It’s normal to have questions about your condition and medicine at the start of your treatment. The following information can help you stay informed about VHL disease and WELIREG so you can make the most of your next doctor’s appointment.
View the resources below and bring them to your next appointment to start the conversation with your doctor.
Whether you’re facing a new diagnosis or a new treatment plan, it’s likely you have many questions. As you get started, the Doctor Discussion Guide can help you have a productive conversation.
This brochure will help you understand more about WELIREG, including how to take it, clinical trial results, and how to talk to your doctor about it.
For assistance, please call 833-WELIREG (833-935-4734)
While everyone’s experience taking WELIREG may differ, here are a few tips that may be helpful. Your health care team can offer additional resources and support.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Try to eat 2.5 cups of fruits and vegetables daily, and try to limit high-fat foods.
Ask for help when you need it—and talk to your health care team, friends, and family.
Speak with your health care team to make a plan to reach your goals and do the things you enjoy.
WELIREG is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease who need treatment for a type of kidney cancer called renal cell carcinoma (RCC), tumors in the brain and spinal cord called central nervous system hemangioblastomas, or a type of pancreatic cancer called pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, that do not need surgery right away.
It is not known if WELIREG is safe and effective for use in children.
WELIREG may cause serious side effects. WELIREG may cause harm to your unborn baby.
WELIREG may cause serious side effects, including:
Low red blood cell counts (anemia). Low red blood cell counts are common with WELIREG and can be severe. You may need a blood transfusion if your red blood cell counts drop too low. Your health care provider will do blood tests to check your red blood cell counts before you start and during treatment with WELIREG. Tell your health care provider if you get any symptoms of low red blood cell counts, including tiredness, feeling cold, shortness of breath, chest pain, or fast heartbeat.
Low oxygen levels in your body. WELIREG can cause low oxygen levels in your body that can be severe and may require you to stop treatment with WELIREG, receive oxygen therapy, or be hospitalized. Your health care provider will monitor your oxygen levels before you start and during treatment with WELIREG. Tell your health care provider or get medical help right away if you get symptoms of low oxygen in your body, including shortness of breath or increased heart rate.
Harm to your unborn baby. Treatment with WELIREG during pregnancy can cause harm to your unborn baby.
Females who are able to become pregnant:
Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant:
Before taking WELIREG, tell your health care provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. WELIREG and certain other medicines can affect each other and cause serious side effects.
The most common side effects of WELIREG include:
WELIREG may cause fertility problems in males and females, which may affect your ability to have children. Talk to your health care provider if this is a concern for you.
These are not all the possible side effects of WELIREG. Call your health care provider for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please read the Medication Guide for WELIREG, including additional important information on the above warning about harm to an unborn baby, and discuss it with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.
