Fruquintinib

Generic name: fruquintinib
Brand name: Fruzaqla
Dosage form: oral capsule (1 mg; 5 mg)
Drug classes: Multikinase inhibitors, VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jan 26, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is fruquintinib?

Fruquintinib is used in adults to treat colorectal cancer. fruquintinib is used when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

Fruquintinib is given after other treatments did not work or stopped working.

Fruquintinib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Fruquintinib side effects

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

Some people taking fruquintinib have developed a perforation (a hole or tear) or a fistula (an abnormal passageway) within the stomach or intestines. Call your doctor if you have severe stomach pain, or if you feel like you are choking and gagging when you eat or drink.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack, blood clot, or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, leg swelling, or feeling short of breath.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• increased urination, swelling in your ankles or feet;

• confusion, thinking problems, vision problems, seizure;

• loss of balance or coordination;

• redness, rash, or blisters on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet;

• any wound that will not heal;

• signs of infection--fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, trouble breathing or cough;

• unusual bleeding--easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, abnormal vaginal bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding, any bleeding that will not stop;

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

• liver problems--loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common side effects of fruquintinib may include:

• changes in your voice or hoarseness;

• stomach pain, diarrhea; or

• feeling weak or tired.

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.

Related/similar drugs

Warnings

You may get infections or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bleeding or signs of infection (fever, cough, skin sores, painful urination).

Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• an active or recent infection;

• an allergy to aspirin or food dye (tartrazine or sunset yellow fcf);

• a perforation (a hole or tear) in your stomach or intestines;

• bleeding problems, or a wound that has not healed;

• a recent surgery or have a planned surgery within the next 2 weeks;

• a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;

• high blood pressure; or

• liver or kidney disease.

Fruquintinib can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using fruquintinib.

• If you are a woman, you may need a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Use birth control while using this medicine and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

• If you are a man, use birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs.

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

How should I take fruquintinib?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Fruquintinib is usually taken once a day for 21 days. Your doctor will determine your treatment schedule. Do not change your dose or stop using this medicine without your doctor's advice.

Take the medicine at the same time each day. You may take fruquintinib with or without food.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

If you vomit shortly after taking fruquintinib, do not take another dose. Wait until your next scheduled dose time to take the medicine again.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. You may also need frequent medical tests, including blood tests to check your liver function. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

You may be given other medications to help prevent or treat certain side effects.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using fruquintinib. You will need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Fruquintinib dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Colorectal Cancer:

5 mg orally once a day for the first 21 days of each 28-day cycle
Duration of therapy: Until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity

Use: For the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have been previously treated with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-based
chemotherapy, an anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor therapy), and, if RAS (rat sarcoma) wild-type and medically appropriate, an anti-EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) therapy

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if your next dose is due in less than 12 hours. 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 fruquintinib?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect fruquintinib?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect fruquintinib, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication 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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