Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer); chemotherapy
Generic and brand names: vandetanib, oral
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat medullary thyroid cancer that is growing and cannot be treated by surgery.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Also, tell your healthcare provider if you have recently had bleeding problems or diarrhea.
Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine and for at least 4 months after stopping this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about effective birth control methods. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or for longer than prescribed. Taking too much increases the risk of serious side effects. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not split, crush, or chew them. If crushed tablets or powder come in contact with your skin, wash your skin with water right away.
If you have trouble swallowing the tablets, you can dissolve the tablet in half of a glass of non-carbonated water. Mix the medicine well and make sure that you take the full dose.
If you miss a dose, and it is more than 12 hours until the next scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: severe diarrhea, rash, irregular heartbeat.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you feel faint, lightheaded, or if your heartbeat is irregular while taking this medicine. These may be signs of a condition called long QT syndrome that may cause death.
You need to have regular exams and blood tests to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for tests.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine and for 4 months after you stop taking it, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.
This medicine may make you feel tired, weak, or cause blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and can see clearly.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe or worsening diarrhea; severe nausea or vomiting; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body); sudden confusion or trouble speaking; sudden trouble walking or severe dizziness; sudden or severe headache; trouble urinating; decreased urination; fever; chills; itching; blisters or sores in your mouth; severe stomach pain; chest pain; irregular heartbeat; fainting; shortness of breath; cough; seizures; trouble thinking or concentrating; vision changes; skin rash or acne; dry skin; blistered or peeling skin; redness or swelling of your face, hands, or soles of your feet; muscles or joint aches; unusual swelling in hands or feet.
Other: diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, gas, weight loss, headache, tiredness, sensitivity to sun, trouble sleeping, stuffy or runny nose, depression.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
