Selumetinib is used for children and adolescents to treat neurofibromatosis type 1 (a genetic condition which causes changes in skin colouring and tumour growth along the nerves in the skin, brain, and other parts of the body).
This medicine reduces the size of the tumour by stopping cancer cells from growing.
It is used for those whose tumours cannot be completely removed by surgery.
Take Selumetinib exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, dissolve, or open the capsules. If you have difficulty swallowing the capsules, inform your doctor before starting the treatment.
If you vomit after taking Selumetinib, do not repeat the dose. Take the next dose at your normal scheduled time.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on the type and severity of your condition and your response to the medication.
Selumetinib must be taken regularly for it to be effective. You must continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
If you miss a dose and it is more than 6 hours before the next dose is due, take the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
If it is less than 6 hours before the next dose is due, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have severe hepatic impairment as Selumetinib may not be suitable for you.
It is important that women do not get pregnant and men should not father a child while being treated with Selumetinib.
Both men and women must use proven birth control methods during Selumetinib therapy and for 1 week after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss birth control methods with your doctor or pharmacist.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart problems e.g. heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
- eye problems
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Selumetinib to a child. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests (for women of childbearing age), eye examination, echocardiogram (a test that uses ultrasound to check how your heart muscle and valves are working), and assessment of ability to swallow must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to take.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver function, levels of creatine phosphokinase [enzyme in the blood that is measured to determine muscle damage], blood clotting tests, echocardiogram, eye examination) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of serious skin reactions, severe diarrhoea, new or worsening vision problems, and rhabdomyolysis (abnormal muscle breakdown that can cause kidney damage) may also be needed.
Selumetinib may cause tiredness, body weakness, or vision problems. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, nosebleed, dry mouth, abdominal pain, constipation, dry skin, and hair loss.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- eye pain or irritation, blurred, dark spots or loss of vision
- severe rashes over a large area of the skin with peeling or blistering
- signs and symptoms of a heart problem e.g. chest pain, rapid heartbeat, persistent coughing, tiredness, shortness of breath, swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet
- persistent muscle or joint pain, muscle cramps, weakness or numbness
- pain or difficulty in passing urine, dark urine or blood in the urine
- severe diarrhoea
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. ticlopidine, warfarin, aspirin
- certain antibiotics e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB, a lung infection known as tuberculosis)
- omeprazole (medicine that reduces stomach acid production)
- fluoxetine (medicine to treat depression)
- digoxin (medicine for heart failure)
- methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
- furosemide (water pill or medicine for water retention)
- fexofenadine (medicine for cold or allergy)
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Selumetinib.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking vitamin E (fat-soluble vitamin). Limit your intake of vitamin E supplements. Too much vitamin E may increase your risk of bleeding.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Avoid excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Keep the capsules in their original package to protect from light and moisture.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
As Selumetinib is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired capsules to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
Sign Out
