If you’re considering treatment options for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), your doctor might suggest Xospata for you. It’s a prescription drug that’s used to treat AML in certain adults.
Xospata is a kind of targeted cancer therapy that comes as tablets that you swallow. Xospata belongs to a group of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which target and attack cancer cells.
The active ingredient in Xospata is gilteritinib. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
This article describes the dosage of Xospata, as well as its strength and how to take the drug. To learn more about Xospata, see this in-depth article.
Note: This chart highlights the basics of Xospata’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more detail. And keep in mind that this article covers Xospata’s standard dosage schedule, which is provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But always follow the dosing instructions your doctor prescribes.
| Xospata form | Xospata strength | Usual dosage |
| tablet | 40 milligrams (mg) | 120 mg taken once daily |
Below is information that describes Xospata’s commonly prescribed dosage. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
What is the form of Xospata?
Xospata comes as a tablet that you swallow.
What strength does Xospata come in?
Xospata comes in 40-milligram (mg) tablets.
What is the usual dosage of Xospata?
The usual dosage of Xospata is 120 mg taken once daily.
Usually, your doctor will start you taking the recommended daily dose. Then they’ll monitor you during treatment and make dosage adjustments as needed. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
Is Xospata taken long term?
Yes, Xospata is usually a long-term treatment. It’s recommended that you take Xospata for at least 6 months. After this time, your doctor can determine whether the drug is the best treatment option for you.
If you and your doctor determine that Xospata is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
The dosage of Xospata you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- certain serious side effects that you might experience
- other conditions you may have
Xospata comes as tablets that you swallow. You’ll take the drug once per day, and you should try to take it around the same time each day. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body.
You should swallow the tablets whole without breaking, crushing, or chewing them. You can take Xospata with or without food.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips that may help.
For information on Xospata expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code that 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.
If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Xospata in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also have some tips that can help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
If you miss your dose of Xospata, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s within 12 hours of when you’re supposed to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its regular time. You should not take two doses within 12 hours of each other. Doing so can raise your risk of serious side effects.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Xospata on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
Don’t take more Xospata than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.
What to do in case you take too much Xospata
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Xospata. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control 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.
The sections above describe the standard dosage provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Xospata for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you shouldn’t change your dosage of Xospata without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Xospata 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 your doctor:
- If I have other health conditions, will you adjust my dosage of Xospata?
- How will you change my Xospata dosage if I experience a serious side effect?
- How does the dosage of Xospata compare with other targeted cancer drugs?
- Will you adjust my dosage of Xospata if I’m taking other drugs along with it?
A:
No. If you have mild or moderate kidney or liver problems, your Xospata dosage shouldn’t need to change.
But it’s not known whether it’s safe for people with severe kidney or liver problems to take Xospata. If your condition is severe, your doctor will likely prescribe a drug other than Xospata for you.
If you have kidney or liver problems, talk with your doctor before starting Xospata treatment.
The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.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.