belinostat 500 mg intravenous solution

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Medication name

Generic name:
Belinostat - injection

Pronunciation
(be-LIN-oh-stat)

Brand name(s)
Beleodaq

Uses

Belinostat is used to treat a certain type of cancer (peripheral T-cell lymphoma - PTCL). Belinostat works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

How to use

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using belinostat and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is given by a health care professional in a clinic or hospital. It is injected into a vein as directed by your doctor, usually once a day on days 1 through 5 of a 21-day treatment cycle. The injection is given slowly, usually over 30 minutes. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you notice redness, pain, or swelling during your injection. If you have side effects during the injection, your infusion may be given over a longer time, changed, or temporarily stopped.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, body size, lab tests, and response to treatment.

To get the most benefit from this medication, do not miss any doses. To help you remember, mark the days when you are scheduled to receive treatment on your calendar.

Side effects

See also How to Use section.

Tell your doctor if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Your doctor may prescribe medications to prevent or relieve these symptoms. Eating several small meals, not eating before treatment, or limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. Tiredness, headache, constipation, decreased appetite, or dizziness may also occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

People using this medication may have serious side effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

  • easy bleeding/bruising
  • swelling hands/ankles/feet
  • symptoms of anemia (such as severe tiredness, pale skin, shortness of breath)

This medication may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills, cough).

Belinostat may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage, including:

  • nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
  • loss of appetite
  • stomach/abdominal pain
  • yellowing eyes/skin
  • dark urine

Belinostat sometimes causes side effects due to the rapid destruction of cancer cells (tumor lysis syndrome). To lower your risk, your doctor may add a medication and tell you to drink plenty of fluids. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as:

  • low back/side pain (flank pain)
  • signs of kidney problems (such as painful urination, pink/bloody urine, change in the amount of urine)
  • muscle spasms/weakness

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

  • rash
  • itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
  • severe dizziness
  • trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before using belinostat, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

  • current/recent/past infections (such as flu, tuberculosis)
  • kidney disease
  • liver problems

Belinostat can make you more likely to get infections or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles, flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.

Tell your health care professional that you are using belinostat before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports.

This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using belinostat. Belinostat may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor should order a pregnancy test before you start this medication. Women using this medication should ask about reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for 6 months after the last dose. Men using this medication should ask about reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose. If you or your partner becomes pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended while using this drug and for 2 weeks after the last dose. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood counts, kidney/liver function) should be done before you start using this medication and while you are using it. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed dose

It is important to get each dose of this medication as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule.

Storage

Not applicable. This medication is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

Medical alert

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Important note

HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

Information last revised October 2023.

Selected from NATIONAL DRUG DATA FILE (NDDF) data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc., 2019. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider.

The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your health care professional. You should consult your health care professional before taking any drug, changing your diet, or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.