lanvis Drug information

Generic Name: lanvis (thigh oh GUAH neen)
Brand Names:

What is the most important information I should know about lanvis?
 •  lanvis should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
 •  Serious side effects have been reported with the use of lanvis including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing closing of the throat swelling of the lips, tongue, or face or hives) decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue easy bruising or bleeding black, bloody or tarry stools fever or chills or sore throat) liver problems (yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, nausea) severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or sores in the mouth and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with lanvis.

What is lanvis?
 •  lanvis is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. lanvis interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
 •  lanvis is used to treat blood cancer (acute non-lymphocytic leukemia).
 •  lanvis may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lanvis?
 •  Before taking lanvis, tell your doctor if you have
      · thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) deficiency (an enzyme deficiency that may be detected by blood tests)
      · liver problems
      · a bleeding or blood clotting disorder or
      · bone marrow problems.
 •  You may not be able to take lanvis, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
 •  lanvis is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that lanvis is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not take lanvis without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
 •  It is unknown whether lanvis passes into breast milk. Do not take lanvis without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.

How should I take lanvis?
 •  Take this medication exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
 •  Take each dose with a full glass of water.
 •  Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with lanvis depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.
 •  Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with lanvis to monitor progress and side effects.
 •  Store lanvis at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?
 •  Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of lanvis.

What happens if I overdose?
 •  If for any reason an overdose of lanvis is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.
 •  Symptoms of a lanvis overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

What should I avoid while taking lanvis?
 •  lanvis can lower the activity of the immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with lanvis. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.

What are the possible side effects of lanvis?
 •  If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
      · an allergic reaction (shortness of breath closing of the throat difficulty breathing swelling of the lips, face, or tongue or hives)
      · abdominal pain
      · jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
      · extreme fatigue
      · signs of infection such as fever chills, or sore throat
      · unusual bleeding or bruising
      · black, bloody or tarry stools or
      · severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
 •  Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience
      · loss of appetite
      · mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea or
      · mouth sores.
 •  Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect lanvis?
 •  Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with lanvis. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with lanvis.
 •  Before taking lanvis, talk to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
      · balsalazide (Colazal)
      · mesalamine (Asacol, Pentasa, Rowasa)
      · olsalazine (Dipentum) or
      · sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).
 •  You may not be able to take lanvis, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
 •  Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with lanvis. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, during treatment with lanvis.