vorinostat
vorinostat
Pronunciation:
vor-IN-o-stat
Other Name(s):
Zolinza®
Appearance:
White capsule
This handout gives general information about this cancer medication.
You will learn:
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who to contact for help
-
what the medication is
-
how it is given
-
what to expect while on medication
This handout was created by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) together with patients and their caregivers who have also gone through cancer treatment. It is meant to help support you through your cancer treatment and answer some of your questions.
This information does not replace the advice of your health care team. Always talk to your health care team about your treatment.
My cancer health care provider is: _____________________________________________
During the day I should contact: _______________________________________________
Evenings, weekends and holidays: _____________________________________________
This page gives general information about this cancer medication.
You will learn:
-
who to contact for help
-
what the medication is
-
how it is given
-
what to expect while on this medication
This information was created by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) together with patients and their caregivers who have also gone through cancer treatment. It is meant to help support you through your cancer treatment and answer some of your questions.
This information does not replace the advice of your health care team. Always talk to your health care team about your treatment.
For treating effects on the skin in T-cell lymphoma (also known as CTCL)
Tell your health care team if you have or had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have / had:
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diabetes,
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liver problems,
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blood clots,
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heart disease (including any family history of irregular heartbeat or sudden death),
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abnormal electrolytes,
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eating disorders, or
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any allergies
Remember To:
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Tell your health care team about all of the other medications you are taking.
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Keep taking other medications that have been prescribed for you, unless you have been told not to by your health care team.
You will have a blood test to check for hepatitis B before starting treatment. See the Hepatitis B and Cancer Medications pamphlet for more information.
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Vorinostat is usually taken once a day.
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Take it exactly as directed by your doctor. Make sure you understand the instructions.
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Do not crush or open the capsules.
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Take vorinostat whole, with a full glass of water either during or just after a meal.
| DO this while on treatment | DO NOT do this while on treatment | |
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DO check with your health care team before getting any vaccinations, surgery, dental work or other medical procedures.
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DO drink at least 8 glasses (8 x 250 mL) of liquid every day to prevent dehydration.
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DO NOT take any other medications, such as vitamins, over-the-counter (non-prescription) drugs or substances, or natural health products without checking with your health care team.
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DO NOT start any complementary or alternative therapies, such as acupuncture or homeopathic products, without checking with your health care team.
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DO NOT use tobacco products (such as smoking cigarettes or vaping) or drink alcohol while on treatment without talking to your health care team first. Smoking and drinking can make side effects worse and make your treatment not work as well.
Yes, this medication can interact with other medications, vitamins, foods, traditional medicines and natural health products. Interactions can make this medication not work as well or cause severe side effects.
Tell your health care team about all of your:
- prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications
- other drugs and substances, such as cannabis/marijuana (medical or recreational)
- natural health products such as vitamins, herbal teas, homeopathic medicines, and other supplements, or traditional medicines
Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
- Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or Aspirin®.
- Over-the-counter products such as dimenhydrinate (Gravol®)
- Natural health products such as St. John’s Wort
- Traditional medicines
- Supplements such as vitamin C
- Grapefruit juice
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tobacco
- All other drugs or substances, such as marijuana or cannabis (medical or recreational)
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Always check your temperature to see if you have a fever before taking any medications for fever or pain (such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®)).
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Fever can be a sign of infection that may need treatment right away.
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If you take these medications before you check for fever, they may lower your temperature and you may not know you have an infection.
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How to check for fever:
Keep a digital (electronic) thermometer at home and take your temperature if you feel hot or unwell (for example, chills, headache, mild pain).
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You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
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38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time
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OR
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38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher for at least one hour.
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If you do have a fever:
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Try to contact your health care team. If you are not able to talk to them for advice, you MUST get emergency medical help right away.
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Ask your health care team for the Fever pamphlet for more information.
If you do not have a fever but have mild symptoms such as headache or mild pain:
- Ask your health care team about the right medication for you. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is a safe choice for most people.
Talk to your health care team before you start taking ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or ASA (Aspirin®), as they may increase your chance of bleeding or interact with your cancer treatment.
Talk to your health care team if you already take low dose aspirin for a medical condition (such as a heart problem). It may still be safe to take.
Talk to your health care team about:
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How this treatment may affect your sexual health
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How this treatment may affect your ability to have a baby, if this applies to you
This treatment may harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care team if you or your partner are pregnant, become pregnant during treatment, or are breastfeeding.
- If there is any chance you may become pregnant, you and your partner together must use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time until at least 6 months after your last dose. Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.
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If you are a patient that can get somebody pregnant, you and your partner together must use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time until at least 3 months after your last dose. Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.
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Do not breastfeed while on this treatment.
Keep this medication in the original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and light. Keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.
Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.
If you are a patient:
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Wash your hands before and after touching your oral anti-cancer medication.
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Swallow each capsule whole. Do not crush or chew your capsules.
If you are a caregiver:
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Wear nitrile or latex gloves when touching tablets, capsules or liquids.
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Wash your hands before putting on your gloves and after taking them off, even if your skin did not touch the oral anti-cancer medication.
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Throw out your gloves after each use. Do not re-use gloves.
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Do not touch oral anti-cancer medications if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If medication gets on your skin:
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Wash your skin with a lot of soap and water.
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If your skin gets red or irritated, talk to your health care team.
If medication gets in your eyes:
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Rinse your eyes with running water right away. Keep water flowing over your open eyes for at least 15 minutes.
The following side effects are common or severe. You may not have all of the side effects. Other side effects may occur. If you have any unusual or bothersome symptoms, discuss with your doctor.
| More Common Side Effects | |
| Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
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Diarrhea
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
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Tiredness
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
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Nausea and vomiting (generally mild)
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
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Poor Appetite; don't feel like eating; weight loss
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
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Unusual taste, dry mouth
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
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Hair thinning or loss
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Talk to your health care team if this bothers you |
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Muscle pain or spasms |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
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Abnormal kidney function lab tests
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
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Constipation
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
| Less Common Side Effects, but may be Severe | |
| Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
| Blood clot (limb pain or swelling, hardened vein in limb), may occur in lungs (sudden start of coughing, breathing problems, chest pain, coughing blood) | Get emergency medical help right away |
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Unusual bleeding or bruising
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Get emergency medical help right away |
| Blockage of an artery (blood vessel) in your heart, brain, chest, belly, or limbs; this may result in stroke (sudden loss of vision, speech, or the use of your limb(s)) or heart attack (chest pain, shortness of breath), or pain in chest, belly or limb | Get emergency medical help right away |
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Rupture in stomach or intestine wall Abnormal connections forming between body organs (severe pain, sudden bowel or digestion changes) |
Get emergency medical help right away |
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Immune system attacking spinal nerves
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Get emergency medical help right away |
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Allergic reaction (severe rash, itchiness, swollen face, lip or tongue, chest or throat tightness; may occur during or shortly after the drug is given) |
Get emergency medical help right away |
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Irregular heartbeat
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Get emergency medical help right away |
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Inflammation of blood vessels in the brain, kidney or skin |
Contact your health care team as soon as possible (office hours) |
For more information on how to manage your symptoms ask your health care provider, or visit: https://www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.
March 2026 Updated/revised information sheet
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.