Fostamatinib (Tavalisse) (The James)

Fostamatinib (Tavalisse) (The James)

 

Taking Your Treatment Home

What you need to know about your Low Platelet Medicine

 

(fos-ta-ma-ti-nib)

Here is important information on how to use, handle, and store your medicine, what side effects to look for and how to manage them.

 

What it looks like:

  • 100 mg tablet (round, orange)
  • 150 mg tablet (oblong, orange)

 

How to handle and store:

  • There are special safe handling instructions for this medicine. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse about the precautions you need to follow when you take this medicine.
  • Keep this medicine tightly closed in its original bottle, not a medicine or pill box.
  • Store in a dry place such as a cabinet away from light, heat and moisture.
  • Do not store in your bathroom or refrigerator.
  • Keep this medicine away from children and do not share it with anyone.

 

How to take:

  • Take this medicine 2 times each day, 1 time in the morning and 1 time in the evening. If your doctor tells you to take this medicine only 1 time each day, take it in the morning.
  • Take this medicine at the same time each day.
  • Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water.
  • This medicine may be taken with or without food. It may help to take this medicine with food if it upsets your stomach.
  • Do not take more tablets than ordered by your doctor.
  • Do not crush, break, or chew the tablets.
  • If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double up on doses.

 

Disposal:

  • Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how to get rid of prescription medicines safely.

 

Precautions:

  • Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, liver problems or are breastfeeding.
  • Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products (ex: Kava or Valerian).
  • Do not get pregnant while on this medicine. Women who are pregnant should not handle this medicine. Talk with your doctor about what birth control to use.
  • Do not take St. John’s Wort.

 

Possible Side Effects

High Blood Pressure

What to do:

  • Keep track of your blood pressure when you start this medicine and if your dose changes. Call your doctor if your blood pressure is higher than normal.
  • Call your doctor if you have symptoms of high blood pressure, such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, chest pain or shortness of breath.
  • Your doctor may change or add new medicines to help control your blood pressure.

 

Low White Blood Cells/Preventing Infection

What this means: You may be at risk for getting an infection.

What to do:

  • Call your doctor if you have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher.
  • Wash or clean your hands often.
  • Wear a mask and stay away from people who are sick or do not feel well.
  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist about vaccines you may need.

 

Nausea and Vomiting

What to do:

  • Eat small meals or snacks often during the day. Stay away from spicy or high-fat foods.
  • Drink plenty of water during the day.
  • Call your doctor if you are unable to keep liquids down for more than 24 hours if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
  • Take your anti-nausea medicine as ordered by your doctor.

 

Diarrhea

What to do:

  • Call your doctor if you have diarrhea more than 4 times a day for more than 1 or 2 day or if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
  • Drink extra fluids during the day.

 

Liver problems

What this means: Your doctor will order a blood draw to check your liver function while you take this medicine.

What to do:

Call your doctor right away, if you have the following symptoms:

  • Your urine turns dark.
  • Your stools become light in color.
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow.
  • You have pain on the right side of your stomach.

 

Fatigue

What this means: Fatigue or extreme weakness can happen due to low blood counts, stress, pain and changes in your sleep or diet.

What to do:

  • Eat small meals often during the day.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Be active, but plan times for rest.

 

Other side effects:

  • Other side effects may include dizziness, skin rash, stomach pain and respiratory infection. Call your doctor if you have these side effects.

 

This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Tell your doctor if you have these or any other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine. Your James health care team can give you other tips for how to manage your side effects.

 

 

© 1/18/2022. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care.