Istradefylline

Istradefylline is used along with the combination of levodopa and carbidopa (Duopa, Rytary, Sinemet, others) to treat “off” episodes (times of difficulty moving, walking, and speaking that may happen as medication wears off or at random) in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD; a disorder of the nervous system that causes difficulties with movement, muscle control, and balance). Istradefylline is in a class of medications called adenosine receptor antagonists. It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain.

🔔 How should this medicine be used?

Istradefylline comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once daily. Take istradefylline at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take istradefylline exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

🔔 Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

🔔 What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking istradefylline,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to istradefylline, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in istradefylline tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); certain antifungals such as itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox) or ketoconazole; digoxin (Lanoxin), enzalutamide (Xtandi); certain medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) such as efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Invirase); modafinil (Provigil); nefazodone; pioglitazone (Actos, in Duetact, Oseni); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin); certain medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Equetro, Tegretol, Teril), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); oral steroids such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone; or telithromycin (Ketek). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with istradefylline, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s wort. You should not take St. John’s wort during your treatment with istradefylline.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a psychotic disorder (a condition that cause difficulty telling the difference between things or ideas that are real and things or ideas that are not real), body movements that you cannot control, or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You should not become pregnant while you are taking istradefylline. You should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment with istradefylline. If you become pregnant while taking istradefylline, call your doctor.
• tell your doctor if you use tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, or hookah [waterpipe] tobacco). Smoking tobacco products may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.
• you should know that some people who took medications such as istradefylline developed gambling problems or other intense urges or behaviors that were compulsive or unusual for them, such as increased sexual urges or behaviors, uncontrolled spending, or binge or compulsive eating. Call your doctor if you have an urge to gamble that is difficult to control, you have intense urges, or you are unable to control your behavior. Tell your family members about this risk so that they can call the doctor even if you do not realize that your gambling or any other intense urges or unusual behaviors have become a problem.

🔔 What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

🔔 What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

As of August 2020, the most expensive drug in America is Myalept, a drug used to treat leptin deficiency. A month’s worse of this drug costs $71, 306 per month, according to research from GoodRx. Myalept is known as an “orphan drug” because it’s intended to treat a rare disease.

🔔 What side effects can this medication cause?

Istradefylline may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• dizziness
• constipation
• loss of appetite
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• worsening or more frequent body movements that you cannot control
• hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
• being overly suspicious or feeling people want to harm you
• believing things that are not real
• aggressive behavior, agitation, or confusion

Istradefylline may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

🔔 What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

🔔 In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

🔔 What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.