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Overview: Veppanu is an oral tablet used to treat breast cancer in certain people. It helps your body break down estrogen receptors, which are proteins that help some cancer cells grow. Common side effects include pain in your muscles or joints, tiredness, nausea, low appetite, constipation, and changes in lab tests. Tell your health care provider right away if you feel faint or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast or skipping heartbeat.

Uses

What is Veppanu used for?

Veppanu (vepdegestrant) is commonly used to treat a certain type of breast cancer. Your health care provider can do a test to see if your cancer can be treated with Veppanu.

Your Guide to Veppanu for Breast Cancer

Veppanu may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Veppanu work (mechanism of action)?

Veppanu works by acting like a connector between the estrogen receptor, which helps some breast cancer cells grow, and a protein called cereblon, which is part of the cell’s waste-disposal system. By linking these two together, the medicine marks the estrogen receptor for removal, and another part of the cell destroys it. As a result, the cancer cells have fewer estrogen receptors, reducing the signals that help them grow.

How is Veppanu supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Veppanu

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 100 mg oral tablets
  • 200 mg oral tablets

How should I store Veppanu?

Veppanu should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Veppanu?

The most common side effects of Veppanu are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of Veppanu that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Veppanu?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Veppanu are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Veppanu may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Veppanu and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Heart Rhythm Changes. Veppanu may cause a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people who are older, have other people in their family who have had these conditions, have low potassium or magnesium levels, or who take medicines that can prolong the QT interval. Tell your health care provider right away if you faint or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast or skipping heartbeat.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Veppanu?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Veppanu.

  • Vepdegestrant
  • Veppanu
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Veppanu.

What should I know about Veppanu before using it?

Do not take Veppanu unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Veppanu with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Veppanu out of the reach of children.

Take Veppanu around the same time each day. 

Swallow Veppanu whole. Do not crush, chew, dissolve, or split the tablet. Do not take the tablet if it is broken, cracked, or damaged.

If you vomit after taking Veppanu, do not take another dose that day. Take your next dose the following day at the usual time.

If you can become pregnant, use effective birth control while taking Veppanu and for 2 weeks after your last dose. If you have a partner who can become pregnant, use effective birth control (such as condoms) while taking Veppanu and for 2 weeks after your last dose.

Veppanu may make it hard for you to get pregnant or get your partner pregnant. If you have concerns, talk to your health care provider.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Veppanu?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Veppanu is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart failure, heart rhythm problems, or other heart conditions
  • Low blood levels of magnesium or potassium
  • Liver problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Veppanu may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Veppanu, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Veppanu may cause harm to a fetus. Your health care provider may give you a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant before you start Veppanu. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking Veppanu right away and contact your health care provider.

Breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while you are taking Veppanu and for 2 weeks after your last dose. It is not known if Veppanu passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop Veppanu.

How can I get more information about Veppanu?

For more information about Veppanu, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.arvinas.com or call them at 203-535-1456.

Interactions

Does Veppanu interact with foods or drinks?

Take Veppanu with food. Food helps your body absorb the medicine so it can work the way it should.

Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking Veppanu. Grapefruit and its juice can change how your body processes the medicine and may increase the risk of side effects.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Veppanu, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer.

Does Veppanu interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Veppanu.

  • Any medicine that can cause QT prolongation, which is a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Dabigatran (Pradaxa), which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • Dapagliflozin (Farxiga), which is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes
  • Esomeprazole (Nexium), which is a medicine used to reduce stomach acid and treat heartburn or acid reflux
  • Itraconazole, which is a medicine used to treat fungal infections
  • Midazolam, which is a medicine used for sedation or to help with procedures
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Veppanu, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Veppanu. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

If you or someone else has used too much Veppanu, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Veppanu?

If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next dose at your usual time the following day. Do not take double or extra doses to make up for the missed one.