Midostaurin
About Midostaurin
Midostaurin is a prescription medicine used to treat specific types of blood and bone marrow cancers, such as newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that has a specific abnormal gene called FLT3. It is also prescribed for adults with rare blood disorders called advanced systemic mastocytosis, which includes aggressive systemic mastocytosis and mast cell leukemia. This medicine works by targeting and blocking specific proteins that cause cancer cells to grow and multiply.
You will typically take Midostaurin twice a day, and it is highly important to take it at the same times every day to keep a constant level of the medicine in your body. Always take this medicine with food to help prevent severe stomach upset and nausea. Along with taking this medicine, staying well-hydrated and eating small, frequent meals can help manage treatment-related digestive side effects.
Some common side effects of Midostaurin include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, feeling very tired, and headache. It is vital to watch for serious side effects like severe lung issues, unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection such as a fever, and contact your doctor immediately if these occur.
Before starting Midostaurin, tell your doctor if you have a history of lung or breathing problems, heart conditions, or liver disease. Do not take this if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as this medicine can harm an unborn baby or newborn.
Midostaurin can interact with many other medicines, including certain antibiotics, heart medications, and herbal supplements, which can either increase the risk of side effects or make this treatment less effective. Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking while taking this medication, as they can worsen liver strain and stomach irritation. If you are an older adult, or if you have pre-existing kidney or liver conditions, your doctor will monitor you closely during treatment.
Uses of Midostaurin
Medicinal Benefits
Using Midostaurin as prescribed helps control the growth of abnormal cells and improve treatment outcomes. Here are the key benefits you can expect:
- Slows cancer progression: By targeting the specific root causes of cancer cell growth, Midostaurin helps slow down or halt the spread of abnormal cells in the blood and bone marrow. This can lead to a period of disease stability.
- Enhances chemotherapy success: When used alongside standard chemotherapy for AML, it works in tandem to increase the likelihood of clearing cancer cells from the body, helping patients achieve better treatment outcomes.
- Relieves mast cell symptoms: For people with systemic mastocytosis, Midostaurin helps reduce the severe symptoms caused by mast cell buildup, such as organ damage, severe skin flushing, and digestive issues, leading to improved daily comfort.
Directions for Use
- Recommended to take Midostaurin with food to prevent stomach upset.
- Recommended to take twice daily or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Midostaurin
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Feeling unusually tired or weak
- Headache or muscle pain
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing
- New or worsening breathing problems, cough, or chest discomfort (signs of lung inflammation)
- Fever, chills, sore throat, or other signs of infection
- Unusual bruising, pinpoint red spots on your skin, or bleeding that will not stop
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or a racing heartbeat (signs of heart rhythm changes)
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect your capsules before taking: Check the blister pack and capsules before each dose; do not take any capsule that is broken, leaking, or looks damaged.
- Monitor your body temperature: Keep a reliable thermometer at home and check your temperature if you feel unwell. A fever during cancer treatment is a medical emergency that requires immediate contact with your doctor.
- Use effective birth control: Both men and women taking Midostaurin should use highly effective birth control during treatment and for at least 4 months after the last dose to prevent pregnancy.
- Check your heart health: Keep all appointments for blood tests and heart monitoring (such as ECGs), as this medication can affect your heart rhythm.
- Avoid sun exposure: This medicine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear protective clothing and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen when outdoors.
Drug Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ketoconazole or clarithromycin): May increase the amount of Midostaurin in your body, raising the risk of severe side effects.
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers (such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, or St. John's wort): May lower the levels of Midostaurin in your blood, making the treatment less effective.
- Medicines that prolong the QT interval (such as certain antiarrhythmics or antipsychotics): Taking these together with Midostaurin can increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if alcohol affects Midostaurin. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
unsafeMidostaurin is not recommended during pregnancy as it may harm your unborn baby. Therefore, if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, talk to the doctor for advice.
Breast Feeding
unsafeMidostaurin may harm the baby. Avoid breastfeeding during treatment with Midostaurin and for at least 4 months after stopping the treatment.
Driving
cautionMidostaurin may cause dizziness and vertigo. Be cautious while driving or operating machinery.
Liver
consult your doctorIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before receiving Midostaurin. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before receiving Midostaurin. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
cautionThe safety and effectiveness of Midostaurin in children below 18 years have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Manage nausea with food timing: Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day instead of three large ones. Take Midostaurin with these small meals to protect your stomach.
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or clear broths, to prevent dehydration, especially if you experience vomiting or diarrhoea. Avoid caffeinated or sugary drinks, which can worsen diarrhoea.
- Protect yourself from infections: Because this medicine can lower your white blood cell count, practice strict hand hygiene, avoid close contact with sick individuals, and wash fresh produce thoroughly before eating.
- Avoid certain foods: Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication. Grapefruit can increase the level of Midostaurin in your blood to unsafe levels, raising the risk of serious side effects.
Special Advise
- If you are able to become pregnant, your doctor will perform a pregnancy test within 7 days before you start the treatment.
- Women of reproductive potential and males with partners who are able to become pregnant must use reliable and effective birth control pills during treatment and for four months after receiving the last dose.
- Your doctor will advise regular blood tests during the treatment to monitor blood cell count, electrolytes, heart and lung functioning.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Acute myeloid leukaemia: Acute myeloid leukaemia, also called acute myelogenous leukaemia or acute nonlymphocytic leukaemia, is the cancer of blood and bone marrow with excess immature white blood cells. Symptoms include fever, recurrent infections, fatigue, and easy bruising.
Aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM): It is a clonal mast cell disease characterised by the progressive growth of neoplastic cells in organs, leading to organopathy. Signs and symptoms include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, bloating, skin redness, warmth, headache, low blood pressure, shortness of breath, and light-headedness.
Systemic mastocytosis with associated haematological neoplasm (SM-AHN): It is characterised by the abnormal accumulation of neoplastic mast cells in one or more organs, mainly the bone marrow, associated with another hematologic neoplasm of non-mast cell nature.
Mast cell leukaemia (MCL): It is characterised by abnormal growth and build-up of mast cells (a type of white blood cell produced by the bone marrow). Symptoms include low blood pressure, itchy skin, and rashes.
FAQs
Midostaurin is used to treat Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM), systemic mastocytosis with associated haematological neoplasm (SM-AHN), and mast cell leukaemia (MCL).
Midostaurin works by blocking the action of kinase enzymes in abnormal cells and stops their division and growth. Thereby, it helps prevent the spread of cancer and mast cells.
If you miss a dose of Midostaurin, take your next dose at the scheduled time. Avoid taking an extra dose to make up for the missed dose.
Continue taking Midostaurin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Midostaurin without talking to the doctor.
No, you must swallow Midostaurin capsules whole. Do not open, crush, or chew them, as this can affect how the medicine is absorbed and may irritate your mouth or throat. If you have trouble swallowing pills, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you vomit after taking your dose, do not take an extra capsule to replace it. Simply wait and take your next scheduled dose at your usual time. Talk to your doctor if you experience persistent vomiting.
It is highly recommended to avoid alcohol while taking Midostaurin. Alcohol can worsen stomach irritation, increase nausea, and place extra stress on your liver, which is already processing this medication. Talk to your doctor.
Hair loss is not a direct common side effect of Midostaurin itself, but because it is often prescribed alongside traditional chemotherapy for leukaemia, you may experience hair thinning or loss due to the other treatments. Talk to your doctor.
Grapefruit contains natural compounds that block the enzymes responsible for breaking down Midostaurin in your liver. This can cause the drug to build up to dangerous levels in your bloodstream, increasing your risk of severe side effects. Talk to your doctor.
No, you should not take Midostaurin if you are planning to become pregnant or father a child. This medicine can cause severe harm to a developing baby, so effective birth control must be used during treatment and for several months afterward. Talk to your doctor.
Yes, Midostaurin can lower your white blood cell count, making it harder for your body to fight off infections. You will need regular blood tests to monitor your immune cell levels. Talk to your doctor.
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