Generic
Osimertinib
(oh-si-MER-ti-nib)
Brand
Tagrisso®
(tuh-GRIH-soh)
Additional resources
Osimertinib (Tagrisso®) s used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has a genetic mutation called epidermal growth factor (EGFR).
Our Medication Sheet
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Page 1 OSIMERTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Name of your medication Generic name — osimertinib oh si MER ti nib Brand name — Tagrisso® tuh GRIH soh Approved uses Osimertinib is used to treat non small cell lung cancer NSCLC that has a genetic mutation called epidermal growth factor EGFR . Dose and schedule Taking osimertinib as instructed is important to allow your treatment to be as effective as possible, so here are some key points to remember. Your dose may vary, but the usual dose of osimertinib is 80 milligrams 80 mg to be taken by mouth at a scheduled time each day. Osimertinib should be taken with or without food at the same time each day. Osimertinib should be taken whole and not crushed or cut. If you are unable to swallow osimertinib, talk to your care provider or pharmacist for possible options. If you miss a dose of osimertinib, do not take an extra dose or two doses at one time. Simply take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Be sure to write down if you miss a dose and let your care provider know about any missed doses. Storage and handling Handle osimertinib with care. Just like when chemotherapy is given into the vein, this drug can be toxic, and exposure of the drug to others should be limited. Store osimertinib at room temperature 68°F–77°F in a dry location away from light. Keep osimertinib out of reach of children and pets. Leave osimertinib in the provided packaging until it is ready to be taken. Whenever possible, you should give osimertinib to yourself and follow the steps below. If a family member, friend, or caregiver needs to give the osimertinib to you, they also need to follow these steps: 1. Wash hands with soap and water. 2. Put on gloves to avoid touching the medication. Gloves are not necessary if you give the drug to yourself. 3. Gently transfer the osimertinib from its package to a small medicine or other disposable cup. 4. Administer the medicine immediately by mouth with water. 5. Remove gloves and do not use them for anything else. 6. Throw gloves and medicine cup in household trash. 7. Wash hands with soap and water. OSIMERTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 2 If a daily pill box or pill reminder is used, a separate one should be used for osimertinib. Do not mix other medications into the box with osimertinib. The person filling the box or reminder should wear gloves. Gloves are not necessary if you are filling the box or reminder. When empty, the box or reminder should be washed with soap and water before refilling. Be sure to wash hands with soap and water after the task is complete, whether or not gloves are worn. If you have any unused osimertinib, do not throw it in the trash and do not flush it down the sink or toilet. Talk to your care provider or pharmacist about proper disposal of osimertinib. If you are traveling, put your osimertinib in a sealed plastic bag. Ask your pharmacist if any additional travel precautions are needed. Handling body fluids and waste Osimertinib remains in your body for several days after it is taken, so some of the drug may be present in urine, stool, sweat, or vomit. Once you have started to take osimertinib, it is important to follow the instructions below every day for as long as your treatment lasts. This will keep yourself, loved ones, and the environment as safe as possible. Pregnant women should avoid touching anything that may be soiled with body fluids from the patient. Toilet and septic systems You may use the same toilet, septic tank, and/or sewer that you usually use. If you have a low flow toilet, close the lid and flush twice to ensure all waste has been discarded. If the toilet or toilet seat becomes soiled with urine, stool, or vomit, clean the surfaces before other people use the toilet. Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet. If you need a bedpan, be sure your caregiver knows to wear gloves to assist with cleanup and to wash the bedpan with soap and water every day. If you do not have good control of bladder or bowels, use a disposable pad with a plastic back, a diaper, or a sheet to absorb body waste. Wash any skin that has been exposed to body waste or osimertinib with soap and water. Linens or clothing that are soiled with body fluids or body waste should be washed separately from other linens and clothing. If you do not have a washer, place the soiled linens in a plastic bag until they can be washed. Wash hands with soap and water after touching linens or clothing that may be soiled with body fluids. Drug and food interactions Osimertinib has many drug interactions. Inform your care providers of all prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Talk with your care provider or pharmacist before taking new medications or supplements or receiving any vaccines. OSIMERTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 3 Side Effects of Osimertinib The common side effects that have been known to happen in more than 30% of patients taking osimertinib are listed in the left side of this table. You MAY NOT experience these side effects. Options to help manage any side effects that do occur are included on the right side of this table. These should be discussed with your care provider. If you experience any side effect you cannot manage or that is not listed here, contact your care provider. Possible Side Effect Management Decreased white blood cells WBCs and increased risk of infection Your WBCs should be monitored by a simple blood test. When your WBCs are low, you are at greater risk for infection. Take the following precautions to protect yourself from infection. Wash your hands often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. Avoid crowds and people with fevers, flu, or other infection. Bathe regularly to keep good personal hygiene. Contact your care provider if you experience any signs or symptoms of an infection such as: Fever temperature more than 100.4°F or 38°C Chills Sore throat Burning with urination Unusual tiredness A sore that becomes red, is draining, or does not heal Check with your care provider before taking any medicine for a fever or chills. Decreased platelet count and increased risk of bleeding Your platelets should be monitored by a simple blood test. When they are low, you may bruise or bleed more easily than usual. Use caution to avoid bruises, cuts, or burns. Blow your nose gently and do not pick your nose. Brush your teeth gently with a soft toothbrush and maintain good oral hygiene. When shaving, use an electronic razor instead of razor blades. Use a nail file instead of nail clippers. Call your care provider if you have bleeding that won’t stop. Examples include: A bloody nose that bleeds for more than 5 minutes despite pressure A cut that continues to ooze despite pressure Gums that bleed excessively when you floss or brush Seek medical help immediately if you experience any severe headaches, blood in your urine or stool, coughing up blood, or prolonged and uncontrollable bleeding. You may need to take a break or hold your medication for medical or dental procedures. Talk to your care provider or dentist before any scheduled procedures. Continued on the next page OSIMERTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 4 Possible Side Effect Management Diarrhea loose and/ or urgent bowel movements Monitor how many bowel movements you have each day. Drink 8–10 glasses of water or fluid each day unless your care provider has instructed you to limit your fluid intake related to some other health problem. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day rather than a few large meals. Eat bland, low fiber foods e.g., bananas, applesauce, potatoes, chicken, rice, toast . Avoid high fiber foods e.g., raw vegetables, raw fruits, whole grains . Avoid foods that cause gas, such as broccoli and beans. Avoid lactose containing foods, such as yogurt and milk. Avoid spicy, fried, and greasy foods. Contact your provider if any of the following occur: The number of bowel movements you have in a day increases by four or more. You feel dizzy or lightheaded. Your care provider may recommend an over the counter medication called loperamide Imodium® to help with your diarrhea, but talk to your care provider before starting this medication. Decreased hemoglobin, part of the red blood cells that carry iron and oxygen Your hemoglobin should be monitored by a simple blood test. When your hemoglobin is low, you may notice that you get tired or fatigued more easily. Try to get 7–8 hours of sleep per night. Avoid operating heavy machinery if you feel too tired. Find a balance between work and rest. Stay as active as possible, but know that it is okay to rest, too. You might notice that you are more pale than usual. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you experience any of the following: Shortness of breath Dizziness Palpitations Rash or dry/itchy skin Keep your skin moisturized with creams and moisturizing lotions to decrease the risk of rash or itchiness, and wear loose fitting clothing. Avoid using perfumes and cologne as these products may increase rash symptoms. Avoid being in the heat for long periods of time. Your provider may recommend an over the counter antihistamine or a topical cream. Sunlight can make symptoms worse. – Avoid sun exposure as much as possible to decrease the risk of sunburn. The highest exposure to UV ultraviolet radiation occurs from the hours of 10 am through 4 pm. – Wear long sleeved clothing with UV protection, if possible. – Wear broad brimmed hats. – Apply broad spectrum sunscreen UVA/UVB with at least SPF 30 as often as directed on the bottle. – Use lip balm with at least SPF 30. If your rash or itching continues to worsen, contact your care provider. OSIMERTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 5 If you experience ANY uncontrolled side effect, call your physician or healthcare center immediately: INSTITUTIONAL CONTACT INFO Pregnancy, sexual activity, and contraception Women should not become pregnant and men should not get a partner pregnant while taking osimertinib. Women of childbearing age and potential should use effective contraception during therapy and for a minimum of six weeks after the last dose of osimertinib. Men with female partners of childbearing age and potential should use effective contraception during therapy and for a minimum of four months after the last dose of osimertinib. Do not breastfeed while taking osimertinib and for two weeks after the last dose of osimertinib. Inform your care provider if you become pregnant. It is safe to hug and kiss, but special precautions may be needed for sexual activity while on oral chemotherapy. You are encouraged to talk to your care provider. Obtaining medication Talk with your care provider about how to obtain your osimertinib. PHARMACY OR SPECIALTY PHARMACY CONTACT INFO Additional resources Product website: www.tagrisso.com Product prescribing information: www.azpicentral.com/tagrisso/tagrisso.pdf#page=1 Product resources: www.tagrisso.com/lung cancer resources.html Updated – February 4, 2018 Additional instructions OSIMERTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 6 Important notice: The Association of Community Cancer Centers ACCC , Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association HOPA , National Community Oncology Dispensing Association, Inc. NCODA , and Oncology Nursing Society ONS have collaborated in gathering information for and developing this patient education guide. This guide represents a brief summary of the medication derived from information provided by the drug manufacturer and other resources. This guide does not cover all existing information related to the possible uses, directions, doses, precautions, warnings, interactions, adverse effects, or risks associated with this medication and should not substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Provision of this guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of this medication by ACCC, HOPA, NCODA, or ONS, who assume no liability for and cannot ensure the accuracy of the information presented. The collaborators are not making any representations with respect to the medications whatsoever, and any and all decisions, with respect to such medications, are at the sole risk of the individual consuming the medication. All decisions related to taking this medication should be made with the guidance and under the direction of a qualified healthcare professional. Permission: Oral Chemotherapy Education OCE sheets are provided as a free educational resource for patients with cancer in need of concise, easy to understand information about oral cancer drugs. Healthcare providers are permitted to copy and distribute the sheets to patients as well as direct patients to the OCE website for information. However, commercial reproduction or reuse, as well as rebranding or reposting of any type, are strictly prohibited without permission of the copyright holder. Please email permission requests and licensing inquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Copyright © 2018 by Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association. All rights reserved.