Has your doctor told you or someone in your family to start this medicine called Vismodegib because you have skin cancer? You may be a little scared when you hear the name. But don't worry. This is a special treatment that kills cancer cells. So today we will talk about this medicine, how to use it, and the things to be careful about in a very simple way that you can understand.
What exactly is Vismodegib?
Simply put, Vismodegib is a drug used to treat several types of skin cancer. In our country, this drug is available under the brand name `Erivedge`.
Think of cancer cells as bad, uncontrolled plants. These plants need a special message (signal) to grow and spread. This drug called Vismodegib stops that bad message from reaching the cancer cells. It's like closing the water pipe to the plants. Then the cancer cells can't grow and multiply. Over time, they die. This is how this drug controls cancer.
Doctors may sometimes recommend this for other medical conditions as well. If you have any questions about it, ask your doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
It is very important to inform your doctor about your complete health condition before starting this medication. Be sure to tell them about these things in particular.
- Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to Vismodegib or any other medicine, food, or dye .
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or have any concerns about it. This is an extremely important point. We will discuss this in detail later.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medicine is suitable for you or not.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
As the doctor says, it is very important to take the correct dosage at the correct time.
- This medicine comes in the form of a capsule . Swallow it whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, crush, or chew the capsule. It should be swallowed whole.
- Keep a regular schedule for taking your medication. Taking it at the same time every day will help the medication work better.
- This medicine can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset or nausea, it is better to take it with a meal.
- Do not take more than the amount prescribed by your doctor.
- Sometimes, your doctor may decide to change the dosage or stop taking the medication for a while due to the side effects you are experiencing. Never change the dosage or stop taking the medication without your doctor's advice.
- You will receive a special information leaflet (MedGuide) about your medicine when you are prescribed it. Read it carefully each time you take your medicine.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
It could happen. Don't worry.
Imagine you take your pill at 8 am. You remember it around 12 noon. So take the pill right away. But if you remember at 6 pm, which means it's very close to your 8 am dose the next day, don't take the missed pill. Skip it and take the next 8 am dose. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed one.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you suspect or believe you have taken more medicine than you think, go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Extremely important: What you need to know about pregnancy and birth control
This is the most important thing to be careful about when using this medicine. Vismodegib can cause serious birth defects in an unborn baby. Therefore, these instructions should be followed exactly.
These tips apply equally to women and men taking this medication!
If you are a woman:
- Before starting this medication, you should take a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant.
- You should use a very reliable form of birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are taking the pill and for 24 months (2 years) after you stop taking it . Regular methods may not be enough. So talk to your doctor about the best and safest birth control method for you.
- Do not breastfeed a child while taking this medicine and for 24 months after stopping the medicine .
If you are male:
- This medicine can also harm a pregnant woman's unborn child through your sperm.
- Therefore, your wife or partner should avoid getting pregnant while taking the pill and for 3 months after stopping the pill .
- Be sure to use a condom every time you have sex during this time. Even if your partner uses birth control, it is still important to use a condom for extra protection.
Other important restrictions
- Donating blood: Do not donate blood while taking the medication and for 24 months (2 years) after stopping the medication . If your blood is given to a pregnant woman, it could harm the baby.
- Sperm donation (for men): Do not donate sperm while taking the medication and for 3 months after stopping the medication .
- Infertility: This medicine may temporarily or permanently affect fertility (the ability to have children). If you are planning to have children, talk to your doctor about it before starting treatment.
Possible side effects of taking the medicine
Like all medicines, Vismodegib can cause some side effects. Not everybody gets them, but it's important to be aware of them.
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Side effect | Description |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Muscle injury | Feeling unusually tired, severe pain in the body and muscles, dark yellow or brown urine, and decreased urine output. |
| Serious skin conditions | Skin lesions with redness, blistering, peeling of the skin (even inside the mouth), fever, and swollen lymph nodes (swelling). |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
|---|---|
| Side effect | Description |
| Stomach discomfort | Diarrhea, nausea. |
| Body changes | Loss of appetite and weight loss, hair loss, changes in taste, and frequent fatigue. |
| Muscle problems | Muscle spasms. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, tell your doctor about them as well.
How to store the medicine?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets .
- Store at normal room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Keep away from excessive heat and moisture.
- Do not use expired medicine.
- Safely dispose of unused or expired medications. Ask your hospital or pharmacy about special programs. If not, ask your doctor about how to safely dispose of them.
Take-Home Message
- Vismodegib is a specific treatment for skin cancer. It works by stopping the growth of cancer cells.
- Take the prescribed dose at the prescribed time, exactly as your doctor tells you. Swallow the capsule whole, without breaking or crushing it.
- This is the most important thing: Avoid getting pregnant completely while taking this medication and for a certain period of time after stopping it. The risk of birth defects is very high. This rule applies to both women and men taking the treatment.
- If you experience any serious side effects (skin blisters, muscle pain, allergic reactions), tell your doctor immediately.
- If you have any questions, concerns, or doubts about this medication, discuss them with your doctor. Don't keep anything to yourself.
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