Pemazyre (pemigatinib) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain types of cancer in adults. Pemazyre comes as an oral tablet that’s typically taken once per day. The dosage can vary depending on what condition the drug is used to help treat.

Pemazyre is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with:

  • cancer located in the bile duct or has spread to other parts of the body and can’t be removed by surgery
  • a type of blood cancer known as myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms (MLNs) with fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGR1) rearrangement

Pemazyre belongs to a drug class called kinase inhibitors. Pemazyre is not available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Pemazyre, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Pemazyre, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Pemazyre provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Pemazyre, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

The information below describes Pemazyre’s typical dosages and other details about the drug.

Pemazyre form

Pemazyre comes as an oral tablet.

Pemazyre strengths

Pemazyre comes in three strengths:

  • 4.5 milligrams (mg)
  • 9 mg
  • 13.5 mg

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for bile duct cancer

Doctors may prescribe Pemazyre to help treat bile duct cancer.

If your doctor prescribes Pemazyre for bile duct cancer, your starting dose will likely be 13.5 mg. Typically, you’ll take this once daily for 14 consecutive days. For the next 7 days, you won’t take any doses of Pemazyre. This is known as one 21-day treatment cycle. You’ll repeat this cycle (14 days of medication followed by 7 days off) for as long as your doctor recommends. Typically, this means you’ll continue taking Pemazyre as long as it’s working for you and as long as you don’t have bothersome side effects.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms (MLNs)

Doctors may prescribe Pemazyre to help treat myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms (MLNs).

If your doctor prescribes Pemazyre for MLNs, your starting dose will likely be 13.5 mg. Typically, you’ll take this once daily. You’ll continue taking this dosage for as long as your doctor recommends. Typically, this means you’ll take Pemazyre for as long as it’s working for you and as long as you don’t have bothersome side effects.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Long-term treatment

Pemazyre is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Pemazyre is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it for as long as it’s working for you or as long as you don’t have bothersome side effects.

Before you start taking Pemazyre, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

The Pemazyre dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • how your body responds to Pemazyre
  • the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Pemazyre to treat
  • other medications you take
  • side effects you may have with Pemazyre
  • your liver and kidney function

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Pemazyre dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you take certain medications, such as CYP3A* inhibitors. These drugs can affect the level of Pemazyre in your body. To find out what drugs may interact with Pemazyre, see this article.

Your doctor may also need to adjust your dosage if you have liver damage or kidney disease.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.

* CYP3A is a type of protein in the liver that breaks down medications.

Pemazyre comes as an oral tablet that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, chew, or place the tablet in water. You may take your dose with or without food.

It may be helpful to take Pemazyre around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Pemazyre can work effectively.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have questions about how to take Pemazyre, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Pemazyre in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Pemazyre, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s more than 4 hours past your scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next scheduled dose the following day.

If you vomit after taking your Pemazyre dose, do not take an extra dose. Take your next scheduled dose the following day.

If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you don’t take more Pemazyre than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Pemazyre

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Pemazyre. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Pemazyre.

Is the dosage of Pemazyre similar to the dosage of Tibsovo?

Yes, the forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Pemazyre and Tibsovo (ivosidenib) are both oral tablets taken once daily.

The dose in milligrams for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Pemazyre to start working?

Pemazyre starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Pemazyre treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Pemazyre for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Pemazyre without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Pemazyre that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Pemazyre. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Pemazyre: For information about other aspects of Pemazyre, refer to this article.
  • Side effects: To learn about side effects of Pemazyre, see this article. You can also look at the Pemazyre prescribing information.
  • Interactions: For details about what Pemazyre interacts with, see this article.
  • Details about your condition: For details about cancer, see our cancer hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.