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Erdafitinib (Oral route)

Pronunciation:

er-da-FI-ti-nib

Brand Names:

  • Balversa

Dosage Forms:

  • Tablet

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Antineoplastic Agent

Pharmacologic—

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor

Uses of This Medicine:

Erdafitinib is used to treat urothelial carcinoma (bladder cancer) that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery. It is used in patients who have an abnormal “FGFR” gene in their cancer and who have tried at least one other chemotherapy medicine that contains platinum that did not work well. Your doctor will test for the presence of this gene.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of erdafitinib in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Older adults—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of erdafitinib in the elderly.

Breast-feeding—

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Other medicines—

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Alfentanil
  • Aluminum Carbonate, Basic
  • Aluminum Hydroxide
  • Aluminum Phosphate
  • Apalutamide
  • Bosentan
  • Calcium Acetate
  • Calcium Carbonate
  • Calcium Chloride
  • Calcium Citrate
  • Calcium Gluconate
  • Carbamazepine
  • Cholecalciferol
  • Cyclosporine
  • Dihydroergotamine
  • Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate
  • Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate
  • Dofetilide
  • Efavirenz
  • Enzalutamide
  • Ergocalciferol
  • Ergotamine
  • Etravirine
  • Fentanyl
  • Ferric Carboxymaltose
  • Ferric Citrate
  • Ferric Pyrophosphate Citrate
  • Ferrous Fumarate
  • Ferrous Gluconate
  • Ferrous Sulfate
  • Flibanserin
  • Fosphenytoin
  • Iron Dextran
  • Iron Sucrose
  • Lanthanum Carbonate
  • Lorlatinib
  • Lumacaftor
  • Magnesium Carbonate
  • Magnesium Hydroxide
  • Magnesium Oxide
  • Magnesium Trisilicate
  • Mitotane
  • Modafinil
  • Nafcillin
  • Oxycodone
  • Phenobarbital
  • Phenytoin
  • Pimavanserin
  • Pimozide
  • Potassium Phosphate
  • Primidone
  • Quinidine
  • Rifabutin
  • Rifampin
  • Sevelamer Carbonate
  • Sevelamer Hydrochloride
  • Sirolimus
  • Sodium Bicarbonate
  • Sodium Ferric Gluconate Complex
  • Sodium Phosphate
  • Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
  • Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
  • St John's Wort
  • Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide
  • Tacrolimus
  • Temsirolimus

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Eye or vision problems or
  • Hyperphosphatemia (high potassium levels in the blood)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before using 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.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine should come with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Swallow the tablet whole. You may take it with or without food.

You may use artificial tear substitutes or hydrating or lubricating eye gels or ointments, at least every 2 hours during waking hours to prevent or treat dry eyes.

Dosing—

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For blader cancer:
      • Adults—At first, 8 milligrams (mg) (two 4 mg tablets) once a day, then your doctor may increase your dose to 9 mg (three 3 mg tablets) once a day based on your phosphate levels at 14 to 21 days.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you vomit after taking a dose, take the next dose at the regular time.

Storage—

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before starting treatment. It may also cause birth defects if the father is using it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. Female patients should use effective birth control during treatment and for 1 month after the last dose. Male patients who have female partners should use effective birth control during treatment and for 1 month after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Check with your doctor right away if blurred vision, difficulty with reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want your eyes be checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

This medicine may cause hyperphosphatemia (high potassium levels in the blood), which may increase the amount of minerals (eg, calcium) in different tissues in your body. Check with your doctor right away it you have stomach cramps, confusion, seizures, difficulty in breathing, irregular heartbeat, mood or mental changes, muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face, numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet, painful skin rash or lump, or tremor.

If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine. Some women using this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common
Bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
burning, dry, or itching eyes
chest tightness
confusion
difficult or labored breathing
difficult, burning, or painful urination
discharge
discoloration of the fingernails or toenails
excessive tearing
frequent urge to urinate
increased tearing
irregular heartbeat
loosening of the fingernails
lower back or side pain
mood or mental changes
muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
redness or soreness around the fingernails
redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
redness, swelling, or pain of the skin
scaling of the skin on the hands and feet
seizures
stomach cramps
tremor
ulceration of the skin
Less common
Chest pain or discomfort
nausea
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
sweating
vomiting
Rare
Painful skin lesions

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common
Bone pain
constipation
decreased appetite
diarrhea
difficulty in moving
dry mouth
dry skin
fever
hair loss or thinning of hair
joint pain
mouth or throat pain
muscle pain or stiffness
stomach pain
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
weight decreased

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.


Last Updated: 11/16/2023

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
All rights reserved.

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