What Is Caprelsa Used For?

Caprelsa contains the active ingredient vandetanib and belongs to a group of medicines called antineoplastics. It is specifically designed to treat a particular type of thyroid cancer.

Primary Uses

Caprelsa is used to treat medullary thyroid cancer, a type of cancer that develops in the thyroid gland (located in the throat near the windpipe). It is generally prescribed when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

How It Works

Caprelsa works by slowing down the growth of new blood vessels in tumors, which cuts off the supply of food and oxygen to the cancer. It may also act directly on cancer cells to kill them or slow down their growth.

How to Take Caprelsa

Follow all directions given by your doctor or pharmacist carefully, as they may differ from general information. Take Caprelsa at about the same time each day for the best effect.

Dosage Instructions

The usual dose is 300 mg once a day (taken as three 100 mg tablets). If you have kidney problems, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of 200 mg once a day. Your doctor may also reduce your dose to 200 mg or 100 mg daily if you experience certain side effects. Swallow tablets whole, or if you have trouble swallowing, you can mix the tablet with half a glass (50 mL) of still water, stir until dispersed (about 10 minutes), drink immediately, then rinse the glass with another half glass of water and drink that too. It doesn’t matter if you take this medicine before or after food.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If it is less than 12 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• Mild to moderate diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Dehydration
• Abdominal pain
• Skin rash/acne including hand and foot rash
• Dry or itching skin
• Skin sensitivity to sunlight
• Impaired wound healing
• Muscle weakness/loss of energy
• Headache and nose bleeds
• Blurred vision, dry eye, eye irritation
• Blood in urine
• Tiredness, fatigue, trouble sleeping
• Dry mouth, mouth ulcers, taste changes
• Hair loss or thinning, nail problems
• Depression

Important Warnings

There are several important conditions and situations where Caprelsa should not be used or requires special caution.

Who Should Not Take Caprelsa

Do not use Caprelsa if you are allergic to vandetanib or any ingredients listed, if you have a heart disorder you were born with called ‘congenital long QT syndrome’ (seen on an ECG), or if you are under 18 years old (safety and effectiveness in children has not been established).

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Check with your doctor if you have allergies to other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes; heart or blood pressure problems; kidney or liver problems; an aneurysm or tear in a blood vessel wall; plan to have surgery (Caprelsa may affect wound healing); take medicines for osteoporosis or any other conditions.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Caprelsa may harm an unborn child. If you are pregnant, you should not take Caprelsa. Women at risk of becoming pregnant must use effective contraception during treatment and for at least four months after the last dose. Fertile men must also use effective contraception during treatment and for at least four months after the last dose. For breastfeeding mothers, you should discontinue breast-feeding during treatment with Caprelsa for the safety of your baby.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Caprelsa and affect how it works, and some medicines may be affected by Caprelsa. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.

• Medicines used to treat infections (itraconazole, ketoconazole, ritonavir, clarithromycin, rifampicin)
• Medicines used to control seizures (carbamazepine, phenobarbital)
• Ondansetron (for nausea and vomiting)
• Medicines used to treat mental illness (haloperidol, chlorpromazine)
• Vitamin K antagonists and dabigatran (blood thinners)
• Cyclosporin and tacrolimus (for transplant rejection)
• Digoxin (for heart problems)
• Metformin (for blood sugar control)
• Medicines used to treat heartburn (cisapride, proton pump inhibitors)

Alcohol & Driving

Caprelsa may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, and you should discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor.

Alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol, as this may interact with your treatment.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Caprelsa affects you. This medicine may cause tiredness, weakness and blurred vision in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Storage

Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them. Store in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it. If you no longer need the medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.

Overdose Information

If you think you have used too much Caprelsa, you may need urgent medical attention. Symptoms of overdose may include increased frequency or severity of side effects such as rash, diarrhea, high blood pressure (headaches, dizziness, nose bleeds), and heart effects (racing heart, possible loss of consciousness). Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

Frequently Asked Questions