Understanding the Safety of AYVAKIT® (avapritinib)
Patient Portrayal
Patient Portrayal
Understanding the Safety of AYVAKIT® (avapritinib)
AYVAKIT may cause serious side effects, including:
Cognitive effects:
Cognitive side effects can happen during treatment with AYVAKIT and can be severe. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening cognitive symptoms including forgetfulness, confusion, getting lost, trouble thinking, drowsiness, trouble staying awake (somnolence), word-finding problems, seeing objects or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations), or a change in mood or behavior.
Skin sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity):
Your skin may be sensitive to the sun or other forms of light (photosensitivity) during treatment with AYVAKIT. Avoid or limit exposure to direct sunlight, sunlamps, and other sources of ultraviolet radiation during treatment and for 1 week after stopping treatment with AYVAKIT. Use sunscreen or wear clothes that cover your skin if you need to be out in the sun.
Other side effects of AYVAKIT for ISM:
The most common side effects of AYVAKIT in people with ISM include: swelling around your eyes, dizziness, swelling of your arms and legs, and flushing.
Before taking AYVAKIT, tell your doctor:
- All your medical conditions, including if you have a history of bulging or weakening of a blood vessel wall (aneurysm) or bleeding in your brain, history of stroke within the last year, or have low platelet counts
- All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take estrogen-containing hormonal birth control (contraception) or medicines that prevent blood clots.
- If you have or have had liver problems
- If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
These are not all the possible side effects of AYVAKIT. Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop, or permanently stop treatment with certain side effects. Talk to your doctor about the potential side effects of AYVAKIT.