Piqray (Alpelisib)

Piqray is used to treat hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HR+/HER2-), PIK3CA-mutated, advanced or metastatic breast cancer, which has spread to other parts of the body, in postmenopausal women and in men. Alpelisib, the medicinal ingredient in Piqray, is a type of drug called a kinase inhibitor. It works by stopping certain cancer cells from dividing and growing. When given together with fulvestrant, Piqray may slow down the growth and spread of certain breast cancer cells. Take Piqray exactly as your healthcare professional tells you. Take Piqray as directed by your doctor. Swallow Piqray tablets whole. Do not chew, crush or split the tablets. Do not take Piqray tablets that are broken, cracked or look damaged. If you vomit after taking a dose of Piqray, do not take another dose on that day. Take your next dose at your regular time. Children under 18 years old should not be given Piqray. Adults 65 years and older might get more certain side effects like diarrhea, nausea, weight loss, shortness of breath, low potassium and high blood sugar levels.

Manufacturer Information

The common side effects of Piqray may include headache, tiredness, difficulty to sleep, changes in the way food tastes, decreased appetite, indigestion, toothache, gum pain, cracked, chapped lips, dry, cracked skin, blurred vision, dry eyes, muscle pain, hair loss.

Talk to your doctor right away if you have any of the serious side effects such as:

• Acute kidney injury;
• Allergic skin reaction;
• Anaemia;
• Dehydration;
• Gastrointestinal disorders;
• High blood sugar Infection in the urinary system;
• High blood pressure;
• Lung inflammation;
• Low platelet count;
• Mouth sores;

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Please call your doctor if you have any further concerns or questions.

Do not use Piqray if you are allergic to alpelisib or to any of the other ingredients in this drug, are pregnant or breast feeding. To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Piqray about any health conditions you may have, including if you have or ever had diabetes, have or ever had serious skin problems like a type of severe skin rash, a type of serious skin reaction that may affect one or more organs, allergic skin reaction, have or ever had osteonecrosis of the jaw (exposed jaw bone).

Taking Piqray can cause severe diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, serious allergic reaction and lung problems (pneumonitis) such as shortness of breath or trouble breathing, cough or chest pain. Stop taking the drug and get medical help right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms. Avoid becoming pregnant while taking Piqray.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines. The following may interact with Piqray: eltrombopag - used to treat low blood platelet count, lapatinib - used to treat certain types of breast cancers, pantoprazole - used to reduce the amount of acid produced in your stomach or heart burn, ranitidine – used to treat heartburn, cyclosporine – used to prevent organ transplant rejection, rifampin - used to treat lung disease, warfarin - used to treat blood clots, medicines that can increase QT interval (a heart rhythm condition).

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