Pyrukynd 50mgx20mg Taper Pack

Manufacturer AGIOS PHARMACEUTICALS Active Ingredient Mitapivat(MYE ta PIV at) Pronunciation MYE-ta-PIV-at
It is used to treat hemolytic anemia in certain people.
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Drug Class
Pyruvate kinase activator
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Pharmacologic Class
Pyruvate kinase activator
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Pregnancy Category
Not available
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FDA Approved
Feb 2022
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DEA Schedule
Not Controlled

Overview

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What is this medicine?

Pyrukynd is a medication used to treat a rare genetic blood disorder called pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency. In this condition, red blood cells break down too quickly. Pyrukynd works by helping an important enzyme inside your red blood cells, called pyruvate kinase, work better. This helps your red blood cells live longer and reduces the symptoms of the disease, like anemia.
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How to Use This Medicine

Taking Your Medication

To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. Take your medication as directed, with or without food, and swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew, break, crush, or dissolve them. Continue taking your medication as prescribed by your doctor or healthcare provider, even if you start to feel better.

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.
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Lifestyle & Tips

  • Take Pyrukynd exactly as prescribed by your doctor, usually twice a day, 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, as many can interact with Pyrukynd.
  • Attend all scheduled doctor appointments and laboratory tests to monitor your condition and the medication's effects.
  • Report any new or worsening symptoms to your healthcare provider promptly.

Dosing & Administration

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Adult Dosing

Standard Dose: Initial: 5 mg orally twice daily for 2 weeks. Increase to 20 mg orally twice daily for 2 weeks. Maintenance: 50 mg orally twice daily. Max: 100 mg orally twice daily.
Dose Range: 5 - 100 mg

Condition-Specific Dosing:

Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency: Initial: 5 mg orally twice daily for 2 weeks. Increase to 20 mg orally twice daily for 2 weeks. Maintenance: 50 mg orally twice daily. May increase to 100 mg orally twice daily after 16 weeks if not achieving target hemoglobin response and 50 mg dose is well tolerated.
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Pediatric Dosing

Neonatal: Not established
Infant: Not established
Child: Not established
Adolescent: Not established
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Dose Adjustments

Renal Impairment:

Mild: No dose adjustment needed.
Moderate: No dose adjustment needed.
Severe: No dose adjustment needed.
Dialysis: Not studied in patients with end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis. Use with caution.

Hepatic Impairment:

Mild: No dose adjustment needed.
Moderate: Not recommended.
Severe: Not recommended.

Pharmacology

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Mechanism of Action

Mitapivat is an allosteric activator of pyruvate kinase (PK). It binds to and activates wild-type and mutated PK enzymes, increasing PK activity in red blood cells. This leads to increased ATP production and reduced levels of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG), which improves red blood cell survival and reduces hemolysis in patients with pyruvate kinase deficiency.
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Pharmacokinetics

Absorption:

Bioavailability: Not available
Tmax: 1-4 hours
FoodEffect: High-fat meal decreases Cmax by 20% and AUC by 10%. Can be taken with or without food.

Distribution:

Vd: Approximately 100 L
ProteinBinding: >99%
CnssPenetration: Limited (P-glycoprotein substrate)

Elimination:

HalfLife: Approximately 10-14 hours
Clearance: Not available
ExcretionRoute: Primarily feces (approximately 80%), urine (approximately 10%)
Unchanged: <1% (in urine)
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Pharmacodynamics

OnsetOfAction: Not precisely defined, clinical effects observed within weeks of initiation.
PeakEffect: Not precisely defined, clinical effects observed within weeks of initiation.
DurationOfAction: Not precisely defined, related to half-life and continuous dosing.

Safety & Warnings

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Side Effects

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

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 or seek medical help right away:

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
+ Dizziness
+ Fainting
+ Changes in eyesight
Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Breast pain
Burning, numbness, or tingling sensations that are not normal

Additionally, people taking a higher dose of this medication for a different health condition may have an increased risk of liver problems during the first 6 months of treatment. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately:

Dark urine
Fatigue
Decreased appetite
Upset stomach or stomach pain
Light-colored stools
Vomiting
Yellow skin or eyes

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If you experience any of the following side effects or any other symptoms that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor or seek medical help:

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 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.
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Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:

  • Severe headache
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Dark urine
  • Signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat)
  • Unexplained bruising or bleeding
  • New or worsening joint pain or back pain
  • Rash or itching
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Difficulty sleeping
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Before Using This Medicine

Before taking this medication, it is essential to inform your doctor about the following:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this drug, its components, or other substances. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
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 affect the use of this medication.

To ensure your safety, it is vital to inform your doctor and pharmacist about all your medications, health problems, and any potential interactions. Before starting, stopping, or changing the dose of any medication, including this one, consult with your doctor to confirm that it is safe to do so.
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Precautions & Cautions

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication. Regular blood tests and other laboratory assessments should be conducted as directed by your doctor to monitor your condition.

To minimize the risk of hemolysis (red blood cell breakdown), do not abruptly discontinue this medication. If you need to stop taking this drug, your doctor will instruct you on how to gradually taper off the dosage. Immediately report any symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), dark urine, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, or shortness of breath to your doctor.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should be avoided while taking this medication, as they may interact with the drug. Additionally, be aware that this medication can cause elevated triglyceride levels. If you have a history of high triglyceride levels, inform your doctor.

In men, this medication may decrease levels of the reproductive hormones estrone and estradiol. If you have concerns or questions, discuss them with your doctor. It is also important to note that birth control pills and other hormone-based contraceptives may be less effective while taking this medication. To prevent pregnancy, consider using 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.
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Overdose Information

Overdose Symptoms:

  • Symptoms of overdose are not well established. Based on mechanism, exaggerated side effects or liver enzyme elevations might occur.

What to Do:

In case of suspected overdose, contact a poison control center (1-800-222-1222) or seek emergency medical attention immediately. Provide supportive care as clinically indicated.

Drug Interactions

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Contraindicated Interactions

  • Strong CYP3A inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, enzalutamide, mitotane, phenytoin, St. John's Wort)
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Major Interactions

  • Moderate CYP3A inducers (e.g., efavirenz, bosentan, etravirine, modafinil, nafcillin): Avoid concomitant use.
  • Strong CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, itraconazole, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, telithromycin): Reduce mitapivat dose.
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Moderate Interactions

  • Sensitive CYP3A substrates (e.g., midazolam, oral contraceptives, simvastatin): Mitapivat is a moderate CYP3A inducer; may decrease exposure of co-administered CYP3A substrates. Consider alternative or increased dose of CYP3A substrate.
  • P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates (e.g., digoxin): Monitor for increased exposure of P-gp substrates.

Monitoring

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Baseline Monitoring

Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Reticulocytes

Rationale: To establish baseline hematologic parameters and assess severity of anemia.

Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.

Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

Rationale: To assess baseline hepatic function, as mitapivat is metabolized in the liver and hepatic impairment affects dosing.

Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.

Renal Function Tests (e.g., creatinine, eGFR)

Rationale: To assess baseline renal function.

Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.

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Routine Monitoring

Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Reticulocytes

Frequency: Periodically, or as clinically indicated, especially during dose titration.

Target: Improvement in hemoglobin, reduction in hemolysis markers (e.g., indirect bilirubin, LDH), and/or reduction in transfusion burden.

Action Threshold: Lack of response or worsening anemia may indicate need for dose adjustment or re-evaluation.

Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

Frequency: Periodically, or as clinically indicated.

Target: Within normal limits or stable.

Action Threshold: Significant elevations may warrant dose adjustment or discontinuation.

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Symptom Monitoring

  • Signs and symptoms of hemolytic anemia (e.g., fatigue, pallor, jaundice, dark urine, shortness of breath)
  • Signs and symptoms of adverse reactions (e.g., headache, nausea, insomnia, arthralgia, back pain, rash)
  • Signs of potential drug interactions

Special Patient Groups

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Pregnancy

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of mitapivat in pregnant women. Animal studies showed adverse developmental effects (e.g., reduced fetal body weight, skeletal variations) at exposures higher than clinical exposure. Pyrukynd should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. A pregnancy exposure registry is available.

Trimester-Specific Risks:

First Trimester: Animal data suggest potential for developmental toxicity.
Second Trimester: Animal data suggest potential for developmental toxicity.
Third Trimester: Animal data suggest potential for developmental toxicity.
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Lactation

There are no data on the presence of mitapivat in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Pyrukynd and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from Pyrukynd or from the underlying maternal condition.

Infant Risk: Unknown. Potential for adverse effects on breastfed infant.
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Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Pyrukynd is not indicated for use in pediatric patients.

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Geriatric Use

No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between patients 65 years of age and older and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. No specific dose adjustment is required based on age.

Clinical Information

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Clinical Pearls

  • Pyrukynd is the first and only FDA-approved therapy for hemolytic anemia in adults with pyruvate kinase deficiency.
  • The 'Taper Pack' is designed to facilitate the initial dose titration, starting at 5 mg BID, then 20 mg BID, before reaching the maintenance dose of 50 mg BID.
  • Patients should be educated on the importance of adherence to the twice-daily dosing schedule.
  • Close monitoring for drug interactions, especially with CYP3A inducers/inhibitors, is crucial.
  • Patients should be advised to report any new or worsening symptoms of hemolysis or adverse effects.
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Alternative Therapies

  • Supportive care (e.g., red blood cell transfusions for severe anemia)
  • Splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen, which can reduce hemolysis but has long-term risks)
  • Iron chelation therapy (for iron overload due to frequent transfusions)
  • Folic acid supplementation (to support erythropoiesis)
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Cost & Coverage

Average Cost: Highly variable, typically >$10,000 per 30 tablets
Insurance Coverage: Specialty Tier (requires prior authorization, often subject to step therapy)
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General Drug Facts

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it is essential to contact your doctor for further guidance. To ensure your safety, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so it's a good idea to check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, don't hesitate to discuss them with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide detailed information about the overdose, including the substance taken, the amount, and the time it occurred.