Pyrukynd 5mg Tablets
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To get the most benefit from your medication, follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Read all the information provided with your prescription and follow the instructions closely. You can take this medication with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole - do not chew, break, crush, or dissolve it. Continue taking your medication as directed 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 the bathroom. Keep the blister wallets in their original carton until you are ready to use them. Always keep your medications in a safe place, 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 dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or take extra doses to make up for a missed dose.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Take Pyrukynd exactly as prescribed by your doctor, usually twice a day.
- You can take Pyrukynd 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 they can interact with Pyrukynd.
- Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor promptly.
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
While rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects when taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately:
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
Abnormal or rapid heartbeat
Breast pain
Unusual burning, numbness, or tingling sensations
Signs of liver problems (more common in people taking higher doses for a different health condition), such as:
+ 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. Although 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:
Back pain
Joint pain
Stomach pain or diarrhea
Flushing
Mouth or throat pain or irritation
Constipation
Dry mouth
Dry lips
Reporting Side Effects
This list is not exhaustive, and you may experience other side effects. If you have questions or concerns, 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:
- Signs of liver problems: unusual tiredness, yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite.
- Severe allergic reactions: rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing.
- Unusual bleeding or bruising.
Before Using This Medicine
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this drug, its components, or other substances. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including the 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 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.
It is important to 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.
To ensure your safety, it is vital to provide your doctor and pharmacist with a comprehensive list of all your medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, natural products, and vitamins, as well as any health problems you are experiencing. This will enable them to assess potential interactions and determine whether it is safe for you to take this medication. Never start, stop, or modify the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
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 signs of hemolysis to your doctor, including jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), dark urine, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, or shortness of breath.
Avoid consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking this medication, as it 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.
Women taking this medication should be aware that birth control pills and other hormone-based contraceptives may be less effective. To prevent pregnancy, use an additional form of birth control, such as a condom, while taking this medication.
If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, consult your doctor to discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication to you and your baby.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Symptoms of overdose are not well established, but may include exaggerated adverse effects.
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 needed.
Drug Interactions
Major Interactions
- Strong CYP3A inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John's Wort): Concomitant use is not recommended as it can significantly decrease mitapivat exposure and efficacy.
- Strong CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir): Concomitant use is not recommended as it can significantly increase mitapivat exposure and adverse reactions.
Moderate Interactions
- Moderate CYP3A inducers (e.g., bosentan, efavirenz, etravirine, modafinil): May decrease mitapivat exposure. Consider dose adjustment or alternative agents.
- Moderate CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., erythromycin, diltiazem, verapamil, fluconazole): May increase mitapivat exposure. Monitor for adverse reactions.
- CYP3A substrates (e.g., midazolam, simvastatin, oral contraceptives): Mitapivat is a moderate CYP3A inducer. May decrease exposure of co-administered CYP3A substrates, reducing their efficacy. Consider dose increase for the substrate or alternative agents.
- P-gp substrates (e.g., digoxin, dabigatran): Mitapivat is a P-gp inducer. May decrease exposure of co-administered P-gp substrates. Monitor or adjust dose of P-gp substrate.
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To establish baseline hemoglobin, assess anemia severity, and monitor response to therapy.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: To assess baseline hepatic function and monitor for potential drug-induced liver injury or changes in bilirubin related to hemolysis.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: To assess baseline renal function.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Every 4 weeks during dose titration, then as clinically indicated (e.g., every 3 months or more frequently if clinically unstable).
Target: Improved hemoglobin levels, reduced transfusion burden.
Action Threshold: Consider dose increase if hemoglobin increases by <1 g/dL and patient is not transfused. Consider dose reduction or discontinuation if significant adverse effects or lack of efficacy.
Frequency: Periodically, or as clinically indicated, especially if symptoms of hepatic dysfunction occur.
Target: Within normal limits or stable for patient's baseline.
Action Threshold: Elevations in LFTs may warrant dose reduction or discontinuation.
Symptom Monitoring
- Signs and symptoms of hemolysis (e.g., fatigue, pallor, jaundice, dark urine)
- Signs and symptoms of adverse reactions (e.g., nausea, headache, diarrhea, arthralgia, rash)
- Signs and symptoms of liver dysfunction (e.g., unexplained nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, dark urine, jaundice)
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Pyrukynd in pregnant women. Animal studies have shown adverse developmental effects (embryo-fetal mortality, reduced fetal weight, skeletal variations) at exposures higher than clinical exposure. Use during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
It is not known whether mitapivat is excreted in human milk. Due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Pyrukynd and for at least 3 days after the last dose.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
Geriatric Use
No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly patients (65 years and older) and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. No dose adjustment is required based on age.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Pyrukynd is the first and only FDA-approved 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 transfusion requirements is crucial to assess treatment response.
- Counsel patients on potential drug interactions, especially with strong CYP3A inducers/inhibitors and P-gp substrates.
- Patients should be advised to report any signs of liver dysfunction immediately.
Alternative Therapies
- Supportive care (e.g., red blood cell transfusions)
- Splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen, which can reduce hemolysis but carries risks)
- Iron chelation therapy (for iron overload due to chronic transfusions)
- Folic acid supplementation (to support erythropoiesis)