Farydak

Generic name:panobinostat [ PAN-oh-BIN-oh-stat ]
Drug class:Histone deacetylase inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jun 9, 2021.

What is Farydak?

Farydak is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Farydak is used in combination with other drugs to treat multiple myeloma in adults who have received at least two other types of treatment.

Farydak was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on an "accelerated" basis. In clinical studies, the medicine slowed progression of the disease. However, it has not been shown that Farydak can improve symptoms or lengthen survival time.

Warnings

Farydak can cause serious or fatal heart problems. Get medical attention if you have chest pain, fast or slow heartbeats, dizziness or fainting, swelling in your legs, blue lips, or shortness of breath.

Farydak can cause severe diarrhea. Call your doctor if you have severe diarrhea or stomach cramps, or if you get dehydrated (increased thirst, decreased urination, sweating or hot and dry skin).

Tell your doctor right away if you have any bleeding that will not stop, blood in your urine or stools, dizziness, confusion, vomiting or coughing up blood.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor if you are sick with diarrhea, or if you've ever had:

• heart problems, such as long QT syndrome;

• any type of infection;

• bleeding problems; or

• liver disease.

Panobinostat can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using this medicine.

• If you are a woman, you may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 3 months after your last dose.

• If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 6 months after your last dose.

• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Farydak.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Farydak is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take Farydak?

Take Farydak exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Farydak is usually taken 3 times per week until your doctor tells you to stop the medicine.

Take wit...