Selpercatinib is used to treat cancers of the lung and thyroid gland. It is used in individuals with certain abnormal changes in the gene called rearranged during transfection (RET).
This medicine is used for those whose tumour has spread to other parts of the body.
Selpercatinib may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Selpercatinib exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not divide, chew, or crush the capsule.
If you are taking medicines that reduce stomach acid production called proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, and pantoprazole, take Selpercatinib with food.
If you vomit after taking Selpercatinib, do not repeat the dose. Take the next dose at your normal scheduled time.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your response to the medication.
Selpercatinib must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
If you miss a dose and it is more than 6 hours before the next dose is due, take the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure as Selpercatinib may not be suitable for you.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine and for at least 1 week after stopping the treatment.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart rhythm problems
- history of kidney problems
- fast-growing tumours or a high number of cancer cells or tumour size
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant.
Women who may become pregnant and men with partners that may become pregnant must use proven birth control methods during Selpercatinib therapy and for at least 1 week after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss birth control methods with your doctor or pharmacist.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests and verification of RET gene must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to take.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver and thyroid function, electrolyte levels, ECG [test used to record the electrical activity of the heart]) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may rise to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
- Regular monitoring of signs and symptoms of allergic reactions, lung problems, bleeding, and tumour lysis syndrome (a condition caused by a fast breakdown of cancer cells) may also be needed.
Selpercatinib may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, lack of appetite, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, constipation, dry mouth, cough, fever, and tiredness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- unusual bleeding or bruising, coughing up blood, passing out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
- signs and symptoms of lung problems e.g. shortness of breath, cough, fever
- signs and symptoms of liver problems e.g. yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- signs and symptoms of allergic reaction e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- signs and symptoms of tumour lysis syndrome e.g. shortness of breath, muscle cramps or weakness, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling sluggish
- loss of consciousness or fainting, fast or abnormal heartbeats
- weight gain, feeling cold, tiredness that worsens or persists
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. diltiazem, verapamil
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. itraconazole, fluconazole
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. efavirenz
- medicines used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs) e.g. selexipag, bosentan
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. simvastatin, lomitapide
- dasabuvir (medicine for hepatitis C infection)
- repaglinide (medicine for diabetes)
- paclitaxel (other medicine for cancer)
- rifampicin (medicine for TB, a lung infection known as tuberculosis)
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Selpercatinib.
This medicine should not be taken with antacids or medicines that reduce stomach acid production called H
2-receptor antagonists (e.g. famotidine, cimetidine) as these medicines could reduce the effectiveness of Selpercatinib. If you must take any of these medicines, take Selpercatinib at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking the antacid or take Selpercatinib at least 2 hours before or 10 hours after taking the H
2-receptor antagonist.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
As Selpercatinib is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired medicine to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
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