Cost, effects, applications, dosage, and additional details about Voranigo medication
Delightfully Dished: Voranigo Uncovered
Let's dive into all things Voranigo! This bad boy is a brand-name oral tablet prescribed for certain brain tumors. It contains our hero ingredient, vorasidenib.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the go-ahead for Voranigo to treat grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas in adults and children 12 years and older. This little pill is a godsend in certain situations for these brain tumors. Curious about its specific purposes? Check out the "Voranigo uses" section below.
The Nitty-Gritties
Here's some key information you'll find here:
- Drug class: Voranigo is an isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 and isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 inhibitor, which is a type of targeted cancer therapy.
- Generic available? Alas, no — only in brand-name form for now.
- Prescription required? Absolutely, yes!
- Controlled substance? Nope, not at all.
The One and Only Voranigo Generic
Sadly, you can't find good ol' Voranigo in generic form. But what's a "generic" you ask? Simply put, it's an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name pill, sometimes available at a lesser cost.
The Cost and Coupons Down Low
Just like all treatments, the price of our pal Voranigo can vary. Your insurance plan, location, and pharmacy will ultimately determine the final figure. You might need financial assistance, and help is out there if you do. Check out ServierONE for more information and to see if you're eligible for copay card support.
Side Effects, Oh My!
Voranigo can cause mild to serious side effects. Some of the key ones to watch for are listed here, but remember these ain't the only possibilities:
- Mild side effects: fatigue, headache, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, reduced appetite, pain or stiffness in your muscles or joints, COVID-19, decreased white blood cell count, increased liver enzymes.
- Serious side effects: liver problems, seizures, allergic reactions.
Remember, the FDA keeps track of side effects to protect us all. If you do experience a side effect, the FDA encourages you to share your experience with MedWatch.
Voranigo Overview
Voranigo for Certain Brain Tumors
Yep, you guessed it! Voranigo is FDA-approved to treat certain brain tumors in adults and children over 12. These tumors are known by the fancy names astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas, and they belong to the gang of brain tumors called gliomas.
Tumors like these are graded from 1 to 4, with 2 being low-grade, slow-growers. However, these little critters can still nibble away at nearby brain tissue. Voranigo is approved for cases where these tumors have a specific genetic mutation known as IDH1 or IDH2.
Typical symptoms include headaches in the morning, nausea and vomiting, vision problems, hearing impairments, speech issues, balance problems, weakness on one side of the body, shifts in personality or behavior, and seizures.
Voranigo belongs to the exclusive club of targeted cancer therapies, and it helps stop the brain tumor from growing and getting worse. This superhero works best after a biopsy or surgery to remove all or part of the tumor.
Voranigo and Children
Voranigo is FDA-approved for use in children over 12 to treat astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas with an IDH1 or IDH2 mutation. The drug hasn't been researched in children under 12 yet, so it's unknown whether it's safe or effective for this age group.
Dosage Details
The dosage prescribed by your doc will depend on several factors, including age, weight, and if any side effects appear. Expect the available dosages to be 10mg or 40mg tablets.
For brain tumor treatment, most doctors prescribe 40mg once a day for adults, while children over 12 are dosed based on their weight:
- Children under 40kg (about 88lbs) take 20mg once daily.
- Those 40kg and above take 40mg once daily.
less than 40 kg (about 88 pounds [lb])
Taking Voranigo
You'll find some essential tidbits about taking Voranigo here:
- When to take: Voranigo should be taken once a day, ideally at the same time each day.
- If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose and it's been less than 6 hours, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then resume your regular schedule. If it's been more than 6 hours, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
- Taking Voranigo with food: You can take Voranigo with or without food, but it's up to your discretion.
- Crushing, splitting, or chewing Voranigo: Swallow the tablets whole with water. Do not crush, split, or chew the pills. If you have difficulty swallowing the tablets, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
- Length of use: Voranigo is intended for long-term treatment. You'll likely take it for quite some time if your doc sees no major side effects and believes it's benefiting you.
- Length of time to work: Voranigo starts making its moves as soon as you pop that first pill, but you might not feel it at all. This nifty pill works by slowing the growth of the brain tumor and keeping it from getting worse.
Overdose
Too much of a good thing? Don't take more Voranigo than your doc recommends. Overdoing it can lead to unwanted side effects or an overdose.
20 mg once per day
What to do if you take too much Voranigo
If you think you've taken too much Voranigo, call your doc pronto. You can also reach out to America's Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If your symptoms get severe, dial 911 or your local emergency number or head to the nearest emergency room ASAP.
Voranigo Interactions
Voranigo can interact with a handful of other medications, so spill the beans on your prescription meds, OTC goods, vitamins, herbs, and supplements before starting treatment. A knowledgeable pharmacist can help you steer clear of messy interactions.
Here are some drugs that can interact with Voranigo:
- ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
- cyclosporine (Neoral, others)
- fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rimatane)
- hormonal forms of birth control, such as the combined pill, minipill, or patch
Alternatives
The Great Substitutes
Other brain tumor treatments are available that may better suit your situation. Chat with your doc if you're curious to find alternatives to Voranigo.
Here are options you might explore:
40 kg or more
- chemotherapy with drugs like:
- PCV combination regimen (procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine)
- temozolomide
- radiation therapy
Things to Consider When Taking Voranigo
Pregnancy, Fertility, Birth Control, and Breastfeeding Considerations
Voranigo and Pregnancy
Voranigo carries a risk of fetal harm, so it's usually not prescribed during pregnancy. If you're pregnant, ask your doc for advice on your treatment options.
40 mg once per day
If you plan to become pregnant, talk to your doc about birth control choices during Voranigo treatment.
Voranigo and Fertility
Voranigo can reduce fertility in both males and females. If you desire offspring in the future, talk with your doc about your options before starting Voranigo treatment.
Voranigo and Birth Control
Voranigo is not safe to take during pregnancy. If you're sexually active and can become pregnant, your doc will likely recommend a nonhormonal form of birth control, like condoms, during Voranigo treatment, and for 3 months following your final dose.
Voranigo and Breastfeeding
Voranigo should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you're nursing or planning to, chat with your doc for guidance on alternate ways to feed your baby or for ideas on other treatments that work better in this situation.
How Voranigo Works
Voranigo is all about quashing certain brain tumors, those pleasing pehaps astrocytomas or oligodendrogliomas, with that fancy IDH1 or IDH2 mutation.
A genetic mutation is a change in a gene that makes a protein work incorrectly. Voranigo targets abnormal IDH1 and IDH2 enzymes in brain tumor cells, helping prevent them from multiplying and growing.
Common Questions About Voranigo
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Voranigo.
Can Voranigo be used for glioblastoma?
Nope, Voranigo is not approved to treat glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor known for its speedy growth. Voranigo has not been studied for the use of treating this tumor type, so it's currently unclear whether it's an effective treatment option.
Is Voranigo chemotherapy?
No, Voranigo is a targeted cancer therapy, not chemotherapy. Unlike chemotherapy, which attacks all rapidly growing cells—including cancer cells and healthy ones—targeted therapies work more selectively against cancer cells. Nonetheless, targeted therapies can still have some serious side effects.
If you have questions about chemotherapy and Voranigo, swing by your doc for a chat. They'll help you decide what's best for your health and your tumor's creepy crawlies.
Voranigo Precautions
Before starting Voranigo, share your health history with your doc. They'll help determine whether Voranigo is suitable for you. Important precautions:
- liver problems
- kidney problems
- previous allergic reactions to this or similar drugs
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- smoking
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro)• cyclosporine (Neoral, others)• fluvoxamine (Luvox)• phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimatane)• hormonal forms of birth control, such as the combined pill, minipill, or patch
For more info about potential side effects and adverse reactions, check out the "Voranigo side effects" section.
- Voranigo is an oral tablet used for certain brain tumors, specifically astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas, in both adults and children over 12 years old.
- This medication is classified as an isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 and isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 inhibitor, which is a type of targeted cancer therapy.
- The FDA has approved Voranigo for use in treating brain tumors that have a specific genetic mutation known as IDH1 or IDH2.
- Voranigo can cause mild to serious side effects, such as fatigue, headache, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, reduced appetite, pain or stiffness in muscles or joints, COVID-19, decreased white blood cell count, increased liver enzymes, liver problems, seizures, and allergic reactions.
- While there isn't a generic form of Voranigo available, financial assistance may be available through ServierONE for those who need help with copayment costs.
