Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Do not change your dose or stop using this medicine without first asking your doctor.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Take this medicine with food and water at the same time each day. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

Drink plenty of water each day to help prevent an unwanted effect called tumor lysis syndrome. Your doctor may also give medicine to decrease uric acid in the blood (eg, allopurinol).

Do not eat or drink grapefruit products, starfruit, or Seville oranges with this medicine.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For acute myeloid leukemia:
      • Adults—At first, 100 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor will gradually increase your dose each week. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day when given with azacitidine or decitabine or not more than 600 mg per day when given with low-dose cytarabine.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma:
      • Adults—At first, 20 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor will gradually increase your dose each week for 5 weeks (ramp-up). However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you miss a dose and it is 8 hours or less after your normal time, take it as soon as you can and continue with your regular schedule. If it is more than 8 hours after your normal time, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule.

If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take an extra dose. Take the next dose at the usual time the following day.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep the tablets in the original package during the first 4 weeks of treatment. Do not transfer the medicine to a pillbox or another container.

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Portions of this document last updated: May 01, 2024

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