Idhifa

Idhifa is a prescription medication used to treat a certain type of acute myeloid leukemia (a type of white blood cells cancer). Swallow tablets whole, do not chew or split the tablets.

Idhifa Overview

Reviewed: November 8, 2017
Updated: 

Idhifa is a prescription medication used to treat a certain type of acute myeloid leukemia (AML; a type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells) that has worsened or come back after treatment with other chemotherapy medications.

Idhifa belongs to the class of medications called an isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2) inhibitor. They work by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

This medication comes in a tablet form and is taken typically once daily with or without food.

Common side effects of Idhifa include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

 

How was your experience with ?

First, a little about yourself

Tell us about yourself in a few words?

What tips would you provide a friend before taking ?

What are you taking for?

Choose one
  • Other

How long have you been taking it?

Choose one
  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend to a friend?

Idhifa Cautionary Labels

precautionsprecautionsprecautionsprecautionsprecautionsprecautionsprecautionsprecautions

Uses of Idhifa

Idhifa is a prescription medication used to treat a certain type of acute myeloid leukemia (AML; a type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells) that has worsened or come back after treatment with other chemotherapy medications.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Idhifa

Serious side effects have been reported with Idhifa. See the “Idhifa Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Idhifa include the following:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • jaundice (yellowing of skin or the whites of your eyes due to increased bilirubin)
  • decreased appetite

This is not a complete list of Idhifa side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

 

Idhifa Interactions

No drug interactions have been evaluated by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Idhifa Precautions

Serious side effects have been reported with Idhifa including the following:

  • Differentiation syndrome. Differentiation syndrome is a condition that affects your blood cells and may be life-threatening or lead to death if not treated. Differentiation syndrome might happen within 10 days and up to 5 months after starting Idhifa. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of differentiation syndrome while taking Idhifa: 
    • fever
    • cough
    • shortness of breath
    • swelling of arms and legs
    • swelling around neck, groin, or underarm area
    • fast weight gain (greater than 10 pounds within a week)
    • bone pain
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity. Idhifa may cause harm to unborn babies. 
    • Females who are able to become pregnant and who take Idhifa should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with Idhifa and for at least 1 month after your last dose of Idhifa. 
    • Males who have female partners that are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with Idhifa and for at least 1 month after your last dose of Idhifa.
    • Idhifa may affect how hormonal contraceptives work and may cause them to not work as well. 
    • Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that may be right for you while taking Idhifa.
  • Tumor lysis syndrome. Idhifa may cause a life-threatening condition when destroyed cancer cells release large amounts of chemicals into blood. Drink lots of fluids to prevent tumor lysis syndrome. Your doctor will monitor your blood chemicals.
  • Gastrointestinal adverse reactions (digestion problems). You might experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and/or decreased appetite with Idhifa. Talk to your healthcare provider how to manage these side effects.
  • Elevated blood bilirubin.  Idhifa may cause elevated blood bilirubin by the way it works and not due to liver damage. Report any changes of your skin color or the whites of your eyes to your healthcare provider.

Idhifa Food Interactions

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Idhifa, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

 

Inform MD

Before taking Ifhifa, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

  • are allergic to Idhifa or to any of its ingredients
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

 

Idhifa and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems including fetal death. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Idhifa should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

 

 

 

 

Idhifa and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Idhifa crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Idhifa. The manufacturer recommends not breastfeeding while taking Idhifa and for at least one month after the final dose. 

 

Idhifa Usage

Take Idhifa exactly as prescribed.

Idhifa comes in a tablet form and is taken once daily with or without food.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Idhifa at the same time.

Follow the following recommendations when taking Idhifa:

  • Take Idhifa one time a day at the same time each day
  • Swallow Idhifa tablets whole. Do not chew or split the tablet
  • Take Idhifa with 8 ounces (one cup) of water
  • Idhifa can be taken with or without food

 

 

Idhifa Dosage

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

  • the condition being treated
  • other medical conditions you have
  • other medications you are taking
  • how you respond to this medication

The recommended dose of Idhifa is 100 mg taken by mouth once daily until disease progression or intolerable toxicity develops.

    Idhifa Overdose

    If you take too much Idhifa, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

     

    Other Requirements

    • Store Idhifa at room temperature from 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
    • Keep Idhifa in the original container.
    • Keep the container tightly closed with desiccant canister inside to protect the tablets from moisture.
    • Keep Idhifa and all medicines out of the reach of children.

    Idhifa FDA Warning

    Warning: Differentiation Syndrome (a life-threatening condition that affects blood cells)

    Idhifa may cause a serious group of symptoms called differentiation syndrome. Your doctor will monitor you carefully to see whether you are developing this syndrome. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: fever, sudden weight gain, swelling of your arms, legs, neck, groin, or underarm area, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, cough, or bone pain. At the first sign that you are developing differentiation syndrome, your doctor will prescribe medications to treat the syndrome, and may tell you to stop taking Idhifa for some time.

    Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with Idhifa and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.