Vandetanib (By mouth)
van-DET-a-nib
Treats medullary thyroid cancer.
Drug classes
Antineoplastic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Vandetanib is used to treat medullary thyroid cancer that cannot be treated with surgery or that has already spread to different parts of the body.
This medicine is available only under a registered distribution program called Vandetanib REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) Program. You will be asked to sign a form before you take this medicine. This form tells you about the benefits and risks of using this medicine. Make sure you understand what is on the form before you sign it.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, vandetanib is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Non-small cell lung cancer, locally advanced or metastatic (cancer that has already spread), after failure of first- or second-line cancer treatment (chemotherapy).
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
If you have trouble swallowing the tablets:
Dissolve the tablet in a glass containing 2 ounces of noncarbonated water. Do not use any other liquid. Stir the mixture for 10 minutes and swallow it right away. Rinse the glass with an additional 4 ounces of noncarbonated water and swallow the mixture to make sure you get the full dose of this medicine. This mixture may also be given through a nasogastric or gastrostomy tube.Do not handle tablets that are crushed or broken. Wash your hands or skin with soap and water immediately if you touch crushed or broken tablets.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
Missed dose: If you miss a dose and your next dose is due in less than 12 hours, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you normally do. If your next dose is more than 12 hours away, then take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Take your next dose when your normally do.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Tell your doctor if you are using St John’s wort, chloroquine, clarithromycin, digoxin, dolasetron, granisetron, haloperidol, metformin, methadone, moxifloxacin, pimozide, rifampicin, medicine to treat seizures, or heart rhythm medicine (such as amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, procainamide, sotalol).
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to vandetanib, you are pregnant, or you have congenital long QT syndrome.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Use effective birth control for at least 4 months after you stop treatment.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding problems, blood vessel disease, lung disease or breathing problems, underactive thyroid, heart failure, heart rhythm problems (such as QT prolongation or a history of Torsade de pointes), high blood pressure, a history of stroke, or a mineral imbalance (low levels of potassium, magnesium, or calcium). Tell your doctor if you have a recent history of coughing up blood.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Changes in your heart rhythm, such as QT prolongation Serious skin reactions Lung problems Stroke Bleeding problems Heart failure Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS)This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds. Protect your skin from the sun while you are using this medicine and for 4 months after the last dose.
This medicine may make you drowsy, tired, or cause blurred vision. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Headache, seizures, confusion
Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking
Red or dark brown urine, bloody or black, tarry stools, severe diarrhea, unexplained nosebleeds
Shortness of breath, cough, fever
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Acne, dry skin, severe sunburn
Change or loss of taste, dry mouth
Cough, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat
Diarrhea
Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or upset
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Caprelsa
There may be other brand names for this medicine.