Lonafarnib

Lonafarnib is for people with specific rare genetic conditions that lead to early and fast aging. Lonafarnib is for adults and children who are at least 12 months old and have a body size that meets a specific measurement (a body surface area of 0.39 square meters).

Lonafarnib is used to reduce the risk of death in individuals with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS).

Lonafarnib is also used to treat certain types of Progeroid Laminopathies that are "processing-deficient."

lonafarnib is not for people with non-HGPS Progeroid Syndromes or with Progeroid Laminopathies that are "processing-proficient."

Lonafarnib may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

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.

Lonafarnib is usually taken daily with morning and evening meals. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

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

If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into 1 to 2 teaspoons of Ora Blend SF, Ora-Plus, orange juice, or applesauce. Swallow the mixture within 10 minutes after mixing. Do not save it for later use.

Do not mix the contents of a lonafarnib capsule with grapefruit juice or Seville orange juice. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Lonafarnib doses are based on body surface area (height and weight). Your dose needs may change if you gain or lose weight or if you are still growing.

Your doctor may need to check your vision on a regular basis.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any that you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together.

You should not use lonafarnib if you are also taking certain other medicines.

Many drugs can interact and cause harmful effects. Some drugs should not be taken together with lonafarnib. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you are also using:

• midazolam;
• St. John's wort;
• phenobarbital or other barbiturate medicine;
• an antibiotic or antifungal medicine;
• antiviral medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C;
• cancer medicine;
• cholesterol medicine (atorvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin);
• heart or blood pressure medicine;
• seizure medicine; or
• steroid medicine.

You may need to stop using lonafarnib for 10 to 14 days before and 2 days after taking certain other medicines. Do not stop taking lonafarnib without your doctor's advice.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease; or
• eye problems.

Lonafarnib may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

Lonafarnib may affect fertility (the ability to have children) in both men and women. However, women should still use birth control to prevent pregnancy because lonafarnib can harm an unborn baby.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.

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

Lonafarnib may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• new or worsening vision problems (like decreased night vision);
• severe ongoing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• loss of appetite that leads to weight loss;
• high blood pressure—severe headache, blurred vision, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, pounding in your neck or ears;
• kidney problems—little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;
• high potassium level—nausea, weakness, tingling feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement;
• low potassium level—leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or feeling limp;
• low sodium level—headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
• low calcium level—muscle spasms or contractions, numbness or tingling (around your mouth, or in your fingers and toes); or
• signs of infection—fever, chills, cough, rash, swelling, diarrhea, pain or burning when you urinate.

Common side effects of lonafarnib may include:

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium, sodium, or calcium in your blood);
• infection;
• increased blood pressure;
• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• decreased appetite, weight loss;
• headache;
• feeling tired;
• muscle or joint pain;
• cold symptoms like stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough; or
• abnormal lab tests;

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 the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if your next dose is due in less than 8 hours. Do not take two doses at once.

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

Grapefruit and Seville oranges may interact with lonafarnib and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products and orange marmalades.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications together. Some drugs can change the blood levels of other drugs you are taking, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many drugs can affect lonafarnib. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.