6 mins read

Overview: Vizimpro is used to treat lung cancer. Common side effects include diarrhea, rash, and inflammation (swelling) around your nails. Call your health care provider right away if you get a fever, blistering of your skin, severe diarrhea, or have trouble breathing. Vizimpro is a tablet that you will swallow.

Uses

What is Vizimpro used for?

Vizimpro (dacomitinib) is commonly used to treat certain kinds of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

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

How does Vizimpro work (mechanism of action)?

Vizimpro is a type of medicine known as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). It works by targeting specific proteins on cancer cells. By blocking the action of these proteins, Vizimpro can cause cancer cells to die and can prevent cancer cells from growing or spreading.

How is Vizimpro supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Vizimpro

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 15 mg oral tablets
  • 30 mg oral tablets
  • 45 mg oral tablets

How should I store Vizimpro?

Vizimpro 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 you’re transporting it. Store it in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Vizimpro?

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

  • Rash
  • Diarrhea (see below)
  • Mouth sores
  • Nail inflammation (swelling)
  • Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
  • Dry skin
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Dry, red, itchy eyes
  • Hair loss
  • Itching

There may be other side effects of Vizimpro 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 Vizimpro?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Vizimpro may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Vizimpro 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

Lung Inflammation. Vizimpro can cause inflammation in your lungs, also called interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis. This can be serious or even life-threatening. Get emergency help if you have trouble breathing. You may also have a cough, fever, or chest pain.

Diarrhea. Diarrhea is common with Vizimpro. Call your health care provider right away if you get diarrhea or if you have more than two bowel movements in one day. If you are given medicine to prevent or treat diarrhea, take it exactly as your health care provider tells you. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following.

  • Severe diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Diarrhea with weakness, dizziness, or fever

Skin Reactions. Vizimpro commonly causes skin reactions including dry skin, redness, rashes, acne, itching, and peeling or blistering of your skin. Your health care provider may prescribe you medicines to help with these skin reactions. Vizimpro can also cause severe skin reactions, including a rare reaction called exfoliative dermatitis. This reaction may cause pain, itching, discoloration, and peeling of your skin. It can also make it difficult for your body to stay warm and lead to dehydration, infection, or shock, which can be dangerous and life-threatening. You may need treatment in a hospital if this reaction happens. Call your health care provider right away if you develop a rash or peeling of your skin.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Vizimpro?

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

  • Dacomitinib
  • Vizimpro
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

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

What should I know about Vizimpro before using it?

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

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

Keep Vizimpro out of the reach of children.

Take Vizimpro at about the same time every day.

If you vomit after taking your Vizimpro dose, do not take another dose. Skip the dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Vizimpro can make your skin more sensitive to light from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. This is called photosensitivity. Exposure to this light can cause severe sunburns, blisters, and swelling. If you need to be in sunlight, wear sunscreen, a hat, and clothing that covers your skin.

If you are taking a medicine known as an H2 blocker or an antacid, talk with your health care provider. Take Vizimpro at least six hours before or 10 hours after taking the H2 blocker medicine or antacid. See the Interactions section for more details.

Use moisturizers every day while you are taking Vizimpro. Your health care provider can help you figure out the best moisturizer for you.

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

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 Vizimpro 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.

  • Diarrhea or digestion problems
  • Skin problems
  • Breathing problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Vizimpro may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Vizimpro, 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. Vizimpro may harm an unborn baby. Your health care provider will give you a test to make sure you are not pregnant before you start taking Vizimpro. If you can get pregnant, you should use birth control while taking Vizimpro and for 17 days after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Vizimpro passes into breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking Vizimpro and for 17 days after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Vizimpro?

For more information about Vizimpro, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.vizimpro.com or call them at 800-438-1985.

Interactions

Does Vizimpro interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Vizimpro and foods or drinks.

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

Does Vizimpro 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 Vizimpro.

  • A proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (Aciphex)
  • An H2 blocker, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), or nizatidine (Axid)
  • An antacid containing calcium, aluminum, magnesium, or iron
  • Dextromethorphan, a medicine used to treat coughing that comes with infections such as the common cold
  • Paroxetine, which is a medicine called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is commonly used for anxiety and depression

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Vizimpro 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 Vizimpro. 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

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Vizimpro?

If you or someone else has used too much Vizimpro, 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 Vizimpro?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Look up another drug