Ninlaro Dosage Information: Formulations, Strengths, Administration Method, and Additional Details
Ninlaro, a prescription drug, plays a significant role in the treatment of multiple myeloma in certain adults. The active ingredient in Ninlaro is ixazomib, a member of the proteasome inhibitor class of drugs.
Ninlaro is available as an oral capsule and should be swallowed whole with water, without being crushed, chewed, or opened. It's important to note that Ninlaro should not be taken with food. Instead, it should be taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
The recommended dosage for Ninlaro is 4 mg orally once weekly on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. This treatment is typically administered in combination with lenalidomide (Revlimid) and dexamethasone (Hemady). Dose adjustments may be necessary based on patient tolerance and concurrent therapies.
Common side effects of Ninlaro include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy (tingling or numbness in hands/feet), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), neutropenia (low white blood cells), rash, and an increased risk of infections.
Serious but less common adverse reactions include severe thrombocytopenia, neuropathy, and potential cardiac effects. It's crucial to monitor for these side effects and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of an overdose occur, which may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, aspiration pneumonia, and failure of multiple organs. An overdose of Ninlaro can, in rare cases, cause death.
Important drug interactions can occur with strong CYP3A inhibitors or inducers, which can affect ixazomib metabolism. Concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors may increase ixazomib exposure and toxicity, so dose reductions may be necessary. Careful monitoring is also required when using blood thinners or drugs affecting platelet function or counts due to the increased bleeding risk.
Ninlaro is usually a long-term treatment, taken on the same day each week and at about the same time of day. If a dose is missed, it should only be taken if the next scheduled dose is 72 hours or more away. If less than 72 hours from the next dose, the missed dose should be skipped, and the next dose should be taken at its usual time.
It's essential to discuss any concerns or difficulties with the medication, such as trouble swallowing the capsules, with a doctor or pharmacist. There is currently no generic version of Ninlaro available.
This article aligns with the FDA-approved prescribing information and clinical guidelines for managing multiple myeloma therapies. For those who may have trouble reading their prescription label, there are options available such as labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech.
[1] FDA-approved prescribing information for Ninlaro (ixazomib) capsules. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/208528s000lbl.pdf
[4] National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Multiple Myeloma. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/multiple-myeloma/index.html
- Ninlaro, used in the treatment of multiple myeloma, is a prescription drug that contains the active ingredient ixazomib, a proteasome inhibitor.
- Cancer patients undergoing multiple myeloma therapy may encounter blood-related medical conditions such as thrombocytopenia and neutropenia as side effects of Ninlaro.
- The pharmaceutical industry offers health and wellness solutions through the development of drugs like Ninlaro, which play a significant role in oncology, the branch of science focused on cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- In oncology, Ninlaro is typically administered in combination with other drugs such as lenalidomide (Revlimid) and dexamethasone (Hemady), and dose adjustments may be necessary based on a patient's health status and concurrent therapies.
- It is crucial for patients receiving Ninlaro treatment to be aware of potential medication interactions, especially with strong CYP3A inhibitors or inducers, which can impact ixazomib metabolism and increase the risk of toxicity.
