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Overview: Turalio is commonly used to treat a certain kind of tumor. Common side effects include hair color changes, tiredness, and changes in blood test results. Call your health care provider right away if you get a fever, symptoms of an infection, swelling in your eye area, or shortness of breath. Turalio is a capsule that you will swallow.

Uses

What is Turalio used for?

Turalio (pexidartinib) is a medicine commonly used to treat certain types of tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT).

Your Guide to Turalio for Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor

Turalio may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Turalio work (mechanism of action)?

Turalio is a type of medicine known as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). It works by targeting specific proteins on cancer cells. By blocking the action of these proteins, Turalio can cause cancer cells to die and prevent them from growing or spreading.

How is Turalio supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Turalio

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 125 mg oral capsules

How should I store Turalio?

Turalio should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep Turalio in the original bottle. The bottle will also have a desiccant packet to help protect the medicine from moisture. Do not remove the packet. You should throw away any medicine that is not used three months after opening the bottle.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Turalio?

The most common side effects of Turalio are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Changes in liver function tests
  • Hair color changes
  • Tiredness
  • Increased levels of cholesterol in your blood
  • Blood disorders, including low red blood cells (anemia) and low neutrophil levels (neutropenia)
  • Swelling in and around your eyes
  • Skin problems, including rash, itching, hives, redness or discoloration, and acne
  • Changes in the way things taste
  • Low levels of phosphate in your blood

There may be other side effects of Turalio that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Turalio?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Turalio are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Turalio may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Turalio and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Turalio. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Turalio?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Turalio.

  • Pexidartinib
  • Turalio
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Turalio.

What should I know about Turalio before using it?

Do not take Turalio unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Turalio with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Turalio out of the reach of children.

Swallow Turalio whole; do not open, break, or crush the capsules.

If you vomit after taking your Turalio dose, do not take another dose. Skip the dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Turlaio may make it difficult for you to get pregnant or get your partner pregnant. If you have concerns, talk to your health care provider.

Turalio can make your skin more sensitive to light from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. This is called photosensitivity. Exposure to this light can cause severe sunburns, blisters, and swelling. If you need to be in sunlight, wear sunscreen, a hat, and clothing that covers your skin.

Turalio is only available through a special program, from certain pharmacies, and to certain people. It is important that you keep all of your appointments, including labs or other tests, while taking Turalio. If you have any questions about this program, you can go to www.turaliorems.com or call 833-887-2546.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Turalio?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Turalio is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver or bile duct problems
  • Kidney problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Turalio may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Turalio, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Turalio may cause harm to a fetus. Your health care provider will give you a test to make sure you are not pregnant before you start taking Turalio. If you can get pregnant, you should use nonhormonal birth control (condoms) while taking Turalio and for one month after your last dose. If you are able to get a partner pregnant, you should use condoms while taking Turalio and for one week after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Turalio passes into breast milk. You should not breastfeed while taking Turalio and for one week after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Turalio?

For more information about Turalio, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.turalio.com or call them at 877-437-7763.

Interactions

Does Turalio interact with foods or drinks?

Take Turalio with a low-fat meal (about 11-14 grams of fat). Taking it with a high-fat meal increases the risk of side effects.

Grapefruit interacts with Turalio. It is important to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Turalio. This is because grapefruit can interfere with your body’s ability to break down Turalio, which can lead to high levels of the medicine and an increased risk of side effects. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Turalio, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer.

Does Turalio interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Turalio.

  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression
  • A birth control pill, patch, vaginal ring, implant, injection, or intrauterine device (IUD) that contains hormones
  • A proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (Aciphex)
  • Any medicine that can also cause liver damage
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which are medicines used for fungal infections
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Midazolam, a medicine used to relieve anxiety before surgery

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Turalio and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Turalio. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Turalio?

If you or someone else has used too much Turalio, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Turalio?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

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