Uses
Selumetinib is used to treat neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1; a nervous system disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves) in children 2 years of age and older who have plexiform neurofibromas (PN; soft tumors) that cannot be completely removed by surgery.
Selumetinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals the tumors to grow. This helps to stop or slow tumor growth.
Side Effects Of Selumetinib
Selumetinib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- vomiting
- constipation
- stomach pain
- nausea
- dry skin
- headache
- mouth ulcers
- itching
- redness around the fingernails
- nose bleeding
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- hair loss or hair color changes
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- fever
- unusual bleeding
- pale skin or tiredness
- blurred vision; loss of vision; dark spots in your vision; or other vision changes
- diarrhea
- rash, skin blisters, or peeling
- muscle pain, aches, or weakness; or dark urine
- coughing or wheezing; shortness of breath; swelling of ankles and feet, or extreme tiredness
Selumetinib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking selumetinib:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to selumetinib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in selumetinib capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and voriconazole (Vfend); aprepitant (Emend); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); clopidogrel (Plavix); corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), budesonide (Entocort), cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak, Dexasone, others), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol, Meprolone, others), prednisolone (Prelone, others), and prednisone (Rayos); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); certain medications for HIV including indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase); idelalisib (Zydelig); nefazodone; phenobarbital; rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater); verapamil (Calan, Covera); and vitamin E supplements. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s wort.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had vision problems, difficulty swallowing, or heart or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if you plan on fathering a child. If you are female, you will need to take a pregnancy test before you start treatment and use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for at least 1 week after your final dose. If you are a male, you and your partner should use birth control during your treatment with selumetinib and for 1 week after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you or your partner become pregnant while taking selumetinib, call your doctor immediately. Selumetinib may harm the fetus.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you are taking selumetinib and for 1 week after the final dose.
Dosage Of Selumetinib
Selumetinib comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken twice a day on an empty stomach. Do not eat any food 2 hours before or for 1 hour after each dose. Take selumetinib at around the same time(s) every day, approximately 12 hours apart. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take selumetinib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the capsules whole with water; do not open, chew, or crush them.
If you vomit after taking selumetinib, do not take another dose. Continue your regular dosing schedule.
Your doctor may decrease your dose or temporarily or permanently stop your treatment if you experience certain side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with selumetinib.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor, eye doctor, and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests, including eye exams, before, during, and after your treatment to check your body’s response to selumetinib.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
