This medication is used to treat a certain type of lung
cancer (non-small cell lung cancer). Tepotinib belongs to a class of drugs
known as kinase inhibitors. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of
cancer cells.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking tepotinib and each time you get a
refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with food as directed by
your doctor, usually once daily. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew,
crush, or split the tablets.
If you have trouble swallowing the tablets whole, place
the tablets in a cup with 30 milliliters (1 ounce) of non-carbonated water.
Stir well until the tablets break into small pieces. Do not crush the
tablets. The tablets will not completely dissolve. Drink all of the mixture
without chewing, right away or within 1 hour. Add more water (30
milliliters/1 ounce) to the cup and drink all of the mixture to make sure
you are getting all of the drug. Use only non-carbonated water for mixing.
Do not prepare a supply ahead of time.
If you are giving this mixture through a tube into the
stomach (such as a nasogastric tube), ask your health care professional for
detailed instructions on how to give it.
If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take another
dose. Take your next dose at your regular scheduled time.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and
response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more
often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any
faster, and your risk of side effects will increase.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
tablets.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, swelling,
tiredness, abdominal pain, muscle/joint pain, and loss of appetite may
occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or
pharmacist promptly.
People using this medication may have serious side
effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor
has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side
effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your
risk.
This medication may lower your ability to fight
infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal)
infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away
if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go
away, fever, chills, cough).
Tepotinib can cause severe (possibly fatal) lung
problems (interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis). Tell your doctor right
away if you have any symptoms of lung problems (such as cough, shortness of
breath, trouble breathing, fever).
Tepotinib may cause serious (possibly fatal) liver
disease. Your doctor will test your liver function while you are taking
this medication. Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of
liver damage, such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite,
stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking tepotinib, tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product
may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or
other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- liver problems
- lung or breathing problems other than your lung cancer
- recent/current infection
Tepotinib can make you more likely to get infections or
may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an
infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles,
flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for
more details.
Tell your health care professional that you are using
tepotinib before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with
people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine
inhaled through the nose).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
tablets.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. You should not become pregnant while taking tepotinib. Tepotinib
may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor should order a pregnancy test before
you start this medication. Men and women using this medication should ask
about reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for 1 week after
the last dose. If you or your partner becomes pregnant, talk to your doctor
right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk.
Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not
recommended while using this drug and for 1 week after the last dose.
Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as liver function,
complete blood count, amylase/lipase level) should be done while you are
taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your
doctor for more details.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is within 8 hours of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store in the original package at room temperature away
from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications
away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.
Your condition can cause complications in a medical
emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call
1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).