Odomzo (sonidegib) is a targeted cancer medication used to treat a specific kind of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma that has spread and can’t be removed by surgery. It’s convenient to take because you take it by mouth, but it can have side effects such as muscle spasms and hair loss. Odomzo (sonidegib) is very harmful to an unborn baby and can cause pregnancy loss (miscarriage). People who take Odomzo (sonidegib) who are able to have children must use effective birth control.
Advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) that can’t be removed by surgery or radiation
There’s a certain pathway in your body called the Hedgehog pathway. It sends signals to help cells grow. It plays an important role in helping unborn babies develop, but it’s not always active in adults. Some people have a mutation in the Hedgehog pathway that makes it active when it shouldn’t be, and this can cause cancer cells to grow, including skin cancer cells.
Odomzo (sonidegib) is a Hedgehog pathway inhibitor. It treats skin cancer by turning this pathway off so that the cancer cells can’t grow or spread as well.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Taken by mouth and only taken once a day
Recommended treatment option for people with basal cell carcinoma that has - spread and can’t be removed by surgery
Works in a more specific, targeted way than traditional chemotherapy
Causes hair loss in most people
Can cause muscle spasms and taste changes
Very unsafe for pregnant females
Take Odomzo (sonidegib) on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after you eat.
Because Odomzo (sonidegib) is so unsafe to an unborn baby, it’s important to make sure other people aren’t exposed to the medication. You shouldn’t donate blood or blood products while taking Odomzo (sonidegib) or for 20 months after the last dose. Males taking Odomzo (sonidegib) shouldn’t donate semen until at least 8 months after the last dose.
Some pre-menopausal females taking Odomzo (sonidegib) stopped menstruating while taking Odomzo (sonidegib). Menstruation usually starts up again after the drug is stopped.
You might experience diarrhea while taking Odomzo (sonidegib). If you have this side effect, your provider might recommend you take over-the-counter medications, like loperamide (Imodium A-D), to help treat it. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids, but avoid sugary sports drinks because these can make diarrhea worse.
If you miss a dose of Odomzo (sonidegib), don’t take two doses to make up for it. Just skip the missed dose and start taking it again at the next scheduled time.
Store Odomzo (sonidegib) out of reach of children. This medication can cause serious harm and growth problems if taken by children.
Ask your provider about the best way to handle and throw away Odomzo (sonidegib) safely. Anticancer medications can be harmful to people who handle or come in contact with them. You should store the medication up and away, so children and pets won’t be able to reach it.
Females who are taking Odomzo (sonidegib) shouldn’t breastfeed. Odomzo (sonidegib) hasn’t been studied in human milk, but because of the possible risks to a baby, it’s best to avoid nursing if you’re taking Odomzo (sonidegib) and for 20 months after the last dose.
Odomzo (sonidegib) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Pregnant females | Males with a partner who can have children
Results from animal studies suggest Odomzo (sonidegib) can cause serious harm or death to an unborn baby. Pregnant females shouldn’t take Odomzo (sonidegib). If you’re a female able to have children, you must have a negative pregnancy test before starting Odomzo (sonidegib). In addition, you need to use effective birth control while taking Odomzo (sonidegib) and for about 2 years after the last dose. Males who have a partner who can have children must use condoms while taking Odomzo (sonidegib) and for at least 8 months after the last dose.
Most people who take Odomzo (sonidegib) experience muscle spasms, but they are usually mild. Rarely, the spasms can be severe, painful, and cause a high level of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in your blood that suggests tissue damage. Your provider will measure your CPK level through labs before you start Odomzo (sonidegib) and any time you have muscle pain. If you have painful muscle spasms or aching joints or higher CPK levels, your provider might pause or stop Odomzo (sonidegib) depending on how severe your symptoms are.
Make sure to store Odomzo (sonidegib) out of reach of children. Aside from the possible serious side effects, Odomzo (sonidegib) can cause serious bone problems in growing children.
The usual dose of Odomzo (sonidegib) is 200 mg by mouth once a day on an empty stomach.
Advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) that can’t be removed by surgery or radiation
Basal cell carcinoma that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) or that can’t be removed by surgery
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