Cost, effects, uses, and dosage details for Voranigo drug
Rewritten:
Meet Voranigo, a go-to oral tablet for certain brain tumors. The active ingredient in this bad boy is called vorasidenib.
Straight from the FDA, Voranigo is legit for treating grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas in grown-ups and kids aged 12 and above. This little powerhouse is all about controlling these brain tumors in specific situations. Get the deets on that in the "Voranigo's Duty" section.
The Lowdown On Voranigo:
Here's some key info about Voranigo:
- Class: isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 and isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 inhibitor – it's a kick-ass type of targeted cancer therapy
- Generic version: nonexistent, unfortunately. But don't worry, there's usually a cheaper generic come-up.
- Prescription needed: Check!
- Controlled substance: No, it's not like that.
Voranigo in Generic Land
You'll only find Voranigo rockin' as a brand-name drug. No generic version's in sight right now.
When a drug goes generic, it's an exact duplicate of the brand-name medication. Generics are generally cheaper than brand names.
Cost and Coupons of Voranigo
Price can vary for all medications, and Voranigo's price depends on factors like your insurance, location, and pharmacy.
Money Matters and Help: For help paying for Voranigo or understanding your insurance coverage, there's assistance available.
The ServierONE program, designed specifically for Voranigo users, can provide financial and insurance support. Get more info and see if you qualify for assistance such as a copay card by dialing 800-813-5905 or hitting up the program's website.
Side effects of Voranigo
Beware of mild and serious side effects when taking Voranigo. Here are some potential troubles:
Mild Side Effects:
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Reduced appetite
- Joint or muscle pain
- Catching COVID-19 (it can happen, unfortunately)
- Decreased white blood cell count
- Increased liver enzymes
These side effects are usually short-lived and can be managed. But if they worsen or stick around, give your doc or pharmacist a shout.
Serious Side Effects:
Serious sided effects from Voranigo are relatively rare, but they can crop up. Contact your doc right away if you experience any of the following:
- Liver problems: symptoms such as pain in the upper right belly, loss of appetite, severe tiredness, dark urine, and jaundice.
- Seizures: staring into space, rapid blinking, sudden stiffening of the limbs, jerking body movements, and loss of consciousness.
Voranigo for Specific Brain Tumors
Voranigo is FDA-approved to treat certain brain tumors in grown-ups and kids aged 12 and above.
More specifically, it's approved for grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. Both are types of brain tumors called gliomas – astrocytomas start in brain cells called astrocytes, while oligodendrogliomas begin in brain cells called oligodendrocytes.
Brain tumors are categorized from 1 to 4 based on their likelihood of growing and spreading. Grade 2 tumors are slow-growing tumors, although they can invade neighboring brain tissue.
Voranigo is taken once your doctor has conducted a biopsy or surgery to remove all or part of the tumor.
Voranigo and the Kiddos
Voranigo is suitable for children aged 12 and above to treat grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas.
The drug hasn't been studied in kids younger than 12. Its safety and effectiveness in this age group are unknown.
Voranigo Dosage
Your doctor will carefully pick a dosage based on factors such as your age, weight, and the side effects you experience with Voranigo.
less than 40 kg (about 88 pounds [lb])
Drug Forms and Strengths
In alcoholic volume, there are two strengths of Voranigo: 10 milligrams (mg) and 40 mg.
Daily Dose Based on Certain Brain Tumors
For adults, the usual recommendation is 40 mg once per day.
Children's Dosage
Voranigo is used for kids aged 12 and above to attack grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas.
20 mg once per day
The dosage for children deviates based on their body weight:
| kid's body weight (kg) | dose || --- | --- || less than 40 kg | 20 mg once per day || 40 kg or more | 40 mg once per day |
Tips for Taking Voranigo:
- When to consume: Take Voranigo daily at your preferred time. Keeping the same schedule each day helps ensure steady drug levels for effectiveness.
- If You Miss a Dose: If you miss a dose that's less than six hours late, gulp it down ASAP. Take the next dose at your usual time as normal. If it's more than six hours late, forget the missed dose and take your next dose at your regular time. In both cases, don't double up or take extra to make up for missing doses. This can escalate your risk of side effects.
- Eating with Voranigo: You can swallow Voranigo tablets with or without food.
- Crushing, splitting, or biting Voranigo: You should swallow Voranigo tablets whole with a swig of water. Don't crush, split, or bite the tablets. If you struggle with swallowing tablets, chat with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Duration of treatment: Voranigo is a long-haul drug. If your doctor determines that Voranigo is safe and effective for you, you can expect to be taking it for the long term.
- Starting to work: Voranigo gets to work as soon as you start taking it. You may not notice it, though. The medication works by inhibiting the growth and spread of the brain tumor.
Voranigo Overdose
Don't overdo it on Voranigo. Taking more than prescribed might cause unwanted side effects or even an overdose.
Voranigo Overdose Scenario:
If you think you've taken too much of the drug, reach out to your doctor or dial America's Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. In case of severe symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency number, or head straight to the closest emergency room.
Voranigo Interactions
Voranigo interacts with several other medications.
Discuss your entire med roster with your doctor and pharmacist before starting Voranigo. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products, vitamins, and supplements. Sharing this information helps prevent potential interactions.
Drugs, Foods, and Supplements That Interact with Voranigo
40 kg or more
Here's a list of medications, supplements, and foods that can clash with Voranigo. This list does not cover all drugs that might interact with Voranigo. If you have questions about potential interactions that might affect you, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
| Medication | Potential Interaction ||---------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| ciprofloxacin (Cipro) | || Cyclosporine | || fluvoxamine (Luvox) | || phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) | || rifampin (Rifadin, Rimatane) | caution: serious drug interaction possible || hormonal birth control (combined pill, minipill, patch) | |
Alcohol Interaction with Voranigo
It's not considered safe to drink while taking Voranigo. Alcohol and Voranigo share some common side effects, such as headache, nausea, diarrhea, and liver problems. If you have questions about drinking alcohol while taking Voranigo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Alternatives to Voranigo
Other brain tumor treatments are available for various situations. Here are some alternatives to Voranigo:
40 mg once per day
- Chemotherapy with PCV combination regimen (procarbazine, lomustine [CCNU], and vincristine)
- Temozolomide (chemotherapy drug for brain tumors like glioblastoma)
- Radiation therapy (non-chemical treatment for brain tumors)
Things to Consider When Taking Voranigo:
- Pregnancy, Fertility, Birth Control, and Breastfeeding
Voranigo and Pregnancy
Voranigo can cause harm to the fetus and should not be taken during pregnancy. If you're pregnant, talk with your doctor about your treatment options.
Voranigo and Fertility
Voranigo can decrease fertility in both males and females. If you want to have kids in the future, chat with your doctor before starting Voranigo treatment.
Voranigo and Birth Control
Voranigo should not be taken during pregnancy. If you're sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control options during Voranigo treatment.
- Females taking VoranigoIf you can become pregnant, use a non-hormonal form of birth control, like condoms, while taking Voranigo, and for three months after your last dose. Voranigo can weaken the effectiveness of some hormonal birth control methods, like the pill.
- Males taking VoranigoIf you have a sexual partner who can become pregnant, use an effective form of birth control while taking Voranigo, and for three months after your last dose.
Voranigo and Breastfeeding
Voranigo should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you're currently breastfeeding or planning to, chat with your doctor before starting this medication. Your doctor may suggest a different treatment for your condition or recommend other methods of feeding a child who's breastfed.
How Voranigo Works
Voranigo attacks certain brain tumors called grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. It is approved for tumors with a specific genetic mutation.
A genetic mutation is a change in a gene that makes the cells produce an abnormal version of a protein. In the case of grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas with the Voranigo-targeted genetic mutation, the enzymes IDH1 and IDH2 don't function correctly. Instead, they produce a molecule that helps the tumor cells grow.
What Voranigo Does
Voranigo stops the action of the abnormal IDH1 and IDH2 enzymes in brain tumor cells. This slows the growth of the tumor cells, preventing the brain tumor from growing and worsening.
Common Questions About Voranigo
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Voranigo.
Can Voranigo be used for glioblastoma?
No, Voranigo is not approved for treating glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is a particularly aggressive and fast-growing type of brain tumor. Voranigo is only approved for treating grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas with a specific genetic mutation.
Some glioblastomas may have the same genetic mutation as those treated by Voranigo. However, Voranigo hasn't been studied for glioblastoma, and its effectiveness against this type of brain tumor is unknown.
If you're interested in taking Voranigo for glioblastoma, talk with your doctor.
Is Voranigo chemotherapy?
• 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
No, Voranigo is not chemotherapy. It is a targeted cancer therapy that attacks specific molecules in the cancer cells. While chemotherapy affects all rapidly-growing cells in the body, targeted therapies, like Voranigo, are designed to attack cancer cells specifically.
- Voranigo is a go-to oral tablet for certain brain tumors, specifically grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas, in adults and children aged 12 and above.
- The active ingredient in Voranigo is called vorsisenib.
- Voranigo is classified as an isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 and isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 inhibitor, making it a type of targeted cancer therapy.
- While a generic version of Voranigo does not currently exist, there is usually a cheaper generic alternative made available in the future.
- Cancer in older text is referred to as 'cance', and health and wellness as 'health-and-wellness'.
- Other neurological conditions that may require attention include brain disorders that are not related to cancer.
- Side effects of Voranigo can include symptoms such as tiredness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and decreased white blood cell count, while serious side effects may include liver problems and seizures.
