Jaypirca Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Jaypirca Tablet, generic name pirtobrutinib, is a prescription cancer medicine belonging to a class of drugs called Bruton Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitors. It is taken by mouth and is used to treat certain relapsed or refractory blood cancers in adults, including mantle cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. It works by blocking a protein called BTK that cancer cells need to grow and survive.

What is Jaypirca Tablet

Jaypirca is a prescription cancer medicine that comes as a tablet taken by mouth. It contains the active ingredient pirtobrutinib and belongs to a group of medicines called BTK inhibitors.

Jaypirca Tablet uses

• Treating mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), a blood cancer, in adults who have already had at least two other treatments, including a BTK inhibitor
• Treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) in adults who have already had at least two other treatments, including a BTK inhibitor and a BCL-2 inhibitor

Benefits of Jaypirca Tablet

• Treats certain relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphomas
• Treats certain relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL
• Inhibits Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK)
• Helps suppress signaling involved in malignant B-cell survival
• Provides an oral targeted-treatment option

How Jaypirca Tablet works

Jaypirca works by blocking a protein called BTK that cancer cells need to grow and survive. By blocking this protein, the medicine helps kill the cancer cells and can slow down the disease.

Jaypirca Tablet dosage

Take this medicine at about the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush, or split the tablet before swallowing. If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take an extra dose — just take your next dose at the usual time. This medicine should only be taken under the care of a healthcare professional experienced in treating cancer.

Available forms and strengths

• 50 mg tablets
• 100 mg tablets

Side effects of Jaypirca Tablet

Common

• Bruising
• Diarrhea or loose stool
• Constipation
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Headache
• Joint pain
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Swelling in the arm or leg
• Skin rash
• Cough
• Upper airway infections, including COVID-19

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction (itchy rash, trouble breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat)
• Serious infections (fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath)
• Severe bleeding (unusual bruising, blood in urine or stool, coughing up blood, headache that won't go away)
• Low blood cell counts (fever, fainting, unusual bleeding, weakness, severe headache)
• Heart rhythm problems (irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, chest discomfort)
• New cancers, including skin cancer (new or changing skin lumps or patches)
• Tumor lysis syndrome (nausea, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, reduced urination, muscle spasms, seizures)
• Liver damage or failure (yellowing of skin or eyes, swollen belly, confusion, bleeding easily)

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can cause serious, sometimes fatal, bleeding, even in people without low platelet counts. Tell your doctor if you have a history of bleeding problems or take blood-thinning medicines.
• Serious and sometimes fatal infections, including pneumonia and COVID-19, have happened in people taking this medicine.
• This medicine can cause irregular heartbeats such as atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. People with existing heart problems or high blood pressure may be at higher risk.
• New cancers, including skin cancers, have developed in some people taking this medicine. Protect your skin from the sun and get regular skin checks.
• Low blood cell counts, including low neutrophils, red blood cells, and platelets, are common with this medicine and may require blood test monitoring and dose changes.
• Liver injury, including rare fatal liver problems, has been reported with this type of medicine.
• If you need surgery or a dental procedure, your doctor may have you stop taking this medicine for a few days before and after because of bleeding risk.
• People with certain rare hereditary problems involving sugar processing should not take this medicine because it contains lactose.
• Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking this medicine, as it can raise medicine levels in the body and increase side effect risk.
• This medicine should not be used during pregnancy because it can harm an unborn baby. Women who can become pregnant should have a pregnancy test before starting treatment and use effective birth control during treatment and for some time after.
• Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine and for one week after the last dose, since it is not known if the medicine passes into breast milk.
• People with severe kidney impairment may need a lower dose, and their doctor should watch them closely for side effects.
• No dose change is needed for people with mild, moderate, or severe liver problems, but liver function should be checked before and during treatment because liver damage can occur.
• It isn't known for certain how alcohol affects this medicine, but both alcohol and this medicine can raise the risk of bleeding, so it's best to limit alcohol.
• No specific studies have looked at whether this medicine affects the ability to drive or use machinery.

Storage

• Store JAYPIRCA at room temperature (15°C to 30°C)
• Do not use this medication after the expiry date (EXP) shown on the bottle
• Keep out of reach and sight of children

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as itchy rash, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Contact your healthcare professional right away if you have signs of infection such as fever, chills, feeling weak or confused, cough, cold or flu symptoms, shortness of breath, or pain when urinating.
• Seek medical help for signs of serious bleeding, such as sudden severe headache, vision changes, confusion, blood in vomit, urine, or stool, or coughing up blood.
• Get help right away for signs of heart rhythm problems, such as irregular or weak pulse, dizziness, chest discomfort, or fainting.
• Stop taking the medicine and get immediate help for signs of low blood cell counts, such as fever, fainting, bleeding, bruising, or severe headache.
• Tell your doctor about any new skin lumps or patches that change over time, as this could be a sign of skin cancer.
• Seek medical help for signs of liver problems, such as yellowing skin or eyes, easy bleeding, confusion, or extreme sleepiness.

Alternatives

• Ibrutinib
• Acalabrutinib
• Zanubrutinib