Cost, effects, applications, dosage information, and additional details regarding Voranigo (drug)
Brand-name Pill Voranigo
Voranigo, a specific oral tablet, is designed to combat select brain tumors. This medication contains the active component vorasidenib [1].
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized Voranigo as a treatment option for grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas in adults and adolescents who are 12 years or older [2]. This medication is utilized in specific situations to address these types of brain tumors [2]. For more information, see the "Voranigo Uses" section below.
Key Details
- Classification: Voranigo belongs to the category of isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 and isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 inhibitors, a type of targeted cancer treatment [1].
- Generic Availability: Currently, there's no generic version of Voranigo available [1].
- Prescription Requirement: Yes, you need a prescription to obtain Voranigo [1].
- Controlled Substance: No, Voranigo is not a controlled substance [1].
Generic Voranigo
Only Voranigo exists as a brand-name pill. For now, it isn't accessible in generic form [1].
A generic drug is a replica of the active ingredient found in a brand-name medication. Generics generally cost less than brand-name versions.
Cost and Coupons for Voranigo
The price of Voranigo can vary based on several factors, including your insurance coverage, location, and pharmacy [2].
Financial Assistance: If you need help paying for Voranigo or require assistance understanding your insurance, aid is available. The advocacy program named ServierONE offers assistance, such as copay cards. For more information and eligibility details, call 800-813-5905 or visit the program website [2].
Side Effects of Voranigo
Voranigo might result in mild or severe side effects [2]. The following are some of the primary side effects that may arise while taking Voranigo; however, these lists do not provide an exhaustive explanation of all possible side effects.
For a more comprehensive understanding of potential side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Mild Side Effects:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Reduced appetite
- Muscle or joint pain
- COVID-19
- Decreased white blood cell count
- Increased liver enzymes
Most of these side effects may subside within a couple of days to a few weeks. In case they become more severe or persist, contact your doctor or pharmacist [2].
Serious Side Effects:
Severe side effects from Voranigo aren't frequent, but they can occur. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects. Dial 911 or your local emergency number in case your symptoms appear life-threatening or if you believe you're experiencing a medical emergency [2].
Serious side effects and symptoms:
- Liver problems:
- Pain in the upper right abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Severe tiredness or weakness
- Dark urine
- Jaundice
- Seizures:
- Staring into space
- Rapid blinking
- Sudden stiffening of your arms and body
- Jerking body movements
- Loss of consciousness
ALLERGIC REACTION:In certain cases, Voranigo may lead to an allergic reaction. However, this side effect wasn't reported during the drug's studies [2].
In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction may be mild or severe.
Ways to manage
For mild allergic symptoms, such as a rash, consult your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They'll also let you know whether you should continue taking the medication [2].
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms necessitate immediate medical attention because they can become life threatening. If you've had a serious allergic reaction to Voranigo, your doctor may suggest an alternative medication [2].
Uses of Voranigo
Voranigo for Specific Brain Tumors
Voranigo has been approved by the FDA to treat certain brain tumors in adults and adolescents who are 12 years or older [2].
Specifically, it's authorized for grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas [2]. These tumors belong to a group of brain tumors called gliomas. Astrocytomas begin in brain cells called astrocytes while oligodendrogliomas begin in brain cells called oligodendrocytes. These cells have different functions in your brain [2].
Brain tumors are graded from 1 to 4 based on how quickly they are likely to grow and spread [2]. Grade 2 brain tumors are slow-growing, but they can spread into nearby brain tissue [2].
Voranigo is approved for grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas that exhibit a specific genetic mutation (an abnormal change in a gene) [2]. Voranigo is approved for tumors that have an isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) or isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2) mutation. Your doctor will likely perform a biopsy to check if cells from the tumor have this mutation prior to prescribing Voranigo [2].
Symptoms of grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas can include:
- Headaches, especially headaches that are worse in the morning
- Nausea and vomiting
- Problems with vision, hearing, or speech
- Balance problems
- Weakness or numbness on one side of your body
- Changes in personality or behavior
- Seizures [2]
Voranigo is a targeted cancer therapy that helps prevent the brain tumor from growing and getting worse [2]. For this purpose, Voranigo is prescribed after you've had a biopsy or surgery to remove all or part of the tumor [2].
Voranigo and Children
less than 40 kg (about 88 pounds [lb])
Voranigo is FDA-approved for use in adolescents who are 12 years or older to treat grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas with a specific genetic mutation [2].
Voranigo hasn't been studied in children younger than 12 years old [2]. It's not known whether the drug is safe or effective in this age group [2].
Dosage of Voranigo
The dosage of Voranigo your doctor prescribes will depend on various factors, including your age, weight, and whether you experience certain side effects with Voranigo [2].
The following information provides details about commonly-used or recommended dosages [2]. However, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.
Drug Forms and Strengths
Voranigo is available as an oral tablet and comes in two strengths: 10 milligrams (mg) and 40 mg [2].
20 mg once per day
Dosage for Specific Brain Tumors
Voranigo is used to treat certain brain tumors called astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas [2].
The recommended dosage for adults is 40 mg per day [2].
Dosage for Children
Voranigo is used to treat astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas in children who are 12 years or older [2].
The dosage for children depends on the child's body weight, as shown below [2]:
| Child's weight in kilograms (kg) | Dosage || --- | --- || Less than 40 kg (approximately 88 pounds [lb]) | 20 mg per day || 40 kg or more | 40 mg per day |
Taking Voranigo
Find crucial details about dosage considerations here:
- When to take: Take Voranigo once per day. Try to stick to the same time each day. Taking the medication around the same time helps maintain a consistent level of the drug in your body [2].
- Missed Dose: If you miss a dose and it's been 6 hours or less since the dose was due, take the missed dose as soon as possible. Then take your next dose at your usual time. If it's been more than 6 hours since the dose was due, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your usual time. Don't take two doses together or any extra doses to make up for missing doses. This can increase the risk of side effects [2].
- Taking Voranigo with food: Voranigo can be taken with or without food [2].
- Crushing, splitting, or chewing Voranigo: Swallow Voranigo tablets whole with a glass of water. Don't crush, split, or chew the tablets [2]. If you have trouble swallowing the tablets, consult your doctor or pharmacist [2].
- Duration of Treatment: Voranigo is intended to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Voranigo is safe and effective for you, you'll likely take it long term [2].
- Time to Work: Voranigo starts working as soon as you start taking it, but you might not notice it working [2].
Overdose
Don't take more Voranigo than your doctor recommends. Taking excessive amounts may lead to unwanted side effects or an overdose [2].
What to do in case you take too much Voranigo
If you think you've taken too much of this drug, contact your doctor. You can also contact America's Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
40 kg or more
Interactions with Voranigo
Voranigo can interact with several other medications [2].
Before taking Voranigo, discuss all your current medications, including vitamins, herbs, and supplements with your doctor and pharmacist. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions [2].
Interactions with Medications, Foods, and Supplements
The following medications, supplements, and foods can interact with Voranigo [2]:
- Medications that can interact with Voranigo:
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
- Cyclosporine (Neoral, others)
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
- Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimatane)
- Hormonal forms of birth control, such as the combined pill, minipill, or patch
Alcohol Interaction
40 mg once per day
It may not be safe to consume alcohol while taking Voranigo. Alcohol and Voranigo can lead to similar side effects, such as headache, nausea, diarrhea, and liver problems. If you have questions about the safety of drinking alcohol while taking Voranigo, consult your doctor or pharmacist [2].
Alternatives
Other treatments for brain tumors are available that can address your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you're interested in finding an alternative to Voranigo, speak with your doctor. They can inform you about other treatments that may work well for you [2].
The following treatments are alternatives to Voranigo:
- Chemotherapy with drugs such as:
- PCV combination regimen (procarbazine, lomustine [CCNU], and vincristine)
- Temozolomide
- Radiation therapy
Things to Consider When Taking Voranigo
Consider the following information about pregnancy, fertility, birth control, and breastfeeding when taking Voranigo [2]:
Voranigo and Pregnancy
Voranigo can cause fetal harm and shouldn't be taken during pregnancy. If you're pregnant, talk with your doctor about your treatment options [2].
If you're planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, consult your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor will likely suggest birth control options to use during Voranigo treatment [2].
Voranigo and Fertility
Voranigo can reduce fertility in both males and females who take the medication [2]. If you want to have children in the future, talk with your doctor about your options before starting Voranigo treatment [2].
Voranigo and Birth Control
Voranigo is not safe to take during pregnancy [2]. If you're sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control options during Voranigo treatment [2].
For females taking Voranigo:
If you can become pregnant, you should use a nonhormonal form of birth control, such as condoms, while taking Voranigo and for 3 months following your last dose. Voranigo can make some forms of hormonal birth control, such as the pill, less effective at preventing pregnancy [2].
For males taking Voranigo:
If you have a sexual partner who can become pregnant, use an effective form of birth control while taking Voranigo and for 3 months following your last dose [2].
Voranigo and Breastfeeding
Voranigo should not be taken while breastfeeding [2]. If you're currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, consult your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest a different treatment for your condition or recommend other ways to feed a child who is breastfed [2].
How Voranigo Works
Voranigo is used to treat certain brain tumors called grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas [2]. It's employed for tumors of this type that have a specific genetic mutation [2].
A genetic mutation is an abnormal alteration in a gene [2]. A gene is a piece of DNA that carries instructions for producing particular proteins [2]. When a cell has a mutated gene, it leads to the production of abnormal versions of a particular protein [2].
Voranigo is approved for tumors that have a mutation in the gene for isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) or isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2). IDH1 and IDH2 are enzymes (a type of protein) that help cells produce energy [2]. When the gene for these enzymes is mutated, the enzymes don't function correctly [2].
What Voranigo Does
Voranigo works by blocking the action of abnormal IDH1 and IDH2 enzymes in brain tumor cells [2]. This slows down the growth of the tumor cells, preventing the brain tumor from growing and becoming worse [2].
Common Questions about Voranigo
Find answers to some frequently asked questions about Voranigo [2]:
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro)• cyclosporine (Neoral, others)• fluvoxamine (Luvox)• phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimatane)• hormonal forms of birth control, such as the combined pill, minipill, or patch
Can Voranigo be used for glioblastoma?
Voranigo is not approved for the treatment of glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is a particularly aggressive and rapidly growing type of brain tumor that's also known as a grade 4 astrocytoma [2].
Voranigo is authorized to treat only grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas [2]. It's approved for tumors of this type that have a specific genetic mutation [2].
Some glioblastomas may exhibit the same genetic mutation that Voranigo targets. However, Voranigo hasn't been studied for glioblastoma. It's not known whether this drug is effective for this type of brain tumor [2].
If you're interested in taking Voranigo for glioblastoma, talk with your doctor [2].
- Voranigo, a targeted cancer treatment, is utilized to combat select brain tumors, particularly grade 2 astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas.
- These brain tumors exhibit a specific genetic mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) or isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2), a type of mutation that Voranigo is designed to address.
- Voranigo belongs to the category of isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 and isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 inhibitors, a class of medications used to combat certain medical-conditions such as cancer.
- While Voranigo can help manage other brain disorders, it is primarily used to treat these specific types of brain tumors.
- In order to use Voranigo, one must have a prescription and consult with a pharmacist or healthcare professional regarding potential drug interactions, side effects, and proper dosage.
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