Resources
LONSURF
Starter Kit
The LONSURF® (trifluridine and tipiracil) tablets Starter Kit is meant to help you get the most out of your treatment. The materials provided are not meant to replace your healthcare provider's advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about any questions or concerns you have. Together, you and your healthcare provider can develop a personalized treatment plan based on your needs.
The LONSURF Starter Kit includes the following items:
- Patient Brochure
Contains information on how LONSURF can help, how to take it, tips on managing common side effects, and services that may be able to help with the cost of LONSURF (Available for download below). - Caregiver Brochure
Contains helpful information on LONSURF and tips and strategies to help caregivers care for you and themselves - Thermometer
A digital thermometer to check your temperature in case of fever - LONSURF Pillboxes
Pillboxes to help organize your LONSURF tablets: one for each treatment cycle
To request a LONSURF Starter Kit, you can:
Call 1‑844‑TAIHO‑4U (1‑844‑824‑4648) or visit
TaihoPatientSupport.com
Doctor Discussion Guide
Talking to your healthcare provider about LONSURF
If you or a loved one has colon, rectal or stomach cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and have previously been treated with or cannot receive certain chemotherapy, LONSURF might be another treatment option to consider.
Treatment options you may have already received
Look over the following options and check the treatment(s) you have already received:
Colon or rectal cancer:
- Fluoropyrimidine: such as 5‑fluorouracil, also known as 5‑FU
- Oxaliplatin‑based treatment: such as FOLFOX (5‑FU, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin); CAPOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin); or ELOXATIN® (oxaliplatin)
- Irinotecan‑based treatment: such as FOLFIRI (5‑FU, leucovorin, and irinotecan); CAPIRI (capecitabine and irinotecan); or CAMPTOSAR® (irinotecan)
- Anti‑VEGF biological therapy: such as AVASTIN® (bevacizumab); or ZALTRAP® (ziv‑aflibercept)
- Anti‑EGFR therapy: such as ERBITUX® (cetuximab); or VECTIBIX® (panitumumab)
Stomach cancer:
- Fluoropyrimidine: such as 5‑fluorouracil, also known as 5‑FU, and XELODA® (capecitabine)
- Platinum: such as ELOXATIN® (oxaliplatin) or PLATINOL® (cisplatin)
- Taxane and/or irinotecan‑based treatment: such as FOLFIRI (5‑FU, leucovorin, and irinotecan); or CAMPTOSAR® (irinotecan)
- HER‑2 inhibitor: HERCEPTIN® (trastuzumab)
If you aren't sure what treatments you've had in the past, ask your healthcare provider.
Do not use LONSURF if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in LONSURF. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are not sure whether you are allergic to any of the ingredients in LONSURF.
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What are the most common side effects caused by LONSURF?
Almost all patients treated with LONSURF experience side effects at some time. Some common side effects you may experience include:
- Tiredness (fatigue/weakness)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
Tell your healthcare provider if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that is severe or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of LONSURF.
Questions to ask your healthcare provider about LONSURF as a treatment option
- Based on the treatments previously taken, could LONSURF be right for me?
- How can LONSURF help?
- How does LONSURF work?
- How and where do I take LONSURF?
- What is the dosage schedule?
- What would my dose be?
- How often will I need to come in to the office with this treatment?
- What happens if I miss a dose?
- When should I call you if I'm having signs and symptoms of side effects?
- How can I help manage any side effects I may have?
- How will my treatment affect my daily activities or ability to work?
- Does Taiho Oncology offer any financial assistance programs?
Your doctor or nurse can help you find out whether LONSURF is right for you or your loved one. Be sure to bring this guide to your next appointment, and use the questions in it to help start the conversation.
Discussion Guide
Tips & tools
Nourishing recipes for your treatment journey
Discover nourishing, easy‑to‑follow recipes that you can make at home, all found in the NOURISH cookbook. Inside, you will find an easy‑to‑use system of color‑coded symbols and meal prep icons designed to help you manage some of the eating challenges associated with treatment.
Talk to your doctor before making any dietary changes. Discover cookbook
Managing side effects: Some tips to try
Find useful ideas on how to help manage some of the most common side effects associated with LONSURF. This information is not meant to replace your healthcare provider’s advice. Always discuss any side effects with your healthcare provider.
Get tips
Create your treatment calendar
Enter your LONSURF start date and morning and evening doses to receive a personalized treatment calendar. You can use your calendar to track your treatment, temperature, and any side effects you experience.
Create calendarSupport Groups
Get the support you need for metastatic colon, rectal or stomach cancer
Meeting and learning from other people living with colon, rectal or stomach cancer can be helpful. Connect with others online or in a local support group.
Trademarks, registered or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners.
Information for caregivers
The role of the caregiver
A caregiver provides more than just care for a patient. A caregiver is many things:
- An advocate
- A friend
- An extra set of hands
- A trusted comfort and guide along the treatment journey
Here are some things you may already do, but are good to keep in mind about the caregiver role:
- Educate yourself and stay informed about your loved one's treatment plan and schedule
- Organize an emergency contact list and a folder for important health resources
- Know your loved one's limits
- Go to check-ups with your loved one. He or she may not make sense of what the healthcare provider says. Listen closely so you can explain later
- Be honest and clear
Listening to your loved one is just as important as talking to him or her. Take what he or she says to heart. You do not need to have all the answers. Simply being an active listener can help your loved one find answers and feel heard.
Caring for yourself
You play a key part in your loved one's treatment journey. But you are not alone. There are family members, doctors, nurses, an extended care team, and other resources to help you and your loved one through this.
Being a caregiver is not easy. Cancer makes a big impact not only on the patient but also on those around him or her. It can take an emotional and physical toll. Sometimes, it is easy to forget about yourself. Your well-being has a direct effect on how well you care for your loved one.
It is important to maintain balance in your life. Find a little part of your day to relax and take care of yourself. Take some time to participate in the things you enjoy. Plan time for:
- Mental health: Have coffee with a friend or dinner with your wife, husband, or partner; watch a movie, read a book, or listen to music
- Physical health: Get regular exercise, go for a walk, stretch, do yoga, continue with any sports or clubs you are part of. Remember that a few minutes every day can still make a difference
- Emotional/spiritual health: Consider meditation, stay in touch with your religious community and/or social support networks, and try to appreciate the good things and people in your life
SEE ALL INDICATIONS
INDICATIONS
LONSURF is a prescription medicine used:
- alone or in combination with the medicine bevacizumab to treat adults with colorectal cancer:
- that has spread to other parts of the body, and
- who have been previously treated with certain chemotherapy medicines
- alone to treat adults with a kind of stomach cancer called gastric cancer including adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction:
- that has spread to other parts of the body, and
- who have been previously treated with at least 2 types of treatment which included certain medicines
It is not known if LONSURF is safe and effective in children.
INDICATIONS
LONSURF is a prescription medicine used:
- alone or in combination with the medicine bevacizumab to treat adults with colorectal cancer:
- that has spread to other parts of the body, and
- who have been previously treated with certain chemotherapy medicines
- alone to treat adults with a kind of stomach cancer called gastric cancer including adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction:
- that has spread to other parts of the body, and
- who have been previously treated with at least 2 types of treatment which included certain medicines
It is not known if LONSURF is safe and effective in children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
LONSURF may cause serious side effects, including:
- Low blood counts. Low blood counts are common with LONSURF and can sometimes be severe and life-threatening. LONSURF can cause a decrease in your white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Low white blood cells can make you more likely to get serious infections that could lead to death. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before you receive LONSURF, at day 15 during treatment with LONSURF, and as needed to check your blood cell counts. Your healthcare provider may lower your dose of LONSURF or stop LONSURF if you have low white blood cell or platelet counts
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following signs and symptoms of infection during treatment with LONSURF: fever, chills, or body aches.
Before taking LONSURF, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- Have kidney or liver problems
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. LONSURF can harm your unborn baby
- Females who can become pregnant: Your healthcare provider will do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with LONSURF. You should use effective birth control during and 6 months after the last dose of treatment with LONSURF. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you become pregnant
- Males, while on treatment and for 3 months after your last dose of LONSURF, you should use a condom during sex with female partners who are able to become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider right away if your partner becomes pregnant while you are taking LONSURF
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if LONSURF passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with LONSURF and for 1 day after your last dose of LONSURF
Tell your healthcare provider about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take.
The most common side effects of LONSURF when used alone include low blood counts, tiredness and weakness, nausea, decreased appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach-area (abdominal) pain, and fever.
The most common side effects of LONSURF when used in combination with bevacizumab include low blood counts, tiredness and weakness, nausea, certain abnormal liver function blood tests, decreased salt (sodium) in your blood, diarrhea, stomach-area (abdominal) pain, and decreased appetite.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that is severe or that does not go away.
These are not all of the possible side effects of LONSURF. For more information, ask your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.