Generic name:vandetanib [ van-DET-a-nib ]
Drug classes:EGFR inhibitors, Multikinase inhibitors, VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors
What is Caprelsa?
Caprelsa is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Caprelsa is used in adults to treat thyroid cancer.
Caprelsa is available only from a certified pharmacy under a special program called Caprelsa REMS Program. You must be registered in the program and understand the risks of taking this medicine.
Warnings
Do not use Caprelsa if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
You should not use this medicine if you have severe liver disease, a personal or family history of long QT syndrome, or if you have low blood levels of calcium, potassium, or magnesium.
You will need medical tests every 2 weeks to 3 months.
Call your doctor right away if you have a headache with chest pain and sudden dizziness, fainting, and fast or pounding heartbeats.
There are many other drugs that can interact with vandetanib. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. To be sure Caprelsa is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Your heart rate may also need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Caprelsa. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor tells you to. If you stop taking Caprelsa for longer than 2 weeks for any reason, do not start taking it again without your doctor's advice.
