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Overview: Vanflyta is used to treat a certain kind of blood cancer. Common side effects include changes in blood tests, diarrhea, mouth sores, and nausea and vomiting. Call your health care provider right away if you get a fever, shortness of breath, changes in your heartbeat, or chest pain. Vanflyta is a tablet that you will swallow. 

Uses

What is Vanflyta used for?

Vanflyta (quizartinib) is commonly used to treat certain kinds of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

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

How does Vanflyta work (mechanism of action)?

Your health care provider can run a test to see if your cancer might respond to Vanflyta. Vanflyta is a type of medicine known as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). It works by targeting specific receptors on cancer cells. By blocking the action of these receptors, Vanflyta can cause cancer cells to die and can prevent cancer cells from growing or spreading.

How is Vanflyta supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Vanflyta

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 17.7 mg oral tablets
  • 26.5 mg oral tablets

How should I store Vanflyta?

Vanflyta 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. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Vanflyta?

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

  • Low white blood cells and fever (febrile neutropenia)
  • Changes in electrolyte levels
  • Changes in liver function tests
  • Diarrhea
  • Mouth sores
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Serious infection throughout the body and organs (sepsis)
  • Headache
  • Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
  • Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia)
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fungal infections
  • Nosebleeds
  • Reactivation of herpes infections
  • Heart rhythm changes (see below)
  • Upset stomach
  • Low red blood cell counts (anemia)
  • Eye problems

There may be other side effects of Vanflyta 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. 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 Vanflyta?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Vanflyta may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Vanflyta 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

Heart Rhythm Changes. Vanflyta may cause a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people who are older, have other people in their family who have had these conditions, have low potassium or magnesium levels, or who take medicines that can prolong the QT interval. Tell your health care provider right away if you faint or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast or skipping heartbeat.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Vanflyta?

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

  • Quizartinib
  • Vanflyta
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

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

Electrolyte Problems. If you have low levels of potassium (hypokalemia) or magnesium (hypomagnesemia), you should not take Vanflyta. Talk with your health care provider about any electrolyte problems you have.

Heart Problems. If you have QT prolongation, also known as long QT syndrome, or have had arrhythmias or a condition called torsades de pointes, you should not take Vanflyta. Talk with your health care provider about any heart problems you have. 

What should I know about Vanflyta before using it?

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

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

Keep Vanflyta out of the reach of children.

Do not cut, crush, or chew Vanflyta. 

Vanflyta 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 testing, while taking Vanflyta. If you have any questions about this program, you can go to www.vanflytarems.com or call 855-212-6670.

If you vomit after taking your dose of Vanflyta, skip the dose. Do not take another dose of Vanflyta. Take your next Vanflyta dose at the scheduled time. 

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

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

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 Vanflyta 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.

  • Heart problems, including cardiomyopathy, an abnormal heartbeat, heart failure, and QT prolongation
  • Any family members who have heart problems like QT prolongation
  • Electrolyte problems including low levels of potassium or magnesium
  • Prior herpes infection

Other Medicines and Supplements. Vanflyta may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Vanflyta, 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. Vanflyta may cause harm to a fetus. Your health care provider may give you a test to make sure you are not pregnant before you start taking Vanflyta. If you can get pregnant, you should use birth control while taking Vanflyta and for seven months after your last dose. If you are able to get a partner pregnant, you should use condoms while taking Vanflyta and for four months after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

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

How can I get more information about Vanflyta?

For more information about Vanflyta, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.vanflyta.com or call them at 877-437-7763.

Interactions

Does Vanflyta interact with foods or drinks?

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

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

Does Vanflyta 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 Vanflyta.

  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression
  • Ketoconazole, a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Efavirenz, a medicine used to treat HIV
  • Any medicine that can cause QT prolongation, which is a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem, such as antifungal azoles, atovaquone, azithromycin, doxycycline, granisetron, moxifloxacin, ondansetron, pentamidine, prochlorperazine, and tacrolimus

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Vanflyta. 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 Vanflyta. 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 Vanflyta?

If you or someone else has used too much Vanflyta, 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 Vanflyta?

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.