Erivedge (Vismodegib)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Erivedge Used For?
Erivedge contains vismodegib and belongs to a group of medicines called anti-neoplastic (anti-cancer) agents. It is specifically designed to treat a type of skin cancer in adults.
Primary Uses
Erivedge is used to treat adults with advanced basal cell carcinoma when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) or has spread to surrounding areas (locally advanced) and your doctor has determined that surgery or radiation treatment is not appropriate. Surgery and radiation may not be suitable if they would cause deformity, loss of body part function, the cancer has returned after previous surgeries, or radiation was previously unsuccessful.
How It Works
Erivedge works by controlling a key protein involved in basal cell carcinoma. It may slow or stop cancer cells from growing, or may kill them, which can cause your skin cancer to shrink.
Good to know: This medicine is not addictive and is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
How to Take Erivedge
Taking Erivedge correctly is important for your treatment to be effective. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
Dosage Instructions
The recommended dose is one 150mg capsule once a day, taken at about the same time each day. Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush, open or chew the capsule. Erivedge can be taken with or without food. Continue taking it for as long as your doctor tells you – the length of treatment depends on how you respond.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time and it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, and always swallow capsules whole – never crush, open or chew them.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
- Fatigue and unusual weakness
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite
- Change in taste or loss of taste
- Dehydration symptoms (dry mouth, low urine output, dark urine, no tears, sunken eyes)
- Muscle spasms
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Loss of eyelashes
- Abnormal hair growth
- Loss of menstrual periods
- Pain in chest, back, side, tendons, ligaments, joints, bones or arms and legs
- Muscle aching, tenderness or weakness not caused by exercise
- Abnormalities in blood test results
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of serious allergic reaction: shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue/other body parts, rash, itching or hives on skin
Important Warnings
Erivedge has serious warnings that you must understand before starting treatment, particularly regarding pregnancy and fertility.
Who Should Not Take Erivedge
Do not use Erivedge if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or planning to become pregnant during treatment or for 24 months after your final dose. Do not use if you are a woman able to have children but unable or unwilling to use two acceptable forms of birth control during treatment and for 24 months after. Do not use if breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Erivedge or any of its ingredients, or if the package is damaged or expired.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, plan to donate blood or sperm (you must not donate blood for 24 months after final dose, or sperm for 2 months after final dose), or if you are allergic to vismodegib or any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Erivedge may cause severe birth defects and may lead to death of a baby before birth or shortly after. Women able to have children must use two acceptable forms of contraception during treatment and for 24 months after the final dose, with monthly pregnancy tests. Men must use condoms (with spermicide if available) during treatment and for 2 months after final dose. The active ingredient may pass into breast milk, so you must not breastfeed during treatment and for 24 months after the last dose.
Children and Adolescents: Erivedge should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years old. Premature fusion of growth plates has been reported in pediatric patients, and in some cases, fusion continued even after stopping the drug.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Erivedge and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Birth Control Interaction: Antibiotics and herbal medicines like St. John’s wort can make female birth control less effective, which is especially important given Erivedge’s pregnancy warnings.
- Ezetimibe and statins (atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin) – used for high cholesterol
- Bosentan – used for high blood pressure in vessels between heart and lungs
- Glibenclamide – used for diabetes
- Valsartan and olmesartan – used for high blood pressure and heart problems
- Antibiotics and herbal medicines like St. John’s wort – can make female birth control less effective
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with activities requiring alertness until you know how Erivedge affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the prescribing information.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Erivedge affects you. It is not known if Erivedge affects your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Storage
Keep your capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep capsules in the bottle with the cap tightly closed until it’s time to take them. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, on a window sill, or in the car. Keep where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Erivedge, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long you will be treated with Erivedge depends on how you are responding to treatment. Your doctor will discuss this with you and monitor your progress through regular appointments.
Yes, Erivedge can be taken with or without food. Take it at about the same time each day for best results.
No, this medicine is not addictive.
Do not stop taking Erivedge or change the dose without first checking with your doctor. Continue taking it for as long as your doctor tells you.
If you miss your dose and it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to. Never take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
No, you must not donate blood while taking Erivedge and for 24 months after your final dose. If a pregnant woman receives your donated blood, the baby may develop birth defects.
Women able to have children must use two acceptable forms of contraception (one barrier and one non-barrier method) during treatment and for 24 months after the final dose. Men must always use a condom with spermicide during treatment and for 2 months after the final dose.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.