Has your doctor prescribed Selumetinib for you or your child? I know you have a lot of questions about it because it's a bit of a special medication. That's normal. Don't worry, we'll talk simply and clearly about this medication, how it's used, possible side effects, and things to be especially careful about.
What kind of medicine is this? What exactly does it do?
Simply put, Selumetinib is a drug that is used to treat a condition called neurofibromatosis . This condition causes tumors to grow along the nerves in our body. So what this drug does is it blocks a specific protein that helps those tumor cells grow, divide, and multiply. More precisely, it controls the rate at which the tumors grow.
You can buy this medicine at the pharmacy under the brand name Koselugo . Sometimes, doctors may also prescribe this medicine for other medical conditions.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before starting this medication, it is essential to give your doctor a complete picture of your health condition. This is very important for your safety. If you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell them about them.
| What you need to know | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Bleeding disorder | This medicine may increase the risk of bleeding, so if you already have a problem like that, your doctor should be aware of it. |
| Eye disease or vision problems | Selumetinib can affect vision, so it is important to inform your doctor about any pre-existing problems. |
| Heart disease | This medicine can sometimes affect heart function. |
| Liver disease | The liver is where the medicine is removed from the body. If you have a liver problem, your dose may need to be adjusted. |
| Allergies to selumetinib or any other ingredients | Be sure to tell us if you have any allergies to this medicine, other medications, foods, or dyes. |
| If you or your partner are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant. | This is very important. This medicine can harm the fetus. We will talk about this in more detail. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother. | Also inform the doctor about breastfeeding, as the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medication, it is very important to use it correctly.
- This is a capsule. It should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.
- Never break, crush, or chew this capsule. Doing so may change the way the medicine works.
- Try to take your medicine at the same time every day , as prescribed by your doctor. This will help maintain consistent levels of the medicine in your body.
- You can take it with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset or nausea, it is best to take the medicine with some food.
- Continue using this treatment until your doctor tells you to stop.
- Important: Avoid taking this medication with grapefruit juice. It may have an unwanted effect on the effectiveness of the medication.
If you give this medicine to children
This medicine can sometimes be prescribed by a doctor for children as young as 2 years old for special medical conditions. But it is done with great care. If you are giving this medicine to a child, follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
What to do if you overdose on medicine?
If you have even the slightest suspicion that you have taken more medicine than you think, don't waste time. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This is a medicine prescribed for you only. Never share it with others, even if your symptoms are similar.
What if I forget to take my medicine?
Everyone forgets things. If that happens, don't worry.
- If you forget to take your pill and it is no more than 6 hours past the time you usually take it, take it as soon as you remember.
- However, if it is more than 6 hours late , skip the missed dose completely. Take the next dose at the usual time. Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
- If you vomit after taking the medicine, skip that dose. Don't take it again. Take it as usual the next time.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Some medications, vitamins, and supplements you take may interact with selumetinib. So, give your doctor a complete list of everything you take - prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, and vitamins. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
For example, this medicine may interact with the following:
- Aspirin and similar medications
- Some antibiotics, such as erythromycin
- Some antivirals given for HIV or Hepatitis
- Antifungals like ketoconazole
- Anticonvulsants such as Phenobarbital and Phenytoin
- Blood thinners like Warfarin
- Vitamin E
This list is not complete, so it's safest to tell your doctor about everything you take.
Things to be especially careful about when taking medication
- Go for regular checkups: Your doctor will tell you to come in for regular checkups. Don't miss those dates. That's how they check if the medicine is working and if there are any problems.
- Bleeding risk: This medicine may increase the risk of bleeding from even a minor injury. Bruises may also occur. If you experience any unusual bleeding, such as blood in your stool, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or red or purple spots on your body, tell your doctor immediately.
- Watch your eyesight: Your eyesight will be checked before you start taking this medicine and while you are taking it. If you notice any changes in your vision - such as blurred vision, seeing things in a blurry vision, or seeing black spots - tell your doctor right away.
Special awareness about pregnancy and breastfeeding
This section is very important. Please pay close attention.
- Getting pregnant while taking this medicine can cause serious birth defects .
- Therefore, before starting the medication, a pregnancy test is performed to make sure you are not pregnant.
- You must use a highly effective form of birth control while taking the pill and for a week after stopping the pill . Talk to your doctor about the method that is right for you.
- If your partner is able to get pregnant, it is essential to use a condom during sexual intercourse while taking the pill and for a week after stopping.
- Also, do not breastfeed your baby while taking this medication and for one week after stopping.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, selumetinib can cause side effects. Not everybody gets them, but it's important to be aware of them.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Abnormal bleeding | Black or bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, red/dark brown urine, red/purple spots on the skin. |
| Vision changes | Blurred vision, loss of vision, seeing things as if they are dragging, seeing black spots. |
| Heart failure symptoms | Difficulty breathing, swelling of the ankles, feet, hands, sudden weight gain, extreme fatigue. |
| Symptoms of liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine. |
| Muscle injury | Unusual fatigue, muscle pain, dark yellow or brown urine. |
| Severe diarrhea or stomach pain | Persistent or severe stomach pain and diarrhea. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Common side effects | Bone, joint or muscle pain, dry skin, general discomfort and fatigue, headache, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting. |
How do you store and remove the medicine?
- Keep safe: Keep out of reach of children and pets .
- Storage: Store at room temperature (20-25 degrees Celsius). Keep the medicine in the original bottle tightly closed and protected from moisture. Do not remove the small packet (moisture-absorbing packet) inside the bottle, as it helps keep the medicine dry.
- Expiration: Do not use expired medication.
- Disposal: Expired or no longer needed medications should be disposed of properly. If you are unsure whether to flush them down the toilet or throw them in the trash, ask your doctor. If you are throwing them in the trash, take the medication out of the bottle, mix it with something like used tea leaves, coffee grounds, or soil, put it in a bag, seal it tightly, and throw it in the trash.
Take-Home Message
- Always swallow Selumetinib capsules whole. Do not break, crush, or chew them.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience unusual bleeding, bruising, vision changes, or severe stomach pain.
- It is essential to avoid pregnancy while taking this medication and for one week after stopping. Use a highly reliable form of birth control.
- If you have any questions about this medication, never hesitate to talk to your doctor.
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