Generic
Tepotinib
(teh-POH-tih-nib)
Brand
Tepmetko®
(tep-MET-koh)
Additional resources
Tepotinib (Tepmetko®) is used to treat adults with non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has a certain mutation (change) in the MET gene.
Our Medication Sheet
This sheet is available to download as an Adobe PDF.
Page 1 TEPOTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Name of your medication Generic name — tepotinib (teh POH tih nib) Brand name — Tepmetko® (tep MET koh) Approved uses Tepotinib is used to treat adults with non small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has a certain mutation (change) in the MET gene. Dose and schedule Taking tepotinib as instructed is important to allow your treatment to be as effective as possible, so here are some key points to remember. Your dose may vary, but the usual dose of tepotinib is 450 milligrams (450 mg) to be taken by mouth at a scheduled time once a day. Tepotinib should be taken with food, at the same time each day. Tepotinib should be taken whole and not crushed, cut, or dissolved. If you are unable to swallow tepotinib, talk to your care provider or pharmacist for possible options. If you miss a dose of tepotinib, follow this guidance: • Do not make up a missed dose within eight hours of the next scheduled dose. • Be sure to write down if you miss a dose and let your care provider know about any missed doses. Drug and food interactions Tepotinib has many drug interactions. Inform your care providers of all prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products that you are taking. Talk with your care provider or pharmacist before taking new medications or supplements, or receiving any vaccines. Storage and handling Handle tepotinib with care. Just like when chemotherapy is given into the vein, this drug can be toxic, and exposure of the drug to others should be limited. Store tepotinib at room temperature (68°F–77°F) in a dry location away from light. Keep tepotinib out of reach of children and pets. Leave tepotinib in the provided packaging until it is ready to be taken. Whenever possible, you should give the tepotinib to yourself and follow the steps below. If a family member, friend, or caregiver needs to give the tepotinib to you, they also need to follow these steps: 1. Wash hands with soap and water. 2. Put on gloves to avoid touching the medication. (Gloves are not necessary if you give the drug to yourself.) 3. Gently transfer the tepotinib from its package to a small medicine or other disposable cup. 4. Administer the medicine immediately by mouth with water. TEPOTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 2 5. Remove gloves and do not use them for anything else. 6. Throw gloves and medicine cup in household trash. 7. Wash hands with soap and water. A daily pill box or reminder is not recommended to be used with tepotinib. If you have any unused tepotinib, do not throw it in the trash and do not flush it down the sink or toilet. Talk to your care provider or pharmacist about proper disposal of tepotinib. If you are traveling, put your tepotinib’s packaging in a sealed plastic bag. Ask your pharmacist if any additional travel precautions are needed. Side Effects of Tepotinib Below are common side effects that have been known to happen in about one third or more of patients taking tepotinib are listed on the left side of this table. You MAY NOT experience these side effects. Options to help manage any side effects that do occur are included on the right side of this table. These should be discussed with your care provider. If you experience any side effect you cannot manage or that is not listed here, contact your care provider. Possible Side Effect Management Decreased albumin levels Albumin is a protein found in the blood. You may not have any symptoms, unless your blood albumin levels are significantly lowered. Contact your care provider if you notice any of the following: • Swelling in any part of your body especially your legs • Muscle weakness, fatigue, or cramping • Severe diarrhea (more than five stools in a 24 hour period) • Nausea that is unrelieved by prescription anti nausea medication • Vomiting more than four or five times in a 24 hour period • Fluid accumulation or swelling in your belly Fluid retention or swelling • Do not stand for long periods of time. • Keep your legs elevated when sitting or lying down. • Try not to eat salty foods, which can increase swelling. • Avoid tight fitting clothing and shoes. • Weigh yourself daily. Contact your provider if you notice any of the following: • Swelling in the hands, feet, or legs • Shortness of breath • Weight gain of five pounds or more in one week Continued on the next page TEPOTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 3 Possible Side Effect Management Changes in kidney function Your kidney (renal) function will be checked periodically by a simple blood test. Contact your care provider if you notice any of the following: • Decreased amount of urination • Unusual swelling in your legs and feet Changes in liver function Your liver function will be checked periodically by a simple blood test. Contact your care provider if you notice any of the following: • Yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes • Dark or brown urine • Unusual bleeding or bruising Decreased white blood cells (WBCs) and increased risk for infection Your WBCs should be monitored by a simple blood test. When your WBCs are low, you are at a greater risk of having an infection. Take the following precautions to protect yourself from infection. • Wash your hands often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. • Avoid crowds and people with fevers, flu, or other infection. • Bathe regularly to keep good personal hygiene. Contact your care provider if you experience any signs or symptoms of an infection such as: • Fever (temperature more than 100.4°F or 38°C) • Chills • Sore throat • Burning with urination • Unusual tiredness • A sore that becomes red, is draining, or does not heal Check with your care provider before taking any medicine for a fever or chills. Changes in electrolytes and other laboratory values • Low sodium levels Changes in some laboratory values may occur and will be monitored by a simple blood test. • You may not feel any symptoms if the changes are mild, and they usually are not a sign of a serious problem. • More severe changes may occur, which can be a sign of a serious problem. Notify your care provider if you have any of the following: • Shortness of breath • Chest discomfort • Weakness or fatigue • New aches and pains • Headaches • Dizziness • Swelling of your legs or feet • Red or brown colored urine TEPOTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 4 Serious side effects of tepotinib Tepotinib may cause rare but serious side effects, including the following: • Scarring of the lung tissue, which is called interstitial lung disease; call your care team if you are feeling short of breath, have a fever, or have a lasting dry cough. • Harm to your liver; seek medical attention if you notice yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes, dark or brown urine, bleeding, or bruising. • Birth defects; do not take tepotinib if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. If you experience ANY uncontrolled side effect, call your physician or healthcare center immediately: (INSTITUTIONAL CONTACT INFO) Handling body fluids and waste Since tepotinib remains in your body for several days after it is taken, some of the drug may be present in urine, stool, sweat, or vomit. Once you have started to take tepotinib, it is important to know the following instructions every day for as long as your treatment lasts. This is to keep yourself, loved ones, and the environment as safe as possible. Pregnant women should avoid touching anything that may be soiled with body fluids from the patient. Toilet and septic systems • You may use the same toilet, septic tank, and/or sewer that you usually use. If you have a low flow toilet, close the lid and flush twice to ensure all waste has been discarded. • If the toilet or toilet seat becomes soiled with urine, stool, or vomit, clean the surfaces before other people use the toilet. • Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet. If you need a bedpan, be sure your caregiver knows to wear gloves to assist with cleanup and to wash the bedpan with soap and water every day. If you do not have good control of bladder or bowels, use a disposable pad with a plastic back, a diaper, or a sheet to absorb body waste. Wash any skin that has been exposed to body waste or tepotinib with soap and water. Linens or clothing that are soiled with body fluids or body waste should be washed separately from other linens and clothing. If you do not have a washer, place the soiled linens in a plastic bag until they can be washed. Wash hands with soap and water after touching linens or clothing that may be soiled with body fluids. Pregnancy, sexual activity, and contraception Women should not become pregnant and men should not get a partner pregnant while taking tepotinib. Males and females of childbearing age and potential should use effective contraception during therapy and for a minimum of one week after the last dose of tepotinib. Effective contraception could include one or more of the following: oral contraceptive, barrier methods, etc. Do not breastfeed while taking tepotinib and for one week after the last dose of tepotinib. TEPOTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 5 Important notice: The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA), National Community Oncology Dispensing Association, Inc. (NCODA), and Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) have collaborated in gathering information for and developing this patient education guide. This guide represents a brief summary of the medication derived from information provided by the drug manufacturer and other resources. This guide does not cover all existing information related to the possible uses, directions, doses, precautions, warnings, interactions, adverse effects, or risks associated with this medication and should not substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Provision of this guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of this medication by ACCC, HOPA, NCODA, or ONS, who assume no liability for and cannot ensure the accuracy of the information presented. The collaborators are not making any representations with respect to the medications whatsoever, and any and all decisions, with respect to such medications, are at the sole risk of the individual consuming the medication. All decisions related to taking this medication should be made with the guidance and under the direction of a qualified healthcare professional. Permission: Oral Chemotherapy Education (OCE) sheets are provided as a free educational resource for patients with cancer in need of concise, easy to understand information about oral cancer drugs. Healthcare providers are permitted to copy and distribute the sheets to patients as well as direct patients to the OCE website for information. However, commercial reproduction or reuse, as well as rebranding or reposting of any type, are strictly prohibited without permission of the copyright holder. Please email permission requests and licensing inquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Copyright © 2021 by Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association. All rights reserved. Please inform your care provider if you become pregnant. It is safe to hug and kiss. Special precautions may be needed for sexual activity while on oral chemotherapy, and you are encouraged to ask your care provider. Obtaining medication Talk with your care provider about how to obtain your tepotinib. (PHARMACY OR SPECIALTY PHARMACY CONTACT INFO) Additional resources Product website: https://www.tepmetko.com/us en/home.html Product prescribing information: https://www.emdserono.com/us en/pi/tepmetko pi.pdf Product resources: https://www.oncnavigationcenter.com/en/home.html Updated — February 12, 2021 Additional instructions