Ripretinib (Qinlock™)

How To Take Ripretinib

Ripretinib comes in a tablet form to be taken by mouth. The tablets should be swallowed whole and can be taken with or without food. You should take the medication at the same time every day. If you miss a dose and it is less than 8 hours since you should have taken your medication you can take it. If you vomit after taking your medication do not take another dose and take your next dose as scheduled.

It is important to make sure you are taking the correct amount of medication every time. Before every dose, check that what you are taking matches what you have been prescribed. You may need to take multiple tablets to achieve your full dose, unless otherwise directed by your medical team.

The blood levels of this medication can be affected by certain foods and medications, so they should be avoided. These include: grapefruit, grapefruit juice, atazanavir, carbamazepine, clarithromycin, cobicistat, darunavir, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lopinavir, lumacaftor, ivacaftor, nefazedone, nelfinavir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, posaconazole, rifabutin, rifampin, ritonavir, saquinavir, St. John’s wort, telithromycin, and voriconazole, among others. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you take.

Storage and Handling

Store your medication in the original, labeled container at room temperature and in a dry location (unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider or pharmacist). This medication should not be stored in a pillbox as it needs to be protected from moisture and light. There will be a desiccant packet in the pill container that should not be removed. This is to absorb moisture. Also, make sure to fully close the container. Keep containers out of reach of children and pets.

If a caregiver prepares your dose for you, they should consider wearing gloves or pour the pills directly from their container into the cap, a small cup, or directly into your hand. They should avoid touching the pills. They should always wash their hands before and after giving you the medication. Pregnant or nursing women should not prepare the dose for you. Ask your oncology team where to return any unused medication for disposal. Do not flush down the toilet or throw in the trash.

Where do I get this medication?

Certain cancer medications are only available through specialty pharmacies. If you need to get this medication through a specialty pharmacy, your provider will help you start this process. Where you can fill your prescriptions may also be influenced by your prescription drug coverage. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for assistance in identifying where you can get this medication.

Insurance Information

This medication may be covered under your prescription drug plan. Patient assistance may be available to qualifying individuals depending upon prescription drug coverage. Co-pay cards, which reduce the patient co-pay responsibility for eligible commercially (non-government sponsored) insured patients, may also be available. Your care team can help you find these resources if they are available.

Possible Side Effects

There are a number of things you can do to manage the side effects of ripretinib. Talk to your care team about these recommendations. They can help you decide what will work best for you. These are some of the most common or important side effects:

Loss or Thinning of Scalp and Body Hair (Alopecia)

Your hair may become thin, brittle, or may fall out. This typically begins two to three weeks after treatment starts. This hair loss can be all body hair, including pubic, underarm, legs/arms, eyelashes, and nose hairs. The use of scarves, wigs, hats, and hairpieces may help. Hair generally starts to regrow soon after treatment is completed. Remember your hair helps keep you warm in cold weather, so a hat is particularly important in cold weather or to protect you from the sun.

Fatigue

Fatigue is very common during cancer treatment and is an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion that is not usually relieved by rest. While on cancer treatment, and for a period after, you may need to adjust your schedule to manage fatigue. Plan times to rest during the day and conserve energy for more important activities. Exercise can help combat fatigue; a simple daily walk with a friend can help. Talk to your healthcare team for helpful tips on dealing with this side effect.

Nausea and/or Vomiting

Talk to your oncology care team so they can prescribe medications to help you manage nausea and vomiting. In addition, dietary changes may help. Avoid things that may worsen the symptoms, such as heavy or greasy/fatty, spicy, or acidic foods (lemons, tomatoes, oranges). Try saltines, or ginger ale to lessen symptoms.

Call your oncology care team if you are unable to keep fluids down for more than 12 hours or if you feel lightheaded or dizzy at any time.

Constipation

There are several things you can do to prevent or relieve constipation. Include fiber in your diet (fruits and vegetables), drink 8-10 glasses of non-alcoholic fluids a day, and keep active. A stool softener once or twice a day may prevent constipation. If you do not have a bowel movement for 2-3 days, you should contact your healthcare team for suggestions to relieve the constipation.

Muscle or Joint Pain/Aches

Your healthcare provider can recommend medications and other strategies to help relieve pain.

Diarrhea

Your oncology care team can recommend medications to relieve diarrhea. Also, try eating low-fiber, bland foods, such as white rice and boiled or baked chicken. Avoid raw fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, cereals, and seeds. Soluble fiber is found in some foods and absorbs fluid, which can help relieve diarrhea. Foods high in soluble fiber include: applesauce, bananas (ripe), canned fruit, orange sections, boiled potatoes, white rice, products made with white flour, oatmeal, cream of rice, cream of wheat, and farina. Drink 8-10 glasses of non-alcoholic, un-caffeinated fluid a day to prevent dehydration.

Decrease in Appetite or Taste Changes

Nutrition is an important part of your care. Cancer treatment can affect your appetite and, in some cases, the side effects of treatment can make eating difficult. Ask your oncology care team about nutritional counseling services at your treatment center to help with food choices.

• Try to eat five or six small meals or snacks throughout the day, instead of 3 larger meals.
• If you are not eating enough, nutritional supplements may help.
• You may experience a metallic taste or find that food has no taste at all. You may dislike foods or beverages that you liked before receiving cancer treatment. These symptoms can last for several months or longer after treatment ends.
• Avoid any food that you think smells or tastes bad. If red meat is a problem, eat chicken, turkey, eggs, dairy products, and fish without a strong smell. Sometimes cold food has less of an odor.
• Add extra flavor to meat or fish by marinating it in sweet juices, sweet and sour sauce, or dressings. Use seasonings like basil, oregano, or rosemary to add flavor. Bacon, ham, and onion can add flavor to vegetables.

Hand-Foot Syndrome

Hand foot syndrome (HFS), also called palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, is a skin reaction that appears on the palms of the hands and/or the soles of the feet, as a result of certain chemotherapy agents being absorbed by the skin cells. HFS can begin as a mild tingling, numbness, pins-and-needles feeling, redness or pain, or swelling of the hands and/or feet. This can then progress to painful swelling, blistering, or peeling skin that can interfere with your ability to do normal activities. Be sure to let your oncology team know right away if you notice these symptoms, as they may need to adjust the chemotherapy dose or take a break to allow the skin to heal. Some tips to help prevent HFS include:

• Keep hands and feet clean and dry.
• Avoid tight shoes or socks.
• Avoid activities that put pressure on the palms or soles for 1 week after treatment.
• Apply an alcohol-free moisturizer liberally and often. (Avoid moisturizers with perfumes or scents)
• Avoid very hot water for baths and showers.

Changes in Lab Values

This medication can cause changes to lab values which will be monitored by your provider. These lab values are monitored when you have your blood drawn. There can be changes to your activated partial thromboplastin time, INR, lipase, phosphate, triglycerides, calcium, bilirubin, and creatine phosphokinase, amongst others. Your provider will tell you what symptoms to look for related to these changes in values.

Less common, but important side effects can include:

• High Blood Pressure: This medication can cause high blood pressure (hypertension). Patients should have their blood pressure checked regularly during therapy. Any hypertension should be treated appropriately. Report any headaches, vision changes, or dizziness to your oncology care team.
• Secondary Skin Cancers: There is a very low risk of developing skin cancer due to treatment with this medication, which can occur during or after treatment. Because this medication has been associated with the development of skin cancers, it is important to practice sun safety. Avoid the sun between 10am-2pm, when it is strongest. Wear sunscreen (at least SPF 15) everyday; wear sunglasses, a hat, and long sleeves/pants to protect your skin and seek out shade whenever possible. Notify your provider if you have any changes in your skin.
• Heart Failure: This medication can affect your heart and how well it functions. Call your provider right away if you have tiredness, swelling in your stomach, legs or ankles, shortness of breath, or protruding neck veins.
• Wound Healing: This medication can lead to slower or incomplete wound healing, such as a surgical wound not healing or staying closed. Be sure to inform the team performing the surgical procedure that you are taking ripretinib. You should also inform your oncology team that a surgical procedure is planned It is recommended that this medication be discontinued 1 week prior to any surgery. You should wait to restart the medication at least 2 weeks after surgery and any surgical incision should be fully healed prior to starting or restarting the medication. If you have a surgical wound that has not healed or begins to have signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth), report this to your healthcare team.
• Photosensitivity: Your skin may be more sensitive to the sun, which can result in severe sunburn or rash. Sun sensitivity can last even after chemotherapy is completed. Avoid the sun between 10-2pm, when it is strongest. Wear sunscreen (at least SPF 30 with UVA/UVB protection) every day and reapply when in the sun for extended periods of time); wear sunglasses with UVA/UVB protection, a hat, and long sleeves/pants to protect your skin and seek out shade whenever possible.

Sexual & Reproductive Concerns

This medication may affect a man's reproductive system, resulting in sperm production becoming irregular or stopping permanently. You may want to consider sperm banking if you may wish to have a child in the future. Discuss these options with your oncology team.

Exposure of an unborn child to this medication could cause birth defects, so you should not become pregnant or father a child while on this medication. Effective birth control is necessary during treatment and for at least 1 week after treatment, even if your menstrual cycle stops or you believe you are not producing sperm. You should not breastfeed while receiving this medication or for 1 week after your last dose.