Chemo Drugs

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Anagrelide (Agrylin)

What Does It Look Like?

Capsule

How Is It Given?

Oral (by mouth)

Why Am I Taking It?

To reduce elevated platelet levels in the blood caused by a number of different diseases including chronic leukemia and other myeloproliferative disorders.

What Side Effects May Occur?

• Headaches may occur and usually will stop after the first two weeks of being on this medicine. You may take Tylenol for the headache, unless your doctor or nurse tells you otherwise.
• You may feel your heart beating rapidly. This is called palpitations. This is usually very mild. If you have palpitations develop, try changing the time that you are taking your medicine or the time that you exercise so that you are not exercising for at least 2 to 2 1/2 hours after you take the medicine.
• Mild diarrhea may occur and generally stops as your body adjusts to the medicine.
• There is a chance that agrylin may cause some heart problems of a more serious nature. If you have heart disease, make sure that your doctor knows about it before you start on the medicine. If you have never had any heart problems, the chance of developing them after taking this medicine is small, but has been reported. Notify your doctor if you develop new symptoms of swelling of your legs and feet, shortness of breath, chest pain or a cough.
• Notify your doctor immediately or come to the emergency room if you experience a seizure and have not had one before of if you develop severe abdominal pain or have rectal bleeding or vomiting blood.

Special Considerations

• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Your doctor will adjust your doses carefully after monitoring your blood tests frequently. Once the right platelet level is reached, you will be on a "maintenance dose" and your blood tests can be done less often, usually monthly.
• It is not known whether this drug is safe to take during pregnancy or if you are breast feeding. Talk with your doctor about this.
• Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medicine before you have any surgeries.
• There are no known drug/herb interactions with this medicine at this time, but it is important you talk with your doctor or pharmacist before you take any other medicines or herbs.

What If I Miss A Dose?

If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Storage:

Store at room temperature between 59 and 77 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight.