailed instructions on how to give
it.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and
response to treatment.
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 serious side effects will increase.
Diarrhea, mouth sores, dry/itchy skin, tiredness, back
pain, headache, or loss of appetite 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, such as:
- easy bruising/bleeding
- changes in your nails (such as nail
tenderness/irritation/redness, change in nail color)
- signs of eye disease (such as vision changes, eye
redness/pain, light sensitivity, eye discharge)
- signs of low level of sodium in the blood (such as nausea,
extreme drowsiness, mental/mood changes, seizures)
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, such as:
- slow/fast/irregular heartbeat
- severe dizziness
- fainting
- slow/shallow breathing
- symptoms of heart failure (such as swelling ankles/feet,
unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain)
- new or worsening symptoms of lung disease (such as shortness
of breath, chest pain, cough, fever)
- signs of blood clots (such as pain/swelling/warmth in the
groin/calf)
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 infections (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, such as:
- 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 osimertinib, 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.
Osimertinib may cause a condition that affects the heart
rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely
fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe
dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right
away.
The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have
certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT
prolongation. Before using osimertinib, tell your doctor or pharmacist of
all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following
conditions:
- certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT
prolongation in the EKG)
- family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in
the EKG, sudden cardiac death)
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may
also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you
use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have
conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your
doctor about using osimertinib safely.
This drug may cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use
machinery, or do anything that needs clear vision until you are sure you
can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic
beverages.
Osimertinib 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
osimertinib 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, especially QT prolongation (see above).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using osimertinib.
Osimertinib may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor should order a pregnancy
test before you start this medication. Women using this medication should
ask about reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for 6 weeks
after the last dose. Men using this medication should ask about reliable
forms of birth control during treatment and for 4 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.
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 2 weeks 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.
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 heart imaging,
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, 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.