Retevmo (Selpercatinib)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Retevmo Used For?
Retevmo is an anti-cancer prescription medicine that targets specific types of cancer caused by changes in the RET gene.
Primary Uses
Retevmo treats lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults, and a rare type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer in adults and adolescents 12 years and older. Your doctor will perform a test to check if your cancer has a change in the RET gene to make sure Retevmo is right for you.
How It Works
In patients whose cancer has an altered RET gene, the change causes the body to make an abnormal RET protein, which can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer. Retevmo blocks the action of the abnormal RET protein and may slow or stop the growth of the cancer. It may also help shrink the cancer.
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How to Take Retevmo
Your doctor will prescribe the right dose for you based on your body weight. Take Retevmo exactly as prescribed.
Dosage Instructions
The maximum recommended dose is: for patients with less than 50 kg body weight: 120 mg twice a day; for patients with 50 kg body weight or greater: 160 mg twice a day. Take Retevmo twice a day at about the same time every day, preferably in the morning and evening. Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush or split the capsule. You can take the capsules with or without food. If taking proton pump inhibitors (like omeprazole), take Retevmo with a full meal. If taking H2 blockers (like ranitidine), take Retevmo 2 hours before or 10 hours after taking them. If taking antacids containing aluminum, magnesium, calcium, simethicone, or buffered medicines, take Retevmo 2 hours before or 2 hours after.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you vomit after taking the dose or forget a dose, take your next dose at your usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten or vomited dose.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed or vomited dose
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:
- Swelling of arms, legs, hands or feet
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Dry mouth
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Rash
- Nausea
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Decreased appetite
- Fever
- Inflamed and sore mouth
- Bladder infections
- Difficulty getting and keeping an erection
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe lung inflammation or fluid accumulation
- Liver problems (yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, stomach pain)
- High blood pressure
- Bleeding problems (vomiting blood, coughing blood, unusual bleeding)
- Heart rhythm changes (fainting, dizziness, heart palpitations)
- Low thyroid hormone levels
- Severe lung infection (pneumonia)
- Allergic reactions
- Severe skin reactions (blistering or peeling)
- Hip joint problems in patients under 18 years
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Retevmo.
Who Should Not Take Retevmo
Do not take Retevmo if you are allergic to selpercatinib or any of the ingredients listed in the medication guide.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: liver problems, lung or breathing problems other than lung cancer, high blood pressure, heart problems including QT prolongation, bleeding problems, history of kidney problems or low blood pressure, problems with your thyroid or thyroid hormone levels.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Retevmo can harm your unborn baby. Females who can become pregnant should use effective birth control while taking Retevmo and for at least one week after the final dose. Males with female partners who can become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 1 week after the final dose. Do not breastfeed while taking Retevmo and for at least 1 week after the last dose.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Retevmo and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- Antifungal medicines (itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole)
- HIV medicines (ritonavir, saquinavir, darunavir)
- Epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital)
- Tuberculosis medicines (rifampicin, rifabutin)
- St. John’s wort
- Sedatives (midazolam)
- Anesthetic medicines (alfentanil)
- Erectile dysfunction medicines (avanafil, vardenafil)
- Cancer medicines (enzalutamide, paclitaxel, sorafenib)
- Pain medicines (buprenorphine)
- Heart medicines (digoxin)
- Blood thinners (dabigatran)
- Cholesterol medicines (simvastatin)
- Thyroid medicines (levothyroxine)
- Stomach acid medicines (omeprazole, ranitidine, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors)
- Asthma medicines (montelukast)
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or using machinery as Retevmo may affect your ability to perform these activities safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Retevmo affects you. Retevmo may make you feel tired or dizzy.
Storage
Keep your capsules in the original pack until it is time to take them. Store below 30°C. Keep it where young children cannot reach it. Do not take this medicine if the inner seal is broken or the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Overdose Information
If you think that you have taken too much Retevmo, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Retevmo works by blocking the abnormal RET protein and may slow or stop the growth of cancer. It may also help shrink the cancer. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular tests.
You can take Retevmo capsules with or without food. However, if you are taking proton pump inhibitors (like omeprazole), you should take Retevmo with a full meal.
If you forget a dose or vomit after taking it, take your next dose at your usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten or vomited dose.
You will need regular blood tests to check liver function and electrolytes, blood pressure checks, ECG testing to monitor heart rhythm, and thyroid function tests.
Retevmo can affect wound healing. Tell your doctor if you plan to have surgery. You may need to stop taking Retevmo at least 7 days before planned surgery and at least 2 weeks after surgery.
Both males and females should use effective birth control while taking Retevmo and for at least one week after the final dose, as Retevmo can harm an unborn baby.
Call your doctor right away if you experience signs of bleeding, liver problems, lung problems (breathlessness, cough, fever), fainting, or if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
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.