Pyrukynd 20mgx5mg Taper Pack
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. Take your medication with or without food, and swallow the tablets whole without chewing, breaking, crushing, or dissolving them. Continue taking your medication as directed by your doctor or healthcare provider, even if you start feeling well.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Store your medication at room temperature in a dry place, avoiding bathrooms. Keep the blister wallets in their original carton until you are ready to use them. Always keep your medications in a safe location, out of the reach of children and pets.
Missing a Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you miss a dose by more than 4 hours, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or take extra doses to make up for the missed one.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Take Pyrukynd exactly as prescribed by your doctor, usually twice a day.
- You can take it with or without food.
- Do not stop taking Pyrukynd without talking to your doctor.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort, as they can interact with Pyrukynd.
- Report any new or worsening symptoms, especially signs of liver problems (e.g., yellow skin/eyes, dark urine, severe stomach pain) or worsening anemia (e.g., extreme tiredness, shortness of breath).
Available Forms & Alternatives
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
Side Effects
Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately or seek medical attention:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of high blood pressure, including:
+ Severe headache or dizziness
+ Passing out
+ Changes in eyesight
Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Breast pain
Burning, numbness, or tingling sensations that are not normal
Signs of liver problems, such as:
+ Dark urine
+ Tiredness
+ Decreased appetite
+ Upset stomach or stomach pain
+ Light-colored stools
+ Vomiting
+ Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
Note: People taking a higher dose of this medication for a different health condition may have a higher risk of liver problems during the first 6 months of treatment.
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. Many people may not experience any side effects or may only have mild ones. If you notice any of the following side effects or any other symptoms that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor:
Back pain
Joint pain
Stomach pain or diarrhea
Flushing
Mouth or throat pain or irritation
Constipation
Dry mouth
Dry lips
This is not an exhaustive list of all possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine
- Unexplained nausea or vomiting
- Severe stomach pain
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Muscle pain or cramps
- Back pain
- Rash or itching
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced.
If you have liver disease, as this may affect the safety and efficacy of the medication.
* Any medications you are currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, natural products, and vitamins. This is crucial because certain medications, such as those used to treat HIV, infections, seizures, and other conditions, may interact with this drug and should not be taken concurrently.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all potential drug interactions or health problems that may be relevant to your treatment with this medication. Therefore, it is vital to discuss all of your medications and health issues with your doctor and pharmacist to ensure safe and effective treatment.
To guarantee your safety, always check with your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing the dose of any medication. This includes prescription and OTC drugs, natural products, and vitamins, as adjusting your treatment regimen without medical supervision can be hazardous.
Precautions & Cautions
Do not abruptly discontinue this medication, as this may increase your risk of hemolysis (red blood cell breakdown). If you need to stop taking this drug, your doctor will instruct you on how to gradually taper off the medication. Immediately report any symptoms such as jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), dark urine, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, or shortness of breath to your doctor.
Avoid consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking this medication. Additionally, be aware that this drug may cause elevated triglyceride levels. If you have a history of high triglyceride levels, inform your doctor.
In men, this medication may lead to decreased levels of the reproductive hormones estrone and estradiol. If you have concerns or questions, discuss them with your doctor.
When taking this medication, birth control pills and other hormone-based contraceptives may be less effective in preventing pregnancy. To minimize the risk of unintended pregnancy, use an additional form of birth control, such as a condom.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, consult your doctor to discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Symptoms of overdose are not well established, but may include exaggerated adverse effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances, muscle pain, or liver enzyme elevations.
What to Do:
In case of suspected overdose, contact a poison control center (1-800-222-1222) or seek emergency medical attention immediately. Management should be supportive, including monitoring of vital signs and observation for adverse reactions.
Drug Interactions
Contraindicated Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John's wort) - significantly reduce mitapivat exposure.
Major Interactions
- Moderate CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., efavirenz, bosentan, etravirine) - may reduce mitapivat exposure, consider dose adjustment or alternative.
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir) - significantly increase mitapivat exposure, consider dose reduction of mitapivat.
- P-gp substrates (e.g., digoxin, dabigatran) - mitapivat is a P-gp inducer, may reduce exposure of P-gp substrates.
- CYP3A4 substrates (e.g., midazolam, simvastatin, oral contraceptives) - mitapivat is a moderate CYP3A4 inducer, may reduce exposure of CYP3A4 substrates.
Moderate Interactions
- Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., diltiazem, erythromycin, grapefruit juice) - may increase mitapivat exposure, monitor for adverse effects.
- CYP2B6 substrates (e.g., bupropion) - mitapivat is a weak CYP2B6 inducer, may reduce exposure of CYP2B6 substrates.
- CYP2C8 substrates (e.g., repaglinide) - mitapivat is a weak CYP2C8 inducer, may reduce exposure of CYP2C8 substrates.
- CYP2C9 substrates (e.g., warfarin) - mitapivat is a weak CYP2C9 inducer, may reduce exposure of CYP2C9 substrates, monitor INR.
Minor Interactions
- Other weak CYP inducers/inhibitors.
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To establish baseline hemoglobin, red blood cell parameters, and assess baseline hemolytic activity.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: To assess baseline hepatic function and monitor for potential drug-induced liver injury.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: To confirm diagnosis and severity of PK deficiency.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Every 2 weeks for the first 8 weeks, then monthly or as clinically indicated.
Target: Individualized, aiming for increased hemoglobin and reduced transfusion burden.
Action Threshold: Significant drop in hemoglobin, increase in reticulocytes without clinical improvement, or persistent transfusion dependence may indicate inadequate response or worsening disease.
Frequency: Monthly for the first 3 months, then periodically as clinically indicated.
Target: Within normal limits or stable from baseline.
Action Threshold: Elevations in AST/ALT >3x ULN, or total bilirubin >2x ULN, especially if associated with symptoms, require investigation and potential dose modification or discontinuation.
Frequency: Ongoing, at each visit.
Target: Improvement or stabilization.
Action Threshold: Worsening symptoms may indicate inadequate response or disease progression.
Symptom Monitoring
- Fatigue
- Pallor
- Jaundice
- Dark urine
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Muscle pain
- Back pain
- Rash
- Signs of liver injury (e.g., unexplained nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing of skin/eyes)
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Based on animal studies, mitapivat may cause fetal harm. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use during pregnancy should only be considered if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
It is not known if mitapivat is excreted in human milk. Mitapivat was detected in the milk of lactating rats. Due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Pyrukynd and for at least 3 days after the last dose.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of Pyrukynd in pediatric patients have not been established. Pyrukynd is not indicated for use in pediatric patients.
Geriatric Use
No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly patients (65 years and older) and younger patients. No specific dose adjustment is required based on age alone.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Pyrukynd is the first and only FDA-approved oral therapy for hemolytic anemia in adults with pyruvate kinase deficiency.
- Patients should be educated on the importance of adherence to the twice-daily dosing regimen.
- Close monitoring of hemoglobin levels and liver function is crucial, especially during the initial weeks of therapy and after dose adjustments.
- Counsel patients on potential drug interactions, particularly with strong CYP3A4 inducers/inhibitors and P-gp substrates.
- The 'taper pack' containing 20mg and 5mg tablets provides flexibility for precise dose adjustments, which may be useful for initial titration or dose reduction if needed.
Alternative Therapies
- Red blood cell transfusions (supportive care)
- Splenectomy (surgical intervention, often considered for severe cases)
- Folic acid supplementation (to support erythropoiesis)
- Iron chelation therapy (for transfusion-dependent patients to manage iron overload)
- Other investigational therapies for PK deficiency (in clinical trials)