Rydapt (midostaurin) is a prescription drug used to treat certain types of cancer. The drug comes as a capsule you swallow and is typically taken twice per day.
Specifically, Rydapt is prescribed to treat the following conditions in adults:
- A certain type of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This is a type of cancer that occurs in the bone marrow or blood. For this use, Rydapt is prescribed with the chemotherapy drugs cytarabine and daunorubicin. Rydapt is not used alone to treat AML.
- Certain types of systemic mastocytosis. This is a condition that affects immune cells (called mast cells), which may lead to blood cancer in rare cases. Types of systemic mastocytosis Rydapt treats include:
- aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM)
- systemic mastocytosis with associated hematological neoplasm (SM-AHN)
- mast cell leukemia (MCL), which is a type of cancer that can result from systemic mastocytosis
The active ingredient in Rydapt is midostaurin. Rydapt belongs to a group of drugs called kinase inhibitors.
This article describes the dosages of Rydapt, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about Rydapt, see this in-depth article.
This section describes the usual dosages of Rydapt. Keep reading to learn more.
All dosages are expressed in milligrams (mg).
| Condition | Dosage of Rydapt |
|---|---|
| AML | 50 mg taken twice daily with food (and with certain chemotherapy medications) |
| ASM, SM-AHN, and MCL | 100 mg taken twice daily with food |
What is Rydapt’s form?
Rydapt comes as an oral capsule.
What strength does Rydapt come in?
Rydapt comes in one strength of 25 mg.
What are the usual dosages of Rydapt?
Rydapt’s dosage varies based on the condition it’s being used to treat. The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dose your doctor prescribes. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for AML
The typical Rydapt dosage for adults with AML follows a 21-day treatment cycle. You’ll take Rydapt with either one or two chemotherapy drugs depending on your treatment phase.
- Induction phase: This is the first phase of treatment. On days 1 through 7, you’ll receive treatment with the two chemotherapy drugs cytarabine and daunorubicin. On days 8 through 21, you’ll take 50 mg of Rydapt twice daily (about every 12 hours) along with cytarabine and daunorubicin (and with food).
- Consolidation phase: This is the second phase of treatment. On days 1, 3, and 5, you’ll receive cytarabine. On days 8 through 21, you’ll take 50 mg of Rydapt twice daily (about every 12 hours) with high dose cytarabine (and with food).
Dosage for mastocytosis
For adults with types of systemic mastocytosis, the typical dosage of Rydapt is 100 mg taken twice per day (about every 12 hours) with food. You’ll take this drug as long as it’s effectively treating your condition and not causing severe side effects.
Is Rydapt used long term?
Maybe. For mastocytosis, how long you take Rydapt depends on how well it’s working to treat your condition and how you react to the drug’s side effects. For treating AML, Rydapt may be prescribed for up to six cycles of treatment. That may include up to two induction phase treatments and four consolidation phase treatments.
If you have questions about how long your Rydapt treatment is likely to last, talk with your doctor.
The dosage of Rydapt you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re taking the drug to treat
- side effects you may experience
Rydapt comes as a capsule you swallow. Do not crush, cut, or chew Rydapt capsules. Swallow them whole. If you have trouble swallowing capsules, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.
Your doctor will likely prescribe anti-nausea medications with Rydapt to lower your risk of nausea and vomiting with treatment.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Rydapt, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
Let your pharmacist know if you have trouble opening medication bottles. They may have tips to help, or they may be able to supply Rydapt in an easy-open container.
If you miss (or vomit up) a dose of Rydapt, take your next dose at its usual scheduled time. Do not take two doses of Rydapt to make up for the missed dose.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Rydapt on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Rydapt than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
What to do in case you take too much Rydapt
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Rydapt. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Rydapt’s dosage.
Is Rydapt’s dosage similar to that of Nexavar?
No. Rydapt (midostaurin) and Nexavar (sorafenib) are both kinase inhibitors used to treat certain types of cancer. But the uses, forms, dosages, and how often you take each drug differ.
Rydapt is approved to treat AML and types of systemic mastocytosis. Nexavar is approved to treat types of thyroid, liver, and kidney cancers. Nexavar may be used off-label to treat AML in certain cases. (With off-label use, a drug is prescribed for a condition it isn’t approved to treat.)
Rydapt comes as an oral capsule that’s taken with food. Nexavar comes as an oral tablet that’s taken on an empty stomach.
Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you. Talk with them to learn more about how these drugs compare.
How long does it take for Rydapt to start working?
Rydapt starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel it working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to be sure the drug is effectively treating your condition. Talk with them if you have other questions about what to expect from your Rydapt treatment.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by Rydapt’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Do not change your dosage of Rydapt without their recommendation. Only take Rydapt exactly as prescribed.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage. Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask them:
- Will my dosage need adjustments if I have liver problems or kidney problems?
- Would a lower dose still work to treat my condition if I have side effects from my regular dose?
- How does the dosage of Rydapt compare with that of Xospata (gilteritinib)?
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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.