fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor and systemic haemostatic agent
Licensed use
Refractory chronic immune thrombocytopenia in adults
How it is taken
Swallow the film-coated tablets whole, with or without food; food may help with stomach upset
Key monitoring
Platelet count, blood pressure, liver function and neutrophil count
What is fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate used for?
The licensed indication is:
Chronic immune thrombocytopenia in adults whose condition is refractory to other treatments.
How does fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate work?
It is converted in the body to R406, which inhibits spleen tyrosine kinase. This interrupts signalling from antibody-activated immune receptors, reducing immune-cell destruction of antibody-coated platelets and allowing platelet counts to rise in some patients.
fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 100 mg
How to take fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate
Follow the individual instructions from the specialist team.
Swallow tablets whole with water.
They may be taken with or without food; take with food if stomach upset occurs.
If vomiting occurs after taking a tablet, do not take another tablet to replace it.
Do not stop treatment without speaking to the specialist team.
fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea or frequent bowel movements
- High blood pressure
- Abnormal liver-function blood tests
- Dizziness
- Reduced neutrophil count
- Abdominal pain
- Tiredness, headache or flu-like symptoms
- Upper respiratory infections, bronchitis or rash
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe hypertension or hypertensive crisis, possibly causing headache, confusion, dizziness, chest pain or breathlessness
- Liver injury, possibly causing jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal swelling or persistent nausea
- Severe diarrhoea causing dehydration
- Neutropenia with fever or serious infection
- Pneumonia, with breathlessness, chest pain or discoloured phlegm
fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate in pregnancy
Contraindicated during pregnancy because animal findings and its mechanism indicate a risk of fetal harm. People who could become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least one month after the last tablet, and contact their prescriber immediately if pregnancy occurs.
fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether fostamatinib or its metabolites enter human milk, and harm to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. Breastfeeding should stop during treatment and for at least one month after the last tablet; discuss feeding options with the specialist team.
fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate interactions
A medication review is important before treatment and whenever another medicine is started or stopped.
Rifampicin and other strong CYP3A4 inducers
They substantially reduce exposure to active R406 and may reduce effectiveness, so combined use is not recommended.
Ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir-containing treatments and other strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
They increase R406 exposure and may increase toxicity, requiring closer monitoring and specialist management.
Common questions about fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is it used for?
It is licensed for adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenia when other treatments have not worked adequately.
Can it be taken with food?
Yes. The tablets may be taken with or without food; food may help with stomach upset.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.