Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed with VHL disease or are starting a new treatment plan, the following information is available to make it easier for you to ask your doctor the right questions and track your treatment.
It’s normal to have questions about your condition and medicine at the start of your treatment plan. As you get started, the Doctor Discussion Guide can help you start the conversation at your next appointment.
One of the best ways to remember to take WELIREG at the same time each day is by creating a routine. This can make it easier to establish a new habit—like taking a new medication. Use the following tips to help you create a routine that reminds you to take WELIREG at the right time every day.
Here are some ideas to help you create a routine that works for you:
While everyone’s experience taking WELIREG may differ, here are a few more tips that may be helpful to you. 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.
Make a plan with your doctor to eat the right foods during treatment.
Speak with your health care team to make a plan to reach your goals and do the things you enjoy.
If you’re feeling tired, ask for help from your friends and family–and make sure to talk to your health care team.
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 (CNS) hemangioblastomas, or a type of pancreatic cancer called pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET), that do not need surgery right away.
It is not known if WELIREG is safe and effective 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 in adults with VHL disease include:
The most common side effects of WELIREG in adults with advanced RCC 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 of 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 accompanying Medication Guide for WELIREG, including an important warning about harm to an unborn baby, and discuss it with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.
