Imlunestrant (Inluriyo™)

How to Take Imlunestrant (Inluriyo™)

Imlunestrant comes in tablet form to be taken orally (by mouth). It should be taken around the same time every day. Take this medication on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours before food or 1 hour after food. This medication should be swallowed whole. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Do not take any tablets that are cracked or broken. Talk with your provider if you have trouble swallowing pills.

If you miss a dose and it is less than 6 hours from when you normally take it, take it as soon as you remember. If it has been more than 6 hours or if you vomit after taking the medication, take your next scheduled dose the following day. Do not double your dose.

It is important to make sure you are taking the correct amount of medication every time. Before every dose, check that what you are taking matches what you have been prescribed.

The blood levels of this medication can be affected by certain foods, medications and supplements. These include: grapefruit and grapefruit juice, itraconazole, fluconazole, rifampin, and efavirenz, among others. Make sure your providers are aware of all medications (over-the-counter and prescription) and supplements you are taking.

Storage and Handling

Store this medication at room temperature in the original container. If you usually use a pillbox, ask your pharmacist if you can with this medication. If a caregiver prepares your dose for you, they should consider wearing gloves or pour the pills directly from their container into the cap, a small cup, or directly into your hand. They should avoid touching the pills. They should always wash their hands before and after giving you the medication. Pregnant or nursing women should not prepare the dose for you.

Ask your provider or pharmacist where to return any unused medication for disposal. Do not flush down the toilet.

Where do I get this medication?

Certain cancer medications are only available through specialty pharmacies. If you need to get this medication through a specialty pharmacy, your provider will help you start this process. Where you can fill your prescriptions may also be influenced by your prescription drug coverage. Ask your provider or pharmacist for help in identifying where you can get this medication.

Insurance Information

This medication may be covered under your prescription drug plan. Patient assistance may be available to qualifying individuals without adequate prescription drug coverage. Co-pay cards, which reduce the patient co-pay responsibility for eligible commercially (non-government sponsored) insured patients, may also be available. Your provider can help you find these resources, if they are available.

Possible Side Effects

There are a number of things you can do to manage the side effects of imlunestrant. Talk to your provider about these recommendations. They can help you decide what will work best for you. These are some of the most common or important side effects:

Low Red Blood Cell Count (Anemia)

Your red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues in your body. When the  red cell count is low, you may feel tired or weak. You should let your provider know if you experience any shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or pain in your chest. If the count gets too low, you may receive a blood transfusion.

Muscle or Joint Pain

Your provider can recommend medications and other strategies to help relieve pain.

Low White Blood Cell Count (Neutropenia)

White blood cells (WBC) are important for fighting infection. While receiving treatment, your WBC count can drop, putting you at a higher risk of getting an infection. You should let your doctor or nurse know right away if you have a fever (temperature greater than 100.4°F or 38°C), sore throat or cold, shortness of breath, cough, burning with urination, or a sore that doesn't heal.

Tips to preventing infection:

• Washing hands, both yours and your visitors, is the best way to prevent the spread of infection.
• Avoid large crowds and people who are sick (i.e.: those who have a cold, fever, or cough or live with someone with these symptoms).
• When working in your yard, wear protective clothing including long pants and gloves.
• Do not handle pet waste.
• Keep all cuts or scratches clean.
• Shower or bathe daily and perform frequent mouth care.
• Do not cut cuticles or ingrown nails. You may wear nail polish, but not fake nails.
• Ask your provider before scheduling dental appointments or procedures.
• Ask your provider before you, or someone you live with has any vaccinations.

Electrolyte Changes

This medication can affect the normal levels of some electrolytes (calcium) in your body. Your levels will be monitored using blood tests. If your levels become too low, your provider  may prescribe specific electrolytes to be given by IV or taken by mouth. Do not take any supplements without first talking with your provider.

Liver Toxicity

This medication can cause liver toxicity, which your provider may monitor for using blood tests called liver function tests. Call your provider if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, if your urine is dark or brown, or if you have pain in your abdomen (belly), as these can be signs of liver toxicity.

Fatigue

Fatigue is very common during cancer treatment and is an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion that is not relieved by rest. While on cancer treatment, and for a period after, you may need to change your schedule to manage fatigue. Plan times to rest during the day and conserve energy for more important activities. Exercise can help combat fatigue; a simple daily walk with a friend can help. Talk to your provider for helpful tips on dealing with this side effect.

Diarrhea

Your provider can recommend medications to relieve diarrhea. If you have diarrhea, talk with your provider about any changes you can make to the foods you eat. They may recommend eating low-fiber, bland foods, such as white rice and boiled or baked chicken. Avoid raw fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, cereals, and seeds. Soluble fiber is found in some foods and absorbs fluid, which can help relieve diarrhea. Foods high in soluble fiber are applesauce, bananas (ripe), canned fruit, orange sections, boiled potatoes, white rice, products made with white flour, oatmeal, cream of rice, cream of wheat, and farina. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of non-alcoholic, un-caffeinated fluid a day to prevent dehydration.

Increased Cholesterol/Triglycerides

This medication can increase the cholesterol and triglyceride (lipid) levels in your blood. Your provider may monitor your lipid levels before, during, and after treatment and may prescribe medication to help manage high lipid levels.

Sexual and Reproductive Concerns

This medication may affect your reproductive system, resulting in the menstrual cycle or sperm production becoming irregular or stopping permanently. Women may have menopausal effects such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. In addition, the desire for sex may decrease during treatment. You may want to consider sperm banking or egg harvesting if you may wish to have a child in the future. Talk about these options with your provider.

Exposure of an unborn child to this medication could cause birth defects, so you should not become pregnant or father a child while on this medication. Effective birth control is necessary during treatment and for at least 1 week after treatment, even if your menstrual cycle stops or you believe you are not producing sperm. You should not breastfeed while receiving this medication and for at least 1 week after your last dose.