Information about Fostamatinib

Generic Name : Fostamatinib
Up-to-date prescription details regarding Fostamatinib are provided here.

Pronunciation : FOS-tuh-MA-tih-nib

Learn the correct pronunciation of the Fostamatinib, understand it's uses, recommended dosages, its indications, how to take, when to take, when not to take, side effects, special precautions, warnings and its and its storage instructions.

You will also find a list of the medication's International and Indian brand or trade names, as well as its pricing information. For verification of the information presented on this page or for additional clarifications, it's advisable to consult your doctor.

Therapeutic Classification : Kinase Inhibitors

Trade Names/Brand Names of Fostamatinib

India :

Tavalisse

Overview of Fostamatinib

Fostamatinib was approved by FDA on April 2018 as oral tablets for use in adults with immune thrombocytopenia who showed insufficient response to earlier treatment.

Why is Fostamatinib Prescribed? (Indications)

Fostamatinib is a spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor prescribed to treat adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have showed a loss of response or failure to the previous treatment schedule.

Fostamatinib works by inhibiting the enzyme spleen tyrosine kinase associated with inflammatory cells including macrophages believed to be responsible for ITP platelet clearance.

It is developed by Rigel pharmaceuticals as fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate oral tablets.

When should Fostamatinib not be taken? (Contraindications)

Fostamatinib should not be used in patients-

• Allergy to fostamatinib
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• History of high blood pressure
• Liver disorder
• Children below 18 years of age

What is the dosage of Fostamatinib?

• The recommended initial adult dose of fostamatinib is 100 mg two times daily.
• The dose can be further increased to 150 mg twice daily if the platelet count does not improve to at least 50 × 109 /L after a month of using 100 mg.
• The lowest dose of fostamatinib can be used to achieve and maintain adequate platelet count (50 × 109 /L) as this platelet count is necessary to avoid the risk of bleeding.

How should Fostamatinib be taken?

• Fostamatinib is available in tablet form which should be taken by mouth either with or without food.
• If a dose is missed, take the next dose at the next scheduled time. Never take double doses to match the missed dose.
• Dose modification should be considered in patients who experience adverse reactions, and if dose reduction of below 100 mg is required, the treatment with fostamatinib should be discontinued.

What are the warnings and precautions for Fostamatinib?

• Patients should be monitored for their increase in blood pressure every two weeks until the patient becomes stable; this should be followed by monthly check-ups.

• Drugs to treat high blood pressure can be prescribed for patients during fostamatinib therapy to keep the blood pressure under control.

• Liver function tests should be performed during fostamatinib therapy as it may lead to increased level of liver enzymes and liver toxicity.

• Diarrhea occurs during the treatment with fostamatinib which can be managed by providing supportive measures, dietary changes, oral rehydration solution or anti-diarrheal medications.

• Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) should be examined to detect the risk of neutropenia or other related infections and to treat preventively.

• Women of childbearing age should be advised to use effective contraceptive measures to avoid pregnancy and should continue the measure at least for a month after the last dose of fostamatinib.

• Breastfeeding mothers should not breastfeed during fostamatinib treatment and at least for one month after taking the last dose of fostamatinib.

What are the side effects of Fostamatinib?

• Diarrhea or loose stools
• Stomach pain
• Weakness
• High blood pressure
• Liver toxicity
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Respiratory tract infection
• Low level of neutrophils
• Chest pain
• Rashes

What are the other precautions for Fostamatinib?

If the platelet count does not improve after 12 weeks, treatment with fostamatinib should be discontinued and further clinical evaluation done.

What are the Drug Interactions of Fostamatinib?

Fostamatinib can interact with these drugs and hence should be avoided taken at the same time.

Fostamatinib increases the drug concentration resulting in toxicity of the following drugs-
• Digoxin
• Simvastatin
• Rosuvastatin

The effectiveness of fostamatinib is increased when taken with the following drugs-
• Ketoconazole
• Verapamil

Rifampicin decreases the effects of fostamatinib and results in loss of response or failure of fostamatinib therapy.

What are the storage conditions for Fostamatinib?

• Store fostamatinib tablets in a well-closed container at room temperature between 20°C and 25°C.
• Do not remove the desiccant provided in the container which protects the drug from moisture.
• Keep fostamatinib tablets out of reach of children.