Generic name: mobocertinib
Drug class: EGFR inhibitors
Dosage form: oral capsule
Availability: Prescription only
Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data available
Brand names: Exkivity
What is Mobocertinib?
Mobocertinib is a type of drug called a kinase inhibitor, which is used to treat a rare type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Mobocertinib is used to treat NSCLC caused by a specific type of gene mutation called an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion mutation. Only about 2000 to 4000 people are diagnosed with this type of cancer in the US each year.
EGFR is a protein that helps cells to grow and divide. When an exon 20 insertion mutation occurs, it drives cells to grow and divide abnormally, causing an EGFR-positive cancer.
Mobocertinib works by binding to and blocking EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, which helps to slow the growth of cancer cells.
Mobocertinib was granted accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021. It is used with the Oncomine Dx Target Test, which identifies patients with exon 20 insertion mutations.
What is mobocertinib used for?
Mobocertinib is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with NSCLC:
- that is locally advanced or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) and cannot be removed by surgery, and
- has an abnormal EGFR gene caused by an exon 20 insertion mutation
- whose disease has worsened while on or after chemotherapy that contains platinum
Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure that mobocertinib is right for you.
It is not known if mobocertinib is safe and effective in children.
Warnings
Mobocertinib may cause serious side effects, including:
- Changes in the electrical activity of your heart called QTc prolongation and Torsades de Pointes. QTc prolongation can cause irregular heartbeats that can be life-threatening and may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will check the electrical activity of your heart with a test called an electrocardiogram (ECG) and do blood tests to check your electrolytes before starting and during treatment with mobocertinib. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, faint or have an irregular heartbeat.
See "What are the side effects of mobocertinib?" below for more information about side effects.
How should I take Mobocertinib
- Take mobocertinib exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
- Take your prescribed dose of mobocertinib 1 time each day.
- Take mobocertinib with or without food.
- Swallow mobocertinib capsules whole. Do not open, chew, or dissolve the contents of the capsules.
- Do not change your dose or stop taking mobocertinib unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
- Your healthcare provider may change your dose, temporarily stop, or permanently stop treatment with mobocertinib if you develop certain side effects.
Dosing information
The recommended dose of mobocertinib is 160 mg taken orally once a day. Mobocertinib can be taken with or without food.
See full prescribing information for further details about mobocertinib dosing.
Before Taking
Before taking mobocertinib, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have heart problems, including a condition called long QTc syndrome
- have problems with your electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium
- have lung or breathing problems other than lung cancer
What happens if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of mobocertinib, and it has been more than 6 hours, skip the dose and take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time the next day.
If you vomit a dose of mobocertinib, do not take an extra dose. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time the next day.
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
What should I avoid while using Mobocertinib?
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice during treatment with mobocertinib. Grapefruit may increase the amount of mobocertinib in your blood.
Mobocertinib side effects
Mobocertinib may cause serious side effects, including:
- See "Important information" above.
- Lung problems. Mobocertinib may cause severe lung problems that may lead to death. Symptoms may be similar to those symptoms from lung cancer. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any new or worsening symptoms, including:
- trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- cough
- chest pain
- fever
- Heart problems, including heart failure. Mobocertinib may cause heart problems that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider should check your heart function before you start and during treatment with mobocertinib. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs or symptoms of a heart problem, including:
- feeling like your heart is pounding or racing
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- swelling of your ankles and feet
- feeling faint
- Diarrhea. Diarrhea is common during treatment with mobocertinib, and may sometimes be severe. Diarrhea can cause you to lose too much body fluid (dehydration) and kidney problems. Your healthcare provider may tell you to start drinking more fluids and electrolytes to replace body salts or start taking your antidiarrheal medicines. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any loose stools or have stools more often than is normal for you.
The most common side effects of mobocertinib include:
- diarrhea
- rash
- nausea
- mouth sores
- vomiting
- decrease appetite
- infection of skin around nails
- tiredness
- dry skin
- muscle or bone pain
Mobocertinib may affect fertility in females and males, which may affect your ability to have a child. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.
These are not all of the possible side effects of mobocertinib.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See more: Mobocertinib Side EffectsWhat other drugs will affect Mobocertinib?
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medicines and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Tell your healthcare provider if you take medicines for heart problems.
Mobocertinib and other medicines may affect each other causing serious side effects.
What other information should I know?
Your doctor will order a lab test before you begin your treatment to see whether your cancer can be treated with mobocertinib.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.