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Overview: Ojemda is used to treat certain types of brain tumors. Common side effects include rashes, changes in hair color, and tiredness. Ojemda can also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Call your health care provider right away if you have any bleeding or blisters on your skin. These could be symptoms of a serious side effect. Keep all appointments with your health care provider before starting and while taking Ojemda. Ojemda comes as a tablet that is swallowed or a powder that is mixed into liquid and swallowed.

Uses

What is Ojemda used for?

Ojemda (tovorafenib) is commonly used to treat certain low-grade gliomas (LGG), which are a type of brain tumor.

Your health care provider can do a test to see if your tumor should be treated with Ojemda.

Ojemda may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Ojemda work (mechanism of action)?

Ojemda is a type of medicine known as a kinase inhibitor. It works by targeting specific proteins in certain tumor cells. By blocking the action of these proteins, Ojemda can help slow or stop tumor cells from growing.

How is Ojemda supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Ojemda

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 100 mg oral tablets
  • 25 mg/mL powder for oral suspension

How should I store Ojemda?

Ojemda should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when you’re transporting it. Store it in a cool, dry place.

Oral Tablet. Ojemda tablets should be kept in their original blister pack. Only remove the tablets from the packaging when you are ready to take the dose.

Powder for Mixing. Ojemda for oral suspension comes as a powder that must be mixed with water. After mixing, the liquid must be taken right away. If it is not taken within 15 minutes of preparing the dose, it should be thrown away. After giving the dose, throw away the oral dosing syringe and the bottle, including any unused medicine. Follow the instructions that come with the product, and ask your pharmacist or other health care provider if you have any questions.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Ojemda?

The most common side effects of Ojemda are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Rash (see below)
  • Hair color changes
  • Tiredness
  • Viral infection
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Bleeding (see below)
  • Fever
  • Dry skin
  • Constipation
  • Acne
  • Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
  • Changes in certain lab tests

There may be other side effects of Ojemda that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Ojemda?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Ojemda are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Ojemda may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Ojemda and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown, depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Bleeding. Ojemda can increase your risk of bleeding, including severe bleeding that can lead to death. Some people with serious bleeding may need a blood transfusion or surgery. Call your health care provider right away if you have any symptoms of bleeding, including any of the following.

  • Pink, red, or brown urine (pee)
  • Vomit with blood that looks like coffee grounds
  • Red or black stools (look like tar)
  • Coughing up blood or blood clots
  • Headache or feeling weak or dizzy

Rash. Ojemda can cause skin inflammation (dermatitis), skin rashes, or other skin reactions. This is a common side effect, but sometimes these reactions can be severe. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • New or worsening rash 
  • Bumps on the skin
  • Acne or pimples 
  • Irritation, blistering, peeling, or redness

Sensitivity to Sunlight. Your skin may be very sensitive to light from the sun and devices that give off similar light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds, while you are taking Ojemda. This is called photosensitivity. You should limit the amount of time you spend in sunlight while taking Ojemda. Use sunscreen and wear a hat, sunglasses, and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in the sunlight. Exposure to this kind of light, even for a short time, can cause your skin to be severely sunburned, blistered, or swollen. Tell your health care provider right away if any of these happen.

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Ojemda. Keep all appointments for bloodwork before starting and while you are taking Ojemda. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Slowed Growth. Ojemda may cause slowed growth in children. Talk with your health care provider if this is a concern for you or your child. Keep all appointments with your child’s health care provider to check your child’s growth.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Ojemda?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Ojemda.

  • Ojemda
  • Tovorafenib
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Ojemda.

What should I know about Ojemda before using it?

Do not take Ojemda unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Ojemda with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Ojemda out of the reach of children. 

Ojemda can cause abnormal blood test results. Keep all appointments, including for bloodwork, before starting and while you are taking Ojemda. This helps your health care provider know if this medicine is safe for you.

If you are taking Ojemda tablets, do not chew, crush, or cut them. Swallow the tablets whole with water.

If you are taking Ojemda liquid, read and follow the instructions to prepare, measure, and take a dose. Make sure you understand how to prepare and use it properly. Only use the measuring device that comes with your product to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.

If you throw up (vomit) right after taking your Ojemda dose, take the dose again. If you are not sure if you should take another dose after vomiting, call your health care provider right away. They will help to decide if you should take another dose. 

Ojemda may make it hard for you to get pregnant or get your partner pregnant. Talk with your health care provider if this is a concern for you. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using Ojemda?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Ojemda is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Ojemda may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Ojemda, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Ojemda may harm an unborn baby. If you can get pregnant, your health care provider will likely give you a test to make sure you are not pregnant before you start taking Ojemda. If you can get pregnant, you should use effective non-hormonal birth control while taking Ojemda and for 28 days after your last dose. If you are able to get a partner pregnant, you should use effective non-hormonal birth control while taking Ojemda and for two weeks after your last dose. Talk to your health care provider about your birth control options. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Ojemda passes into breast milk. You should not breastfeed while taking Ojemda and for two weeks after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Ojemda?

For more information about Ojemda, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.ojemda.com or call them at 855-329-1246.

Interactions

Does Ojemda interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Ojemda and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Ojemda, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer. Both Ojemda and alcohol may also increase your risk of bleeding. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does Ojemda interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using a birth control pill, patch, vaginal ring, implant, injection, or intrauterine device (IUD) that contains hormones before taking Ojemda.

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Ojemda, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Ojemda. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Ojemda?

If you or someone else has used too much Ojemda, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Ojemda?

If you miss a dose by three days or less, take the dose as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose on the next regularly scheduled day. If you miss a dose by more than three days, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose as regularly scheduled. Do not take double or extra doses.