Cost, implications, applications, administration methods, and additional details regarding Voranigo medication
Voranigo, a potent medication, is a brand-name oral tablet used to treat certain brain tumors. The active ingredient in this badass drug is vorasidenib.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its seal of approval to Voranigo, allowing it to do battle against grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas in adults and children aged 12 years and older. It targets these brain tumors in select situations. For more deets, check out the "Voranigo Uses" section.
The Nitty-Gritty
- Drug Class: Voranigo belongs to the family of isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 and isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 inhibitors, just one of those cool targeted cancer therapies.
- Generic Available? Nope, not yet.
- Prescription Required? Absolutely, you need a doc's order for this bad boy.
- Controlled Substance? Nah, it's not one of those.
No Generic Voranigo Yet
Voranigo is only available as a brand-name medicine. No generic version is currently on offer.
What's a generic, you ask? It's an exact replica of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than the brand-name drugs.
Cost and Coupons
The cost of Voranigo varies, depending on your insurance, location, and pharmacy. It's like the wild, wild West out there with prices.
If you need a financial boost to cover this treatment, help is available. A program called ServierONE is at your service for Voranigo. Give them a call at 800-813-5905 or check out their website for more information and to see if you're eligible for support such as a copay card.
Side Effects
Voranigo can bring about mild or severe side effects. Here's a quick rundown:
Mild Side Effects
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Reduced appetite
- Muscle or joint pain
- COVID-19
- Decreased white blood cell count
- Increased liver enzymes
Most of these side effects will fade away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or stick around, chat with your doc or pharmacist.
Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects from Voranigo are rare, but they can happen. If you experience any of the following, call your doc right away:
- Liver problems: Look out for symptoms such as pain in the upper right side of your abdomen, loss of appetite, excessive tiredness or weakness, dark urine, jaundice.
- Seizures: Symptoms include staring into space, rapid blinking, sudden stiffening of your arms and body, jerking body movements, loss of consciousness.
ALLERGIC REACTION
Allergic reactions to Voranigo are rare, but they could happen. If you're experiencing signs of an allergic reaction, call your doc or pharmacist right away. For a mild allergic reaction, your doc might have some tips on how to manage your symptoms. For a severe allergic reaction, dial 911 or your local emergency phone number pronto. If you've had a serious allergic reaction to Voranigo, your doc may suggest a different medication.
Uses
Voranigo for Certain Brain Tumors
Voranigo is FDA-approved to take on certain brain tumors in adults and kids aged 12 years and older.
Specifically, Voranigo is approved for grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas - brain tumors that belong to a group called gliomas. Astrocytomas originate from brain cells called astrocytes, while oligodendrogliomas come from brain cells called oligodendrocytes.These cells have different roles in your brain.
Brain tumors are graded from 1 to 4, depending on how quickly they are likely to grow and spread. Grade 2 brain tumors are slow-growing tumors, but they can invade nearby brain tissue.
less than 40 kg (about 88 pounds [lb])
Voranigo is approved for grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas that have a specific genetic mutation (an unusual change in a gene). Voranigo is approved for tumors that have an isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) or isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2) mutation. Prior to prescribing Voranigo, your doc will likely perform a biopsy to check whether cells from the tumor have this mutation.
Common symptoms of grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas include:
- Headaches, especially morning headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Problems with vision, hearing, or speech
- Balance problems
- Weakness or numbness on one side of your body
- Changes in personality or behavior
- Seizures
Voranigo is a targeted cancer therapy that works to stop the brain tumor from growing and getting worse. It's prescribed after you've had a biopsy or surgery to remove all or part of the tumor.
Voranigo and Children
20 mg once per day
Voranigo is FDA-approved for use in kids aged 12 years and older to treat grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas with an IDH1 or IDH2 mutation.
Voranigo hasn't been studied in kids younger than 12 years old. It's not known if the drug is safe or effective in this age group.
Dosage
The dosage your doc prescribes will depend on factors such as your age, weight, and whether you experience certain side effects with Voranigo.
Drug Forms and Strengths
Voranigo comes as an oral tablet in two strengths: 10 mg and 40 mg.
Dosage for Certain Brain Tumors
Voranigo is used to treat certain brain tumors called astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas.
The recommended dosage for adults is 40 mg once per day.
Children's Dosage
40 kg or more
Voranigo is used to treat astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas in kids aged 12 years and older. The dosage for kids depends on their weight:
- Less than 40 kg - 20 mg once per day
- 40 kg or more - 40 mg once per day
Taking Voranigo
- When to take: Take Voranigo once per day. Aim to take it at the same time each day to maintain a steady level of the drug in your body.
- If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose and it's been less than 6 hours, take the missed dose as soon as possible. Then take your next dose at your usual time. If it's been more than 6 hours, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your usual time. Never take two doses at once or extra doses to make up for missed doses.
- Taking Voranigo with food: You can take Voranigo with or without food.
- Crushing, splitting, or chewing Voranigo: Swallow Voranigo tablets whole with a glass of water. Never crush, split, or chew the tablets. If you have trouble swallowing the tablets, chat with your doc or pharmacist.
- Length of use: Voranigo is intended for regular usage. If you and your doc determine that Voranigo is safe and effective for you, you'll likely take it long-term.
- Length of time to work: Voranigo starts working as soon as you start taking it, but you may not notice it working. The medication helps slow the growth of the brain tumor and prevents it from getting worse.
Overdose
40 mg once per day
Never take more Voranigo than your doc recommends. Taking too much may lead to unwanted side effects or an overdose.
What to do in case you take too much Voranigo
If you think you've taken too much Voranigo, call your doc. You can also call America's Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Interactions
Voranigo can interact with various other medications.
Before taking Voranigo, let your doc and pharmacist know about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take, as well as any vitamins, herbs, and supplements. Sharing this info can help you avoid potential interactions.
Interactions with other medications, foods, and supplements
Here's a list of medications, supplements, and foods that can interact with Voranigo. This list doesn't cover all drugs that may interact with Voranigo. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, chat with your doc or pharmacist.
- Medications that can interact with Voranigo:
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
- Cyclosporine (Neoral, others)
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
- Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimatane)
- Hormonal forms of birth control, such as the combined pill, minipill, or patch
Alcohol interaction
It may not be safe to consume alcohol while taking Voranigo. Alcohol and Voranigo can cause similar side effects, such as headache, nausea, diarrhea, and liver problems. If you have questions about the safety of drinking alcohol while taking Voranigo, chat with your doc or pharmacist.
Alternatives
Other brain tumor treatments are available that can deal with your situation. Some may be more suitable for you than others. If you're interested in finding an alternative to Voranigo, chat with your doc. They can tell you about other treatments that may work well for you.
The following treatments are alternatives to Voranigo:
- Chemotherapy with drugs such as:
- PCV combination regimen (procarbazine, lomustine [CCNU], and vincristine)
- Temozolomide
- Radiation therapy
Things to Consider
If you can get pregnant, here's some info about pregnancy, fertility, birth control, and breastfeeding.
Voranigo and Pregnancy
Voranigo can cause fetal harm and should typically not be taken during pregnancy. If you're pregnant, talk with your doc about your treatment options.
If you're planning to get pregnant or are able to get pregnant, chat with your doc before taking this medication. They will likely suggest birth control options during Voranigo treatment.
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro)• cyclosporine (Neoral, others)• fluvoxamine (Luvox)• phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimatane)• hormonal forms of birth control, such as the combined pill, minipill, or patch
Voranigo and Fertility
Voranigo can reduce fertility in both males and females who take the medication. If you want to have children in the future, chat with your doc about your options before starting Voranigo treatment.
Voranigo and Birth Control
Voranigo is not safe to take during pregnancy. If you're sexually active and you or your partner can get pregnant, chat with your doc about your birth control options during Voranigo treatment.
For females taking Voranigo:
If you can get pregnant, you should use a nonhormonal form of birth control, such as condoms, while taking Voranigo and for 3 months after your last dose. Voranigo can make some forms of hormonal birth control, such as the pill, less effective at preventing pregnancy.
For males taking Voranigo:
If you have a sexual partner who can get pregnant, you should use an effective form of birth control while taking Voranigo and for 3 months after your last dose.
Voranigo and Breastfeeding
Voranigo should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you're currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, chat with your doc before taking this medication. Your doc may suggest a different treatment for your condition or recommend other ways to feed a child who is breastfed.
- With explicit approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Voranigo is available to tackle certain brain tumors in adults and children aged 12 years and older.
- Associated with the isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 and isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 inhibitors family, Voranigo is a targeted cancer therapy for specific brain tumors, owing to its active ingredient, vorasidenib.
- Voranigo is only obtainable as a brand-name medicine, with no generic version currently in circulation.
- Financial assistance programs like ServierONE offer copay cards and support for patients undergoing Voranigo treatment.
- Side effects of Voranigo typically include fatigue, headache, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, reduced appetite, muscle or joint pain, and COVID-19, but they can be severe or persist for an extended period.
- Beyond brain tumors, other brain disorders, mental health conditions, and various medical conditions may require different therapies and treatments.
- The science behind cancer treatment, oncology, and health and wellness is rapidly evolving, as researchers continue to uncover innovative approaches to combat cancer and improve patient outcomes.
- While the dangers of misusing and overdosing drugs are common, they are less prevalent for Voranigo due to it being a prescription medication; yet, never exceed the recommended dosage.