Retevmo

September 16th, 2021 | drugs

Generic Name: selpercatinib (capsules)

Retevmo is a prescription medicine that is used to treat certain cancers caused by abnormal RET genes in:

  • adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread.
  • adults and children 12 years of age and older with advanced medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or MTC that has spread who require a medicine by mouth or injection (systemic therapy).
  • adults and children 12 years of age and older with advanced thyroid cancer or thyroid cancer that has spread who require a medicine by mouth or injection (systemic therapy) and who have received radioactive iodine and it did not work or is no longer working.

Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure that Retevmo is right for you.

It is not known if this medicine is safe and effective in children younger than 12 years of age.

Before taking Retevmo

Before taking Retevmo, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have liver problems
  • have high blood pressure
  • have heart problems including a condition called QT prolongation
  • have bleeding problems
  • plan to have surgery. You should stop taking Retevmo at least 7 days before your planned surgery. See Retevmo side effects.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Retevmo can harm your unborn baby. You should not become pregnant during treatment.
    • If you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare provider will do a pregnancy test before you start treatment.
    • Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for at least 1 week after the final dose. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that may be right for you.
    • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you might be pregnant during treatment.
    • Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment, and for at least 1 week after the final dose.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Retevmo passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment, and for 1 week after the last dose.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Certain other medicines may affect how Retevmo works.

You should avoid taking St. John’s wort, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs such as dexlansoprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole sodium, rabeprazole), H2 blockers (such as famotidine, nizatidine, and cimetidine), and antacids that contain aluminum, magnesium, calcium, simethicone, or buffered medicines during treatment with Retevmo. If you cannot avoid taking PPIs, H2 blockers, or antacids, see “How should I take Retevmo?” for more information on how to take Retevmo with these medicines.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I take Retevmo?

  • Take Retevmo exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.
  • Your healthcare provider may stop treatment or change your dose if you have side effects. Do not change your dose or stop treatment unless your healthcare provider tells you.
  • Retevmo is taken by mouth, usually 2 times a day with or without food.
  • If you take a proton-pump inhibitor (PPIs such as dexlansoprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole sodium, and rabeprazole), take Retevmo with food.
  • Retevmo doses should be separated by 12 hours.
  • If you take an antacid that contains aluminum, magnesium, calcium, simethicone, or buffered medicines, take Retevmo 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking the antacid.
  • If you take an H2 blocker (such as famotidine, nizatidine, and cimetidine), take Retevmo 2 hours before or 10 hours after taking the H2 blocker.
  • Swallow Retevmo capsules whole. Do not chew or crush the capsules.
  • If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take an extra dose. Take the next dose at your scheduled time.
  • Do not take a missed dose unless it is more than 6 hours until your next scheduled dose.
  • If you take too much Retevmo, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Retevmo side effects

Retevmo may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Liver problems. Liver problems (increased liver enzymes) are common with Retevmo and may sometimes be serious. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests before and during treatment to check for liver problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms of liver problems during treatment:
    • yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes (jaundice)
    • dark “tea-colored” urine
    • sleepiness
    • bleeding or bruising
    • loss of appetite
    • nausea or vomiting
    • pain on the upper right side of your stomach area

Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop treatment, lower your dose, or permanently stop treatment if you develop liver problems with Retevmo.

  • High blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure is common with Retevmo and may sometimes be serious. You should check your blood pressure regularly during treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you get any of the following symptoms:
    • confusion
    • headaches
    • shortness of breath
    • dizziness
    • chest pain
  • Heart rhythm changes (QT prolongation) can occur and may be serious. Retevmo may cause very slow, very fast or irregular heartbeats. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms:
    • loss of consciousness
    • fainting
    • dizziness
    • a change in the way your heart beats (heart palpitations)
  • Bleeding problems. Retevmo can cause bleeding which can be serious and may lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs of bleeding during treatment, including:
    • vomiting blood or if your vomit looks like coffee-grounds
    • pink or brown urine
    • red or black (looks like tar) stools
    • coughing up blood or blood clots
    • unusual bleeding or bruising of your skin
    • menstrual bleeding that is heavier than normal
    • unusual vaginal bleeding
    • nose bleeds that happen often
    • drowsiness or difficulty being awakened
    • confusion
    • headache
    • change in speech
  • Allergic reactions. Retevmo can cause a fever, rash, muscle or joint pain, especially in the first month of treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you get any of these symptoms. Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop treatment or lower your dose.
  • Risk of wound healing problems. Wounds may not heal properly during treatment with Retevmo. Tell your healthcare provider if you plan to have any surgery before or during treatment with Retevmo.
    • You should stop taking Retevmo at least 7 days before planned surgery.
    • Your healthcare provider should tell you when you may start taking Retevmo again after surgery.

The most common side effects include:

  • increased levels of liver enzymes
  • increased blood sugar levels
  • decrease in white blood cell count
  • decreased protein levels (albumin) in the blood
  • decreased levels of calcium in the blood
  • dry mouth
  • diarrhea
  • increased creatinine (kidney function test)
  • high blood pressure
  • tiredness
  • swelling of your arms, legs, hands, and feet (peripheral edema)
  • decrease in platelet count
  • increased cholesterol levels
  • rash
  • decreased levels of salt (sodium) in the blood
  • constipation

Retevmo may affect fertility in females and males, which may affect your ability to have children. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.

These are not all the possible side effects.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store Retevmo?

  • Store Retevmo capsules at room temperature between 68˚F to 77˚F (20˚C to 25˚C).
  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and pets.

General information about the safe and effective use of Retevmo.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use this medicine for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give it to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients in Retevmo?

Active ingredient: selpercatinib
Inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, colloidal silicon dioxide
Capsule: gelatin, titanium dioxide and edible ink

 

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