What is Iwilfin?
Iwilfin (eflornithine) is an oral ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor used to reduce the risk of relapse in adults and children with high-risk neuroblastoma (HRNB) who have demonstrated at least a partial response to prior treatment with other agents including anti-GD2 immunotherapy.
Iwilfin works as an irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase which is an enzyme that plays a critical role in the synthesis of polyamines which are nitrogenous bases that are involved in cell growth and proliferation, including the transformation of normal cells into cancerous cells.
Iwilfin also targets the MYCN gene which is an oncogene. When mutated, oncogenes have the potential to cause normal cells to become cancerous. By inhibiting these processes suppresses neuroblastoma tumor growth and formation.
How should I take Iwilfin?
Take it exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. The recommended dosage is based on body surface area. Your healthcare provider will calculate this for you.
- Take Iwilfin 2 times a day with or without food.
- Swallow the tablets whole. If you cannot swallow tablets whole, you can chew or crush the tablets and then mix them with 2 tablespoons of soft food or liquid. If you are crushing Iwilfin tablets:
- Eat the entire mixture.
- If any crushed tablet pieces remain, mix with another small amount (about 2 tablespoons) of soft food or liquid.
- Take all of the mixture within 1 hour of mixing. Throw away any mixture left after 1 hour.
Iwilfin is taken until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs, or for a maximum of two years.
What are the side effects of Iwilfin?
Iwilfin may cause serious side effects, including:
- Low blood cell counts and failure of your bone marrow to make enough platelets, red blood cells, or white blood cells. Your healthcare provider will monitor your blood cell counts before starting and during treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop symptoms of low blood cell counts, including:
- fever (temperature 100.4°F or higher)
- feeling unusually tired or weak
- easy bruising or bleeding
- shortness of breath
- blood in your urine or stools.
- chills or shivering.
- Liver problems. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests before starting, every month for the first 6 months, and regularly during treatment with Iwilfin to check your liver. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms of liver problems, including:
- your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice)
- nausea or vomiting
- easy bruising or bleeding
- dark or “tea-colored” urine
- loss of appetite
- light-colored stools (bowel movements)
- pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area (abdomen).
- How to
Storage
Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
Keep Iwilfin and all medicines out of the reach of children.
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