Yondelis ratings & reviews

Yondelis contains the active ingredient trabectedin, which is an alkylating drug. It is formulated as a sterile lyophilized powder for injection, available in single-dose vials containing 1 mg of trabectedin. Key inactive ingredients include potassium dihydrogen phosphate and sucrose. It is designed to be used in cancer treatment, specifically sarcoma, by slowing the growth of cancer cells.

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected into a vein. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting.

A special MedGuide will be given to you before each treatment. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

Keep appointments for follow-up doses. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Capillary leak syndrome—stomach or muscle pain, unusual weakness or fatigue, feeling faint or lightheaded, decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet, trouble breathing
• Heart failure—shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Muscle injury—unusual weakness or fatigue, muscle pain, dark yellow or brown urine, decrease in amount of urine
• Painful swelling, warmth, or redness of the skin, blisters or sores at the infusion site

• Stomach pain, unusual weakness or fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever that lasts longer than expected
• Unusual bruising or bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Low blood cell levels, such as low white cells, platelets, or red blood cells
• Muscle aches or weakness
• An unusual or allergic reaction to trabectedin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

What may interact with this medication?

• Antiviral medications for HIV or AIDS
• Boceprevir
• Certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, telithromycin
• Certain medications for fungal infections, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole
• Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
• Conivaptan
• Grapefruit juice
• Nefazodone
• Rifampin
• St. John's wort
• Telaprevir

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication.

This medication may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your care team tells you to stop.

This medication can cause serious allergic reactions. To reduce your risk you may need to take medication before treatment with this medication. Take your medication as directed.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

Avoid taking medications that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your care team. These medications may hide a fever.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medication.

Talk to your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy or for 2 months after the last dose. A negative pregnancy test is required before starting this medication. A reliable form of contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 2 months after the last dose. Talk to your care team about reliable forms of contraception. Do not father a child while taking this medication and for 5 months after the last dose. Use a condom during sex during this time period.

Do not breast-feed while taking this medication.

This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.