Skip to main content

Futibatinib (Oral)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 17, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

  • Lytgobi

Available Dosage Forms:

  • Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor

Uses for futibatinib

Futibatinib is used to treat intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer within the liver) that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery. It is used in patients who have already tried cancer treatment before and have a certain type of abnormal FGFR2 gene in their cancer.

Futibatinib is an antineoplastic (cancer) agent. It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed by the body.

Futibatinib is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using futibatinib

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For futibatinib, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to futibatinib or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of futibatinib in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of futibatinib in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking futibatinib, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using futibatinib with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Apalutamide
  • Carbamazepine
  • Clarithromycin
  • Cobicistat
  • Conivaptan
  • Fosphenytoin
  • Itraconazole
  • Ketoconazole
  • Phenytoin
  • Rifampin
  • Ritonavir
  • St John's Wort
  • Telaprevir

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of futibatinib. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Eye or vision problem (eg, retinal pigment epithelial detachment)—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.

Proper use of futibatinib

Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before using futibatinib, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

Take futibatinib exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Futibatinib usually comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Take futibatinib with or without food, about the same time each day.

Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not crush, chew, split, or dissolve it.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using futibatinib.

Dosing

The dose of futibatinib will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of futibatinib. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma:
      • Adults—20 milligrams (mg) (five 4 mg tablets) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of futibatinib, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If it is within 12 hours on the same day, take it as soon as you remember. If it is more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you vomit after taking your medicine, do not take an extra dose.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions while using futibatinib

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using futibatinib while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before starting treatment. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment and for at least 1 week after your last dose. Males who are taking futibatinib, with female partners who can become pregnant must use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 1 week after the last dose of futibatinib. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Check with your doctor right away if eye pain, dryness, swelling, or a change in vision occurs during treatment. This could be a sign of a serious eye problem. Your doctor may want your eyes be checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) before starting treatment, every 2 months for the first 6 months, and every 3 months during treatment with futibatinib. You may use artificial tear substitutes, or hydrating or lubricating eye gels to help prevent to treat dry eyes.

Futibatinib may cause hyperphosphatemia (high potassium levels in the blood). Check with your doctor right away it you have stomach cramps, confusion, seizures, difficulty in breathing, irregular heartbeat, mood or mental changes, muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face, numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet, or tremor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Futibatinib side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

  • Bladder pain
  • bloody or cloudy urine
  • bone or joint pain
  • confusion
  • constipation
  • cracked lips
  • diarrhea
  • difficult, burning, or painful urination
  • difficulty in breathing
  • difficulty in swallowing
  • dry eyes
  • dry mouth
  • fever
  • frequent urge to urinate
  • irregular heartbeats
  • loss of appetite
  • lower back or side pain
  • mood or mental changes
  • muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
  • nausea
  • numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
  • painful irritation of the clear front part of the eye
  • redness, swelling, or pain of the skin
  • scaling of the skin on the hands and feet
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth
  • stomach cramps, tenderness, or pain
  • swelling, irritation, soreness, or inflammation of the mouth
  • tingling of the hands and feet
  • ulceration of the skin
  • vomiting
  • vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
  • watering of the eyes
  • watery or bloody diarrhea
  • weakness

Less common

  • Black, tarry stools
  • bloody stools
  • pale skin
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  • Bluish-brownish hands
  • change in taste
  • difficulty in moving
  • lack or loss of strength
  • loss of taste
  • muscle aches, cramps, pains, or stiffness
  • redness or soreness around the fingernails or loosening of the fingernails

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More about futibatinib

Patient resources

Other brands

Lytgobi

Professional resources

Related treatment guides

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.