Introduction Ayvakit (Avapritinib)
Ayvakit, sold under the brand name Avapritinib among others, is a medication used for the treatment of advanced systemic mastocytosis and for the treatment of tumours due to one specific rare mutation. Avapritinib is used to treat a certain type of gastrointestinal stromal tumour in adults that have spread to other parts of the body or that cannot be removed by surgery. Avapritinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps to stop or slow the spread of cancer cells.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved avapritinib in January 2020. The application for avapritinib was granted fast track designation, breakthrough therapy designation, and orphan drug designation. The FDA granted approval of Ayvakit to Blueprint Medicines Corporation The recommended dose was determined to be 300 mg once daily.
Avapritinib comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once daily on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before and 2 hours after a meal. Take avapritinib at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take avapritinib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. If you vomit after taking avapritinib, do not take another dose. Continue your regular dosing schedule.
Your doctor may decrease your avapritinib dose or stop your treatment depending on how well the medication works for you and if you experience any side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with avapritinib. Do not stop taking avapritinib without talking to your doctor.
Side effects:
- stomach pain
- vomiting
- nausea
- diarrhoea
- heartburn
- headache
- tiredness
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- hair loss
- hair colour changes
- weight loss
- teary eyes
- taste changes
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking avapritinib and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- swelling of face, eyes, mouth, or throat
- swelling of hands, ankles, or feet
- vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds or red or tarry black stools
- severe headache, vision problems, drowsiness, extreme tiredness, or weakness on one side of your body
- forgetfulness, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, difficulty speaking, hallucinations, or changes in mood or behaviour
- rash
- shortness of breath
- fever or other signs of infection
Precautions:
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to avapritinib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in avapritinib tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease.
- If you are female, you will need to take a pregnancy test before you start treatment and use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for 6 weeks after your final dose. If you are a male, you and your partner should use birth control during your treatment and for 6 weeks after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you or your partner become pregnant while taking avapritinib, call your doctor immediately. Avapritinib may harm the fetus.
- Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you are taking avapritinib and for at least 2 weeks after your final dose.
- You should know that this medication may decrease fertility in men and women. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking avapritinib.
- You should know that avapritinib may make you dizzy, drowsy, or confused. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
