Farydak

Generic name: panobinostat [ PAN-oh-BIN-oh-stat ]
Drug class: Histone deacetylase inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Sep 22, 2023.

What is Farydak?

Farydak is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Farydak is used in combination with other drugs to treat multiple myeloma in adults who have received at least two other types of treatment.

Farydak was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on an "accelerated" basis. In clinical studies, the medicine slowed progression of the disease. However, it has not been shown that Farydak can improve symptoms or lengthen survival time.

Warnings

Farydak can cause serious or fatal heart problems. Get medical attention if you have chest pain, fast or slow heartbeats, dizziness or fainting, swelling in your legs, blue lips, or shortness of breath.

Farydak can cause severe diarrhea. Call your doctor if you have severe diarrhea or stomach cramps, or if you get dehydrated (increased thirst, decreased urination, sweating or hot and dry skin).

Tell your doctor right away if you have any bleeding that will not stop, blood in your urine or stools, dizziness, confusion, vomiting or coughing up blood.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor if you are sick with diarrhea, or if you've ever had:

• heart problems, such as long QT syndrome;

• any type of infection;

• bleeding problems; or

• liver disease.

Panobinostat can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using this medicine.

• If you are a woman, you may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 3 months after your last dose.

• If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 6 months after your last dose.

• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Farydak.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Farydak is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Related/similar drugs

Tecvayli, Revlimid, Darzalex, Velcade, Pomalyst, Kyprolis, Ninlaro

How should I take Farydak?

Take Farydak exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Farydak is usually taken 3 times per week until your doctor tells you to stop the medicine.

Take with a full glass of water at the same time of day, with or without food.

Swallow the Farydak capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it. Do not use a broken capsule. If the medicine from a broken pill gets in your eyes or on your skin, wash your skin with soap and water or rinse your eyes with water.

If you vomit shortly after taking Farydak, do not take another capsule. Take your next dose as scheduled.

Farydak can cause severe diarrhea or dehydration. You may be given medications to help prevent diarrhea or other side effects. Use these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

You will need frequent medical tests and your treatment may be delayed based on the results.

Store the blister pack inside the original carton at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Remove a capsule only when you are ready to take it.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Farydak for Multiple Myeloma:

Initial dose: 20 mg orally once every other day for 3 doses per week (on Days 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12) in Weeks 1 and 2 of each 21-day cycle for up to 8 cycles

Duration of therapy: Up to 16 cycles (48 weeks)

Comments: Consider continuing treatment of this drug for an additional 8 cycles (16 cycles total) for patients with clinical benefit who do not experience unresolved severe or medically significant toxicity.
This drug is administered in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone. Consult manufacturer product information for the recommended dosing for these two drugs.

Use: Treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least 2 prior regimens, including bortezomib and an immunomodulatory agent

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if you are more than 12 hours late for the dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Farydak?

Certain foods may interact with panobinostat and cause side effects. Avoid eating star fruit, pomegranate, and grapefruit products while taking Farydak.

Avoid using a laxative or stool softener. These could make diarrhea worse.

Farydak side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Farydak: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Farydak can cause serious or fatal heart problems. Get medical attention if you have:

• chest pain, fast or slow heartbeats;

• dizziness, or feeling like you might pass out;

• blue-colored lips;

• swelling in your lower legs; or

• shortness of breath.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe or ongoing diarrhea or stomach cramps;

• easy bruising or bleeding, bleeding that will not stop;

• signs of bleeding inside your body - headache, dizziness, confusion; pink or brown urine; bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet;

• signs of infection - fever, chills, sweating, trouble breathing, cough with mucus, skin sores, feeling very tired;

• dehydration symptoms - feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin; or

• liver problems - loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common Farydak side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;

• fever; or

• swelling in your arms or legs.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Farydak?

Farydak can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Other drugs may interact with panobinostat, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Farydak only for the indication prescribed.

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

Medical Disclaimer

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