Deuruxolitinib
Brand Name(s): Leqselvi®
IMPORTANT WARNING:
Taking deuruxolitinib may decrease your ability to fight infection and increase the risk that you will get a serious infection, including severe fungal, bacterial, or viral infections that spread through the body. These infections may need to be treated in a hospital and may cause death. Tell your doctor if you often get any type of infection or if you think you may have any type of infection now. This includes minor infections (such as open cuts or sores), infections that come and go (such as cold sores), and chronic infections that do not go away. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), hepatitis B virus infection (HBV; an ongoing liver infection), hepatitis C virus infection (HCV: an ongoing liver infection), herpes zoster (shingles; a rash that can occur in people who have had chickenpox in the past), a lung disease, or any other condition that affects your immune system. You should also tell your doctor if you live or have ever lived in areas such as the Ohio or Mississippi river valleys where severe fungal infections are more common. Tell your doctor if you are taking medications that decrease the activity of the immune system.
Your doctor will monitor you for signs of infection during and after your treatment. If you have any of the following symptoms before you begin your treatment or if you experience any of the following symptoms during or shortly after your treatment, call your doctor immediately: fever; sweating; chills; muscle aches; cough; shortness of breath; weight loss; warm, red, or painful skin; sores on the skin; frequent, painful, or burning feeling during urination; diarrhea, or excessive tiredness.
You may already be infected with tuberculosis (TB; a serious lung infection) but not have any symptoms of the disease. In this case, taking deuruxolitinib may make your infection more serious and cause you to develop symptoms. Your doctor will perform a skin test to see if you have an inactive TB infection before and during your treatment with deuruxolitinib. If necessary, your doctor will give you medication to treat this infection before you start taking deuruxolitinib. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had TB, if you have lived in or visited a country where TB is common, or if you have been around someone who has TB. If you have any of the following symptoms of TB, or if you develop any of these symptoms during your treatment, call your doctor immediately: cough, coughing up bloody mucus, weight loss, loss of muscle tone, or fever.
Taking deuruxolitinib may increase the risk that you will develop a lymphoma (cancer that begins in the cells that fight infection) or other types of cancers, including lung cancer and skin cancer. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any type of cancer. Also tell your doctor if you smoke or if you have ever smoked. Your doctor may tell you to have your skin examined during your treatment with deuruxolitinib.
Taking deuruxolitinib may cause serious or life-threatening heart problems, such as a heart attack or stroke, or a serious or life-threatening blood clot in the lungs or legs. Tell your doctor if you smoke or if you have ever smoked. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a heart attack or other heart problems; a stroke; a blood clot in your legs, arms, or lungs, brain, or in the arteries; high cholesterol; high blood pressure; or diabetes. If you experience any of the following side effects during your treatment, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment: crushing chest pain or chest heaviness; pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach; breaking out in cold sweat; feeling light-headed; numbness or weakness in face, arm, or legs; slow or difficult speech; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; cough; or pain, warmth, redness, swelling, or leg tenderness.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain tests to check your body's response to deuruxolitinib.
Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with deuruxolitinib and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide.
Talk to your doctor about the risk(s) of taking deuruxolitinib.
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WHY is this medicine prescribed?
Deuruxolitinib is used for treatment of alopecia areata (a disease that causes sudden hair loss). Deuruxolitinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by decreasing the activity of the immune system. How it work to help stop hair loss in individuals with alopecia areata is not well understood.
HOW should this medicine be used?
Deuruxolitinib comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food twice a day. Take deuruxolitinib at around the same times 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 deuruxolitinib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may need to temporarily or permanently stop treatment if you experience certain severe side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment and keep all appointments with the lab.
Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?
Before taking deuruxolitinib,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to deuruxolitinib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in deuruxolitinib tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- some medications should not be taken with deuruxolitinib. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with deuruxolitinib. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting deuruxolitinib with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking deuruxolitinib, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
- tell your doctor if you have stomach pain that has not been diagnosed or if you have or have ever had ulcers in your stomach or intestines, diverticulitis (inflammation of small pouches that can form in the lining of the bowels), a low number of white blood cells, anemia (a lower than normal number of red blood cells), liver disease, or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while you are taking deuruxolitinib. If you become pregnant while taking deuruxolitinib, call your doctor. Deuruxolitinib may harm the fetus.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed while taking deuruxolitinib and for 1 day after your final dose.
- tell your doctor if you have recently received or are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. Do not have any vaccinations during your treatment without talking to your doctor.
What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?
Skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?
Deuruxolitinib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- acne
- weight gain
- headache
- runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, or congestion
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
- stomach pain, especially if it comes along with fever, chills, nausea or vomiting
- shortness of breath, tiredness, weakness, or pale skin
Deuruxolitinib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.
AHFS® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2024. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.
Selected Revisions: September 20, 2024.