Mavacamten

What is this medication for?

Mavacamten is used in the treatment of symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition where your heart muscle is thickened. This causes blockage of blood flowing out of the heart and results in breathlessness and chest discomfort when you exert yourself.  Mavacamten works by relaxing the heart muscles and reducing the obstruction of blood flow to the body. 

How should I take or use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• You may take this medication with or without food.
• This medication should be swallowed whole. Do not break, open, or chew the capsules. 

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember if it is not close to the next dose. Otherwise, you should skip the dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses together to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if: 

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you find out you are pregnant, stop the medication immediately. Taking this medication can cause harm to the developing fetus.
  • Use effective birth control during treatment with Mavacamten and for at least 4 months after the last dose. Discuss contraception with your doctor or pharmacist.
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications, and herbal remedies. 

What are some common side effects of this medication? ​

• Dizziness, lightheadedness or faintness
  • Getting up slowly or changing posture slowly may help. Take a rest by sitting or lying down if you feel dizzy.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately? 

Rarely, Mavacamten may lead to a worsening of heart function. As such, your healthcare provider may require you to go for monthly scans of your heart to ensure the safety and efficacy of this medication. Some symptoms that you should keep a lookout for include:

• Swelling of your leg
• Shortness of breath
• Reduced exercise tolerance
• Palpitations
• Irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain or tightness

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

You can also find out about drug allergies by watching these videos:

For videos in 中文, Melayu and தமிழ், click here

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Some medications may interact with Mavacamten. However, these medications may also be important for your treatment. Inform your healthcare professional of the other medications you are currently taking. Examples include:

• Proton pump inhibitors (e.g. omeprazole, esomeprazole)
• Antibiotics (e.g. clarithromycin, rifampicin)
• Calcium channel blockers (e.g. verapamil, diltiazem)
• Antidepressants (e.g. fluoxetine, fluvoxamine)
• Antifungals (e.g. fluconazole, ketoconazole)
• Antivirals (e.g. Ritonavir)

Avoid taking grapefruit when you are taking this medicine as grapefruit may interact with your medicine and increase the risk of side-effects.

How should I store this medication?

• Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children

How do I throw away this medication safely? ​

• Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.