Imbruvica

Generic name: Ibrutinib

Drug class: BTK inhibitors

Dosage form: Capsule, Tablet, Suspension

Root of administration: Oral

Dose: 140 mg

Mechanism of action: Imbruvica (ibrutinib) is an oral targeted treatment that may be used alone or in combination with other medications to treat adults with the following types of blood cancers: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/ small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with 17p deletion, Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM).

Drug usage cases: It may also be used to treat adults and children aged 1 year and older with chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy.

Drug contra indications: To make sure Imbruvica is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

an infection, bleeding problems, take a blood thinner such as warfarin, a heart rhythm disorder, risk factors for heart disease (such as diabetes, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol), low blood cell counts, recent surgery or plan to have surgery, medical or dental procedure or liver disease. Taking Imbruvica may increase your risk of developing other cancers. Ask your doctor about this risk.

Side effects: Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:

fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, red or swollen gums, pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding or chest discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or hack, rapid weight loss. Imbruvica can cause you to bleed more easily. Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have:

easy bruising, unusual bleeding, or any bleeding that will not stop, bleeding inside your body – weakness, dizziness; pink or brown urine; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds or, bleeding in your brain – sudden weakness (especially on one side of the body), severe headache, problems with speech or vision. Imbruvica may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe or ongoing diarrhea, heart problems – swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath, heart rhythm disorders – dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, fast or irregular heart rate, feeling light-headed, high blood pressure – severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, low blood cell counts – fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath, kidney problems – swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath or, signs of tumor cell breakdown – tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fast or slow heart rate, tingling in your hands and feet or around your mouth.

Warnings: Serious hemorrhage, including intracranial or gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hematuria, and post-procedural hemorrhage has occurred in people receiving Imbruvica, 0.4% have been fatal. 39% of people reported bleeding of any grade, including purpura and petechiae. Coadministration with antiplatelet or anticoagulants may increase the risk. Your doctor will monitor for signs and symptoms of bleeding and discontinue if serious bleeding occurs. They may consider withholding Imbruivca for 3 to 7 days pre and post surgery depending on the risk of bleeding

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Ibrutinib can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using Imbruvica. If you are a woman, you may need a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Use birth control while using Imbruvica and for at least 1 month after your last dose. If you are a man, use birth control if your sex partner can get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 1 month after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs. Do not breastfeed while using Imbruvica, and for at least 1 week after your last dose.