What are the contraindications that need to be paid attention to when taking serpatinib?

Serpatinib is a potent, oral, highly selective inhibitor of rearrangement during transfection (RET) kinase, mainly used to treat specific types of non-small cell lung cancer and medullary thyroid cancer.

Preparation before administration is crucial. Patients should have liver function tests and monitor ALT and AST levels to ensure the liver can tolerate the effects of the drug. At the same time, lung examination is also essential to monitor possible lung symptoms, such asILD/pneumonia, etc. In addition, blood pressure monitoring is particularly critical in patients with hypertension because serpatinib may have an effect on blood pressure.

During the medication period, patients need to strictly abide by the doctor's instructions and take the medication according to the prescribed dosage and time. Serpatinib is usually available in capsule form and should be swallowed whole and not crushed or chewed. It needs to be taken orally twice a day, with an interval of about 12 hours to ensure stable release of the drug in the body. If you miss a dose and it is more than 6 hours before the next dose, you can consider taking it again; otherwise, it is not recommended to take it again to avoid overdose.

In addition to following medication instructions, patients should also be aware of interactions with other medications. For example, while taking serpatinib, you should try to avoid using proton pump inhibitors, histamine H2 receptor blockers, and gastric acid neutralizing drugs, because these drugs may affect the absorption and effect of serpatinib. If these drugs must be used, patients should adjust the time and dosage according to their doctor's advice.

In addition, patients should pay close attention to their physical condition during medication and report any discomfort or abnormal reactions in a timely manner. Common side effects include edema, diarrhea, fatigue, dry mouth, high blood pressure, etc. If serious adverse reactions occur, such as liver toxicity, increased blood pressure, QT prolongation, etc., you should seek medical attention immediately and may need to adjust the drug dose or change the treatment plan.

For special groups such as pregnant women, lactating women, children under 12 years old, and patients with liver and kidney dysfunction, special caution is required when using serpatinib, and the personalized guidance of the doctor must be followed. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using this drug to avoid potential harm to the fetus or newborn.

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/selpercatinib-oral-route/description/drg-20489652