Description
Tepotinib is used to treat metastatic (cancer that has already spread) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose tumors have an abnormal mesenchymal epithelial transition (MET) gene. Your doctor will perform a test to check for the MET gene before you use this medicine.
Tepotinib belongs to the group of medicines called antineoplastics (cancer medicines). It works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Tablet
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of tepotinib in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of tepotinib in the elderly.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine, Live
- Colchicine
- Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine, Live
- Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
- Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
- Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Smallpox Monkeypox Vaccine
- Typhoid Vaccine
- Varicella Virus Vaccine
- Yellow Fever Vaccine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live
- Adenovirus Vaccine Type 7, Live
- Carbamazepine
- Cholera Vaccine
- Clarithromycin
- Cyclosporine
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Digoxin
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Ebola Zaire Vaccine, Live
- Ensartinib
- Everolimus
- Fedratinib
- Fexinidazole
- Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
- Itraconazole
- Lefamulin
- Mavorixafor
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Omaveloxolone
- Phenobarbital
- Posaconazole
- Primidone
- Relugolix
- Repotrectinib
- Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
- Sirolimus
- Tacrolimus
- Tenofovir Alafenamide
- Venetoclax
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Liver disease or
- Lung or breathing problems (eg, interstitial lung disease, pneumonitis) or
- Pancreas problems—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
Proper Use
Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
It is best to take this medicine with food. Take the medicine at the same time each day.
Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
If you are unable to swallow the tablet whole:
- Place the tablet in a glass with 30 mL of non-carbonated water. Do not use any other liquid.
- Stir the mixture until the tablet is dispersed into small pieces. Do not crush the tablet.
- Swallow the mixture right away of within 1 hour of mixing. Do not chew the tablet.
- Rinse the glass with another 30 mL of non-carbonated water and swallow the mixture until no pieces of tablet are left in the glass.
You may also give the medicine through a nasogastric tube:
- Place the tablet in a glass with 30 mL of non-carbonated water. Do not use any other liquid.
- Give the mixture right away into the feeding tube or within 1 hour.
- Add 30 mL of non-carbonated water into the same glass and flush through the tube. Repeat this step to make sure that no pieces of tablet are left in the glass or syringe.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For non-small cell lung cancer:
- Adults—450 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For non-small cell lung cancer:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
If you miss a dose and it is less than 8 hours until your next regular dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take an extra dose. Take the next dose at the regular time.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. It may also cause birth defects if the father is using it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before starting treatment. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for at least 1 week after the last dose. Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant should use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for at least 1 week after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
This medicine may cause swelling of the lungs (pneumonitis) or interstitial lung disease. These are life-threatening conditions and require immediate medical attention. The symptoms may be similar to the symptoms from lung cancer. Check with your doctor right away if you have new or worsening cough, fever, or trouble breathing.
Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.
This medicine may cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Check with your doctor right away if you have bloating, chills, constipation, darkened urine, fast heartbeat, fever, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea, pain in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Anxiety
- chest pain or tightness
- cough
- dark urine
- difficult or labored breathing
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- fainting
- fast heartbeat
- fever or chills
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- loss of appetite
- muscle or bone pain
- nausea or vomiting
- sneezing
- sore throat
- stomach pain
- thickening of bronchial secretions
- trouble breathing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
- Bloating
- chills
- indigestion
- pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- weight loss
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Constipation
- diarrhea
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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