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Medications for Low-Grade Glioma

Low-grade gliomas are slow-growing tumors brain tumors that originate from glial cells.

Gliomas are classified according to their location and grade. 

There are three types of glial cells:

  • astrocytes (tumors in these cells are called astrocytoma or glioblastoma)
  • oligodendrocytes (tumors in these cells are called oligodendrogliomas)
  • ependymal cells (tumors in these cells are called ependymomas)

Low-grade gliomas are slow growing (grade 1 and grade 2) and are more common in children and young adults. High-grade gliomas are fast growing (grade 3 and grade 4) and are more common in older adults.

Low-grade glioma is the most common pediatric brain cancer. As the glioma grows, it can put pressure on healthy parts of the brain and affect brain functioning.

Common symptoms of low-grade gliomas include headache, vomiting, vision problems, difficulty walking or balancing, seizures, weight gain or weight loss, premature puberty, clumsiness, confusion, sleepiness, and changes in behavior.

Treatments for low-grade gliomas include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy that works by tailoring treatment to the genetic characteristics of the tumor.

Drugs used to treat Low-Grade Glioma

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Tafinlar Rate Add review Rx D N
Generic name:
dabrafenib systemic
Drug class:
multikinase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Mekinist Rate Add review Rx D N
Generic name:
trametinib systemic
Drug class:
multikinase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
dabrafenib Rate Add review Rx D N
Generic name:
dabrafenib systemic
Brand name:
Tafinlar
Drug class:
multikinase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
trametinib Rate Add review Rx D N
Generic name:
trametinib systemic
Brand name:
Mekinist
Drug class:
multikinase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Ojemda Rate Add review Rx N
Generic name:
tovorafenib systemic
Drug class:
multikinase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
tovorafenib Rate Add review Rx N
Generic name:
tovorafenib systemic
Brand name:
Ojemda
Drug class:
multikinase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph

Learn more about Low-Grade Glioma

Care guides

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.