Voranigo
Voranigo (vorasidenib) is a prescription pill used to treat certain brain tumors after surgery. It’s approved for adults and children 12 years and older with astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma that have an IDH1 or IDH2 mutation. You take it by mouth once a day. Common side effects include tiredness, headache, and diarrhea.
What is Voranigo (vorasidenib)?
What is Voranigo (vorasidenib) used for?
- Brain tumors (astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma) that have IDH1 or IDH2 mutations, after surgery
How Voranigo (vorasidenib) works
Voranigo (vorasidenib) is an IDH1/IDH2 inhibitor. It works by blocking abnormal IDH1 and IDH2 proteins made by certain brain tumors with IDH mutations.
These abnormal proteins help cancer cells grow and survive. By blocking them, Voranigo (vorasidenib) can help slow down tumor growth.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Voranigo |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | IDH1/IDH2 inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Voranigo (vorasidenib)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Rise in liver enzyme levels (up to 59%)
- Tiredness (37%)
- COVID-19 (33%)
- Muscle and bone pain (26%)
- Diarrhea (25%)
- Higher potassium levels (23%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Seizures
- Higher hemoglobin levels
- Lower white blood cell counts
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Higher blood sugar levels
- Low appetite
Voranigo (vorasidenib) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Liver problems: yellowing of the skin or eyes, loss of appetite, right-sided stomach pain, dark-colored urine, feeling very tired or weak
The following Voranigo (vorasidenib) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Seizures
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Muscle stiffness
- Nausea
Pros and cons of Voranigo (vorasidenib)
Pros
- Pill taken by mouth once a day
- Targets specific IDH mutations in tumor cells
- Can be taken at home
Cons
- Commonly causes tiredness and stomach-related side effects
- Can cause liver problems
- Interacts with many medications
Pharmacist tips for Voranigo (vorasidenib)
- Voranigo (vorasidenib) is available in 10 mg and 40 mg tablet strengths. Most adults take one 40 mg tablet by mouth once a day, while some children might need more than one 10 mg tablet to make up their daily dose.
- Take Voranigo (vorasidenib) whole with a glass of water, with or without food .Don’t split, crush or chew the tablets.
- If you miss a dose of Voranigo (vorasidenib) by less than 6 hours, take it as soon as you remember. If more than 6 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
- If you vomit after taking Voranigo (vorasidenib), don’t take another dose. Take your next dose at the regular time.
- Voranigo (vorasidenib) can interact with other medications, supplements, and herbal products. Share a complete medication list with your oncology care team before starting treatment.
- Smoking can lower the amount of Voranigo (vorasidenib) in your body.
- Voranigo (vorasidenib) can cause liver problems. Tell your care team right away if you have yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, stomach pain, or unusual tiredness.
- Voranigo (vorasidenib) might affect fertility. Talk with your oncologist about family planning before starting treatment.
- Pregnancy: Voranigo (vorasidenib) can harm an unborn baby. Use effective non-hormonal birth control during treatment and for 3 months after your last dose, and contact your care team right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant.
- Breastfeeding: Don’t breastfeed while taking Voranigo (vorasidenib) or for 2 months after your last dose. It is not known whether the medication passes into breast milk.
Risks and warnings for Voranigo (vorasidenib)
Voranigo (vorasidenib) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Liver problems
Voranigo (vorasidenib) can cause liver damage, especially during the first few months of treatment. You may not notice any symptoms at first, so your oncologist will check your liver with regular blood tests. You'll usually have blood work every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, then monthly after that.
Tell your care team right away if you develop symptoms of liver problems, such as unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, pain in the upper right side of your stomach, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. Your oncologist might lower your dose, pause treatment, or stop Voranigo (vorasidenib) if liver problems occur.
Harm to unborn baby
Based on animal studies, Voranigo (vorasidenib) might harm an unborn baby. If you can become pregnant, your oncologist will have you take a pregnancy test before starting treatment. If you or your partner can become pregnant, use effective birth control while taking this medication and for 3 months after your last dose.
If you can become pregnant, use a non-hormonal form of birth control, such as condoms or a copper IUD. Voranigo (vorasidenib) can make hormonal birth control work less well. Tell your oncologist right away if you or your partner become pregnant during treatment.
Voranigo (vorasidenib) dosage
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10mg of | 90 tablets | $59,930.70 | $665.90 |
| 40mg | 30 tablets | $39,955.93 | $1,331.86 |
Typical dosage for Voranigo (vorasidenib)
Adults: The typical dose is 40 mg by mouth once a day.
Children 12 years and older:
- Weight less than 40 kg: The typical dose is 20 mg by mouth once a day.
- Weight 40 kg or more: The typical dose is 40 mg by mouth once a day.
Your dose might differ if you have side effects to this medication.
