Repotrectinib (Oral)

Generic name: repotrectinib [ re-poe-TREK-ti-nib ]
Drug class: Multikinase inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 25, 2023.

Uses for repotrectinib

Repotrectinib is used to treat ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread within your chest or to other parts of the body. Your doctor will perform a test to see if you have the ROS1 gene before you take this medicine.

Repotrectinib 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.

Before using repotrectinib

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 repotrectinib 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 repotrectinib in the elderly.

Interactions with Medicines

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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

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:

• Hyperuricemia (high uric acid in the blood) or
• Liver disease or
• Lung or breathing problem or
• Nervous system problem—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Proper use of repotrectinib

Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before using 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 only 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.

This medicine comes with patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully and make sure you understand them before taking this medicine. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Swallow the capsule whole with water at the same time each day. Do not open, chew, crush, or dissolve it. Do not take capsules that are broken, cracked, or damaged.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may change the amount of medicine that is absorbed in the body.

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 (capsules):
  • For ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer:
    • Adults—160 milligrams (mg) once a day for 14 days. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If a dose is missed or if you vomit, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at the regular scheduled 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 while using repotrectinib

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. If you are woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may give you a pregnancy test before you start using this medicine to make sure you are not pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for at least 2 months after your final dose. Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant should use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause blurred vision, dizziness, memory loss, mental status changes, confusion, hallucinations, having trouble with balance or coordination, or trouble with concentration and attention. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do other jobs that require you to be alert.

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 of 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 or your child have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

This medicine may cause muscle problems, including myalgia. Check with your doctor right away if you have difficulty moving, joint pain, muscle aches, cramps, pains, or stiffness, or swollen joints.

Check with your doctor right away if you have joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, lower back or side pain, stomach pain, or swelling of the feet or lower legs. These may be symptoms of hyperuricemia (high uric acid in the blood).

This medicine may increase your risk of bone fractures. Ask your doctor about ways to keep your bones strong to help prevent fractures.

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 of repotrectinib

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

• Being forgetful
• blindness
• blurred vision
• bone pain
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest tightness
• confusion as to time, place, or person
• decreased vision
• difficulty in moving
• eye pain
• headache
• holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
• joint pain
• loss of memory
• mental depression or anxiety
• muscle aches, cramps, pains, stiffness ,or weakness
• nausea or vomiting
• nerve pain
• nightmares or unusually vivid dreams
• problems with memory
• problems with speech or speaking
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• swelling
• swollen joints
• tearing
• trouble breathing
• unsteadiness, awkwardness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Incidence not known

• Chest pain
• chills
• cough
• dark urine
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• joint stiffness or swelling
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• pain or swelling in the arms or legs without any injury
• stomach pain, severe
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• thickening of bronchial secretions
• yellow eyes or skin

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

• Burning, dry or itching eyes
• change in color vision
• change in taste
• constipation
• diarrhea
• difficulty seeing at night
• discharge, excessive tearing
• dizziness eye swelling
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
• increased weight
• loss of taste
• redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• seeing floating dark spots or material before eyes

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.

Pharmacologic Class: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor

Further information

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