Lonsurf

What is Lonsurf used for?

• Lonsurf is used to treat colorectal cancer.
• It is used to treat stomach cancer.

Before taking Lonsurf, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to Lonsurf; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have liver disease or raised liver enzymes.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take Lonsurf and for 1 day after your last dose.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Lonsurf with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Lonsurf?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Lonsurf. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Very bad and sometimes life-threatening blood and bone marrow problems like anemia, low platelet counts, or low white blood cell counts have happened with Lonsurf. Change in dose or even stopping the drug may be needed if any of these side effects happen. Talk with the doctor.
• You may have more of a chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu. Some infections have been very bad and even deadly.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• If you are 65 or older, use Lonsurf with care. You could have more side effects.
• If you are a man and have sex with a female who could get pregnant, protect her from pregnancy during treatment and for 3 months after your last dose. Use a condom.
• If you are a man and your sex partner gets pregnant while you take Lonsurf or within 3 months after your last dose, call your doctor right away.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant.
• If you are able to get pregnant, a pregnancy test will be done to show that you are NOT pregnant before starting Lonsurf. Talk with your doctor.
• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking Lonsurf and for 6 months after stopping Lonsurf.
• If you get pregnant while taking Lonsurf or within 6 months after your last dose, call your doctor right away.

How is Lonsurf best taken?

Use Lonsurf as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take Lonsurf with food.
• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Wash your hands after use.
• If someone else is giving you Lonsurf, be sure that person wears gloves to avoid contact with Lonsurf.
• This medicine comes in 2 different strengths. The dose you get may be made up of 2 different strengths. Be sure to take Lonsurf as you have been told.
• Keep taking Lonsurf as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• If you throw up after taking a dose, do not repeat the dose. Take your next dose at your normal time.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• If you are not sure what to do if you miss a dose, call your doctor.

What are the side effects of Lonsurf that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
• Feeling very tired or weak.

What are some other side effects of Lonsurf?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Hair loss.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Stomach pain.
• Mouth irritation or mouth sores.
• Change in taste.
• Diarrhea, throwing up, upset stomach, and feeling less hungry are common with Lonsurf. If these happen, talk with your doctor about ways to lower these side effects. Call your doctor right away if any of these effects bother you, do not get better, or get very bad.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Lonsurf?

• Store in the original container at room temperature.
• If stored outside of the original container, throw away any part not used after 30 days.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer information use and disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about Lonsurf, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take Lonsurf or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Lonsurf. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.