Fostamatinib (Tavalisse) is an oral medication primarily used to treat adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have responded poorly to previous therapies. It has not yet been marketed in China, and patients need to purchase it through regular channels.
Side Effects of Fostamatinib and Their Management Measures
Fostamatinib has drug toxicity, and patients may experience various side effects during medication, including respiratory infections, dizziness, etc.
Hypertension
Patients should monitor their blood pressure regularly, especially during dosage adjustments. If blood pressure remains elevated, it may be necessary to suspend the use of fostamatinib, reduce the dosage, or add antihypertensive drugs under the guidance of a doctor to effectively control blood pressure.
Abnormal liver function
It is characterized by elevated levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). Patients should undergo liver function tests once a month. If a significant increase in transaminase levels is detected (exceeding 3 times the upper limit of the normal range), the medication should be stopped or the dosage reduced immediately as prescribed by the doctor, and liver-protective drugs may be considered.
Diarrhea
Mild diarrhea can be controlled by adjusting the diet, increasing water intake, and using anti-diarrheal drugs such as montmorillonite powder. If diarrhea continues to worsen (reaching grade 3 or higher), the medication should be stopped or the dosage reduced immediately, and further treatment should be carried out under the doctor's guidance.
Neutropenia
Neutropenia increases the risk of infection. Patients should regularly monitor blood cell counts, especially neutrophil counts. If neutropenia occurs, the medication should be stopped immediately, the dosage reduced, or other necessary anti-infection treatment measures taken.
Other side effects include respiratory infections, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, chest pain, and rash. These symptoms are mostly mild to moderate and can be relieved through observation and symptomatic treatment. If the symptoms continue to worsen or affect the patient's quality of life, they should communicate with the doctor in a timely manner.
How to Take Fostamatinib (Tavalisse)
Fostamatinib is a prescription medication. The following are the administration recommendations; the specific way of taking it should be consulted with a professional doctor.
Recommended dosage
The recommended starting dose of fostamatinib is 100 mg orally twice daily. If the platelet count does not rise to a safe level (at least 50×10^9/L) after one month, the dosage can be increased to 150 mg twice daily.
Administration method
Patients can take fostamatinib with food or on an empty stomach. If a dose is missed, there is no need to make up for it; just continue to take the next dose as scheduled.
Dosage adjustment
There are individual differences among patients, and the progression of the disease also varies. During the period of taking fostamatinib, patients need to regularly monitor platelet counts and other blood cell counts to understand the treatment progress of their own disease and monitor possible side effects. In addition, indicators such as liver function and blood pressure need to be monitored.
Doctors will adjust the dosage according to the patient's personal recovery and drug tolerance. If adverse reactions occur, patients should communicate with the doctor in a timely manner, which may require suspending the medication, reducing the dosage, or taking other treatment measures. Patients should not adjust the dosage or stop taking the medication on their own to avoid affecting their health.
