Vandetanib oral tablets

What is this medicine?

VANDETANIB (van DET a nib) is a medicine for certain types of thyroid cancer.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not cut, crush, or chew this medicine. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• bloody or black, tarry stools

• breathing problems

• changes in vision

• chest pain or palpitations

• confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

• cough

• diarrhea

• fast, irregular heartbeat

• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• fever, chills, or sore throat

• high blood pressure

• light-colored stools

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• red or dark-brown urine

• red spots on the skin

• seizures

• severe headaches

• shakiness

• spitting up blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds

• sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or legs

• swelling of the legs or ankles

• trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• unusually weak or tired

• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• loss of appetite

• nausea

• stomach pain

• tiredness

• trouble sleeping

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• cisapride

• dronedarone

• pimozide

• thioridazine

• ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• certain medicines for irregular heart beat like amiodarone, disopyramide, ibutilide, procainamide, propafenone, quinidine, sotalol

• certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin

• digoxin

• enzalutamide

• metformin

• mitotane

• other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm) like dofetilide, ziprasidone

• rifampin

• St. John's Wort, Hypericum perforatum

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If your next dose is to be taken in less than 12 hours, then do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• bleeding disorders

• diarrhea

• heart disease

• high blood pressure

• high levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood

• history of irregular heartbeat

• history of low levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium in the blood

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• lung or breathing disease, like asthma

• recent or planning to have surgery

• seizures

• skin conditions or sensitivity

• an unusual or allergic reaction to vandetanib, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional right away if you have any change in your eyesight.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine. If you get diarrhea, call your doctor. You may need to have your blood work checked.

Your doctor will monitor your heart while you are taking this medicine. Be sure to keep your appointments.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should use effective birth control while taking this medicine and for 4 months after stopping it. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine and for 4 months after stopping it.

Before having surgery, talk to your health care provider to make sure it is ok. This drug can increase the risk of poor healing of your surgical site or wound. You will need to stop this drug for 1 month before surgery. After surgery, wait at least 2 weeks before restarting this drug. Make sure the surgical site or wound is healed enough before restarting this drug. Talk to your health care provider if questions.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun while taking this medicine and for 4 months after stopping it. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you.