Frequently Asked Questions
 Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about FLT3m+ AML and XOSPATA (Zoh spah' tah). Clicking on a question will reveal the answer. If you have other questions, reach out to your doctor.

Throughout this section, you'll notice that some words are magenta and bold. These words are defined in a glossary of terms at the bottom of the page.

About FLT3m+ AML

Mutations in the FLT3 gene are the most common types of mutations in AML. About 1 in 3 people diagnosed with AML may have a FLT3 mutation.


About XOSPATA

XOSPATA is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a FLT3 mutation when the disease has come back or has not improved after previous treatment(s). Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure that XOSPATA is right for you. It is not known if XOSPATA is safe and effective in children.

XOSPATA is a targeted therapy and works differently than traditional chemotherapy. Traditional chemotherapy works by killing fast-growing cells, which can include cancer cells and other types of cells. Targeted therapies are designed to target certain features of cancer cells, like mutations. Other cells in the body may still be affected during treatment, but this type of therapy is designed with a specific target in mind.

In FLT3m+ AML, the number of leukemia cells increases in the bone marrow, leaving less room for healthy cells to grow. XOSPATA targets the FLT3 mutation, which may cause leukemia cells to stop growing in the bone marrow.* With fewer leukemia cells, the bone marrow may have more room for healthy blood cells.

*This is how XOSPATA was shown to work in laboratory studies.

Your doctor may use different measures to know if you are responding to treatment. One way is to check your blood counts to measure the number of leukemia cells in your body. When there are no signs of leukemia cells found in the blood or bone marrow, and blood counts have returned to normal, it is called complete remission. This does not mean that the cancer has been cured.

It may take time to see a response with XOSPATA. Your doctor may treat you with XOSPATA for a minimum of 6 months, as long as your disease is not getting worse and there are no serious side effects.

The most common side effects of XOSPATA include:

  • Changes in liver function tests
  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Tiredness
  • Fever
  • Pain or sores in mouth or throat
  • Swelling of arms or legs
  • Rash
  • Diarrhea
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea
  • Cough
  • Constipation
  • Eye problems
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Vomiting
  • Decreased urination

Your healthcare provider may tell you to decrease your dose, temporarily stop, or completely stop taking XOSPATA if you develop certain side effects during treatment with XOSPATA.

Before taking XOSPATA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • Have any heart problems, including a condition called long QT syndrome
  • Have problems with abnormal electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, or magnesium levels
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. XOSPATA can cause harm to your unborn baby. You should avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with XOSPATA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with XOSPATA
    • If you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare provider may perform a pregnancy test 7 days before you start treatment with XOSPATA
    • Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with XOSPATA and for 6 months after the last dose of XOSPATA
    • Males who have female partners that are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with XOSPATA and for 4 months after the last dose of XOSPATA
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XOSPATA passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with XOSPATA and for 2 months after the last dose of XOSPATA
  • Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. XOSPATA may affect the way other medicines work and other medicines may affect how XOSPATA works.

Take XOSPATA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to. Do not change your dose or stop taking XOSPATA without talking to your healthcare provider. Take XOSPATA 1 time a day at about the same time each day. Swallow XOSPATA tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet. XOSPATA can be taken with or without food.

If you miss a dose of XOSPATA, or did not take it at the usual time, take your dose as soon as possible and at least 12 hours before your next dose. Return to your normal schedule the following day. Do not take 2 doses of XOSPATA within 12 hours.

If you have further questions about your XOSPATA dose, reach out to your doctor.

XOSPATA comes in a child-resistant package. Store XOSPATA at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Keep XOSPATA in the original container to protect it from light, moisture, and humidity.

Keep XOSPATA and all medicines out of the reach of children.


Getting XOSPATA

XOSPATA is a specialty drug, so it cannot be filled at your local pharmacy. After your doctor writes you a prescription for XOSPATA, they can send the prescription to a specialty pharmacy or to XOSPATA Support SolutionsSM.

Next, XOSPATA Support SolutionsSM or the specialty pharmacy will call you to confirm details about your address and insurance coverage.

After your XOSPATA prescription is approved by your insurance company, it will be dispensed and shipped by a XOSPATA network specialty pharmacy right to your home. You will then receive a call from the specialty pharmacy to arrange refills of your prescription.

Your doctor may also be able to provide XOSPATA in their office. Ask your doctor if this is an option for you.

If XOSPATA is not covered by your insurance, XOSPATA Support SolutionsSM may be able to help. XOSPATA Support SolutionsSM helps people who have been prescribed XOSPATA access their medication as quickly as possible.

When you call XOSPATA Support SolutionsSM, a case manager will work with you to understand your healthcare coverage and identify financial assistance information that may be available to help.

If you have commercial prescription insurance, you may be eligible* for the XOSPATA Copay Card Program. With the copay card, you pay as little as $0 per prescription, up to a maximum savings of $25,000 per calendar year, and are enrolled in the program for a 12-month period. You have a maximum copay assistance limit of $7000 per calendar year. There are no income requirements. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about enrolling in the XOSPATA Copay Card Program.

*By enrolling in the XOSPATA Patient Savings Program ("Program"), the patient acknowledges that they currently meet the eligibility criteria and will comply with the following terms and conditions: The Program is for eligible patients with commercial prescription insurance coverage for XOSPATA® (gilteritinib) and is good for use only with a valid prescription for XOSPATA. The Program is not valid for patients whose prescription claims are reimbursed, in whole or in part, by any state or federal government program, including, but not limited to, Medicaid, Medicare, Medigap, Department of Defense (DoD), Veterans Affairs (VA), TRICARE, Puerto Rico Government Insurance, or any state patient or pharmaceutical assistance program. Patients who move from commercial insurance to federal or state health insurance will no longer be eligible, and agree to notify the Program of any such change. Patients agree not to seek reimbursement from any health insurance or third party for all or any part of the benefit received by the patient through the Program. This offer is not conditioned on any past, present, or future purchase of XOSPATA. This offer is not transferrable and cannot be combined with any other offer, free trial, prescription savings card, or discount. The full value of the Program benefits is intended to pass entirely to the eligible patient. This offer is not health insurance and is only valid for patients in the 50 United States, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, Guam and Virgin Islands. This offer is not valid for cash paying patients. This Program is void where prohibited by law. No membership fees. It is illegal to sell, purchase, trade, counterfeit, duplicate, or reproduce, or offer to sell, purchase, trade, counterfeit, duplicate or reproduce the card. This offer will be accepted only at participating pharmacies. Certain rules and restrictions apply. Astellas reserves the right to revoke, rescind, or amend this offer without notice. The Program has a maximum copay assistance limit of $7,000 per calendar year. After the annual maximum on copay assistance is reached, patient will be responsible for the remaining out-of-pocket costs for XOSPATA. Astellas may reduce or discontinue the copay assistance available under the Program if it determines an enrolled patient is subject to a program offered by a third-party payer or pharmacy benefit manager, or an agent of either, that adjusts patients’ out-of-pocket cost-sharing obligations based on the copay assistance provided by this Program, or excludes the copay assistance provided under this Program from counting towards an enrolled patient’s out-of-pocket cost-sharing obligations (“maximizer” or “accumulator” program). The Program uses advanced logic to identify whether a claim for an enrolled patient is subject to a “maximizer” or “accumulator” program. Unless prohibited by law, Astellas may reduce the cost-sharing assistance available under the Program to a per claim maximum of $25 if it determines a claim for an enrolled patient is subject to a “maximizer” or “accumulator” program.

Glossary of Terms

Acute

When symptoms or signs start fast and quickly worsen.

Bone marrow

The part of the body where blood cells are made.

Gene

Piece of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that determines traits, passed on through families.

Leukemia

A type of cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue, such as bone marrow.

Platelet

A small, ring-shaped cell that helps to form clots in the blood in order to slow or stop bleeding and to help wounds heal.

Refractory

Cancer that has not improved after previous treatment(s).

Relapse

When cancer has come back after a period of improvement.

Targeted therapy

Treatment that works by targeting specific parts of cancer cells in order to lower the number of these cells in the body.

WHAT IS XOSPATA


XOSPATA is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation when the disease has come back or has not improved after previous treatment(s). Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure XOSPATA is right for you. It is not known if XOSPATA is safe and effective in children.

What is the most important information I should know about XOSPATA?

XOSPATA may cause serious side effects including Differentiation Syndrome. Differentiation Syndrome is a condition that affects your blood cells and may be life-threatening or lead to death if not treated. Differentiation Syndrome can happen as early as 1 day after starting XOSPATA and during the first 3 months of treatment. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of differentiation syndrome while taking XOSPATA: fever, cough, dizziness or lightheadedness, rapid weight gain, trouble breathing, swelling of your arms or legs, rash, decreased urination. If you develop any of these symptoms of differentiation syndrome, your healthcare provider may treat you with a corticosteroid medicine and may monitor you in the hospital.

Who should not take XOSPATA?

Do not take XOSPATA if you are allergic to gilteritinib or any of the ingredients in XOSPATA.

What are the possible side effects of XOSPATA?

XOSPATA may cause serious side effects including:

  • See "What is the most important information I should know about XOSPATA?" above.

  • Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES). If you take XOSPATA, you may be at risk of developing a condition involving the brain called PRES. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have a seizure or quickly worsening symptoms such as headache, decreased alertness, confusion, reduced eyesight, blurred vision, or other visual problems. Your healthcare provider will do a test to check for PRES. Your healthcare provider will stop XOSPATA if you develop PRES.

  • Changes in the electrical activity of your heart called QTc prolongation. QTc prolongation can cause irregular heartbeats that can be life-threatening. Your healthcare provider will check the electrical activity of your heart with a test called an electrocardiogram (ECG) before you start taking XOSPATA and during your treatment with XOSPATA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint. The risk of QT prolongation is higher in people with low blood magnesium or low blood potassium levels. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your potassium and magnesium levels before and during your treatment with XOSPATA.

  • Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have severe stomach (abdomen) pain that does not go away. This pain may happen with or without nausea and vomiting.

The most common side effects of XOSPATA include:

  • Changes in liver function tests

  • Joint or muscle pain

  • Tiredness

  • Fever

  • Pain or sores in mouth or throat

  • Swelling of arms or legs

  • Rash

  • Diarrhea

  • Shortness of breath

  • Nausea

  • Cough

  • Constipation

  • Eye problems

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Low blood pressure

  • Vomiting

  • Decreased urination

Your healthcare provider may tell you to decrease your dose, temporarily stop, or completely stop taking XOSPATA if you develop certain side effects during treatment with XOSPATA.

These are not all of the possible side effects of XOSPATA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

What should I tell my doctor before taking XOSPATA?

Tell your doctor:

  • About all of your medical conditions.

  • If you have heart problems, including a condition called long QT syndrome.

  • If you have problems with abnormal electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, or magnesium levels.

  • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. XOSPATA can cause harm to your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with XOSPATA or think you may be pregnant.

    • If you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare provider may perform a pregnancy test 7 days before you start treatment with XOSPATA.

    • Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with XOSPATA and for 6 months after the last dose of XOSPATA.

    • Males who have female partners that are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with XOSPATA and for 4 months after the last dose of XOSPATA.

     

  • If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XOSPATA passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with XOSPATA and for 2 months after the last dose of XOSPATA.

  • About all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. XOSPATA may affect the way other medicines work and other medicines may affect how XOSPATA works.

How should I take XOSPATA?

  • Take XOSPATA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.

  • Do not change your dose or stop taking XOSPATA unless your healthcare provider tells you to.

  • Take XOSPATA 1 time a day at about the same time each day.

  • Swallow XOSPATA tablets whole.

  • XOSPATA can be taken with or without food.

  • Do not break, crush or chew XOSPATA tablets.

  • If you miss a dose of XOSPATA, take your dose as soon as possible on the same day at least 12 hours before your next scheduled dose. Return to your normal schedule the following day. Do not take 2 doses within 12 hours.

Please see Full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING, and Medication Guide.

WHAT IS XOSPATA


XOSPATA is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation when the disease has come back or has not improved after previous treatment(s). Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure XOSPATA is right for you. It is not known if XOSPATA is safe and effective in children.

What is the most important information I should know about XOSPATA?

XOSPATA may cause serious side effects including Differentiation Syndrome. Differentiation Syndrome is a condition that affects your blood cells and may be life-threatening or lead to death if not treated. Differentiation Syndrome can happen as early as 1 day after starting XOSPATA and during the first 3 months of treatment. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of differentiation syndrome while taking XOSPATA: fever, cough, dizziness or lightheadedness, rapid weight gain, trouble breathing, swelling of your arms or legs, rash, decreased urination. If you develop any of these symptoms of differentiation syndrome, your healthcare provider may treat you with a corticosteroid medicine and may monitor you in the hospital.

Who should not take XOSPATA?

Do not take XOSPATA if you are allergic to gilteritinib or any of the ingredients in XOSPATA.

What are the possible side effects of XOSPATA?

XOSPATA may cause serious side effects including:

  • See "What is the most important information I should know about XOSPATA?" above.

  • Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES). If you take XOSPATA, you may be at risk of developing a condition involving the brain called PRES. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have a seizure or quickly worsening symptoms such as headache, decreased alertness, confusion, reduced eyesight, blurred vision, or other visual problems. Your healthcare provider will do a test to check for PRES. Your healthcare provider will stop XOSPATA if you develop PRES.

  • Changes in the electrical activity of your heart called QTc prolongation. QTc prolongation can cause irregular heartbeats that can be life-threatening. Your healthcare provider will check the electrical activity of your heart with a test called an electrocardiogram (ECG) before you start taking XOSPATA and during your treatment with XOSPATA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint. The risk of QT prolongation is higher in people with low blood magnesium or low blood potassium levels. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your potassium and magnesium levels before and during your treatment with XOSPATA.

  • Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have severe stomach (abdomen) pain that does not go away. This pain may happen with or without nausea and vomiting.

The most common side effects of XOSPATA include:

  • Changes in liver function tests

  • Joint or muscle pain

  • Tiredness

  • Fever

  • Pain or sores in mouth or throat

  • Swelling of arms or legs

  • Rash

  • Diarrhea

  • Shortness of breath

  • Nausea

  • Cough

  • Constipation

  • Eye problems

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Low blood pressure

  • Vomiting

  • Decreased urination

Your healthcare provider may tell you to decrease your dose, temporarily stop, or completely stop taking XOSPATA if you develop certain side effects during treatment with XOSPATA.

These are not all of the possible side effects of XOSPATA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

What should I tell my doctor before taking XOSPATA?

Tell your doctor:

  • About all of your medical conditions.

  • If you have heart problems, including a condition called long QT syndrome.

  • If you have problems with abnormal electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, or magnesium levels.

  • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. XOSPATA can cause harm to your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with XOSPATA or think you may be pregnant.

    • If you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare provider may perform a pregnancy test 7 days before you start treatment with XOSPATA.

    • Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with XOSPATA and for 6 months after the last dose of XOSPATA.

    • Males who have female partners that are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with XOSPATA and for 4 months after the last dose of XOSPATA.

     

  • If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XOSPATA passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with XOSPATA and for 2 months after the last dose of XOSPATA.

  • About all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. XOSPATA may affect the way other medicines work and other medicines may affect how XOSPATA works.

How should I take XOSPATA?

  • Take XOSPATA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.

  • Do not change your dose or stop taking XOSPATA unless your healthcare provider tells you to.

  • Take XOSPATA 1 time a day at about the same time each day.

  • Swallow XOSPATA tablets whole.

  • XOSPATA can be taken with or without food.

  • Do not break, crush or chew XOSPATA tablets.

  • If you miss a dose of XOSPATA, take your dose as soon as possible on the same day at least 12 hours before your next scheduled dose. Return to your normal schedule the following day. Do not take 2 doses within 12 hours.

Please see Full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING, and Medication Guide.