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Overview: Hernexeos is used to treat certain people with a type of lung cancer. Common side effects include rash, tiredness, and nausea. Diarrhea is also a common side effect but can be serious. Tell your health care provider right away if you have diarrhea, new or worsening cough or shortness of breath, or changes in the color of your pee (urine) or poop (stool). Get emergency help if you have trouble breathing or chest pain.

Uses

What is Hernexeos used for?

Hernexeos (zongertinib) is commonly used to treat certain people who have a type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 

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

How does Hernexeos work (mechanism of action)?

Hernexeos is a type of medicine called a kinase inhibitor. Some types of non-small cell lung cancer have mutations that can be found through testing. Hernexeos blocks the activity of certain mutant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) proteins, called HER2. When HER2 is blocked, it quits sending the signal to cells to grow and multiply. This causes the cells to die and can cause tumors to shrink in size.

How is Hernexeos supplied (dosage forms)?

Hernexeos is available in a 60 mg tablet that is taken by mouth.

How should I store Hernexeos?

Hernexeos should be stored in the original bottle with the lid tightly closed 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 transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. 

There should be two desiccants in the bottle. These help to prevent moisture from affecting the tablets. Leave the desiccants in the bottle. Be careful not to eat or swallow the desiccants. Throw away any unused tablets 3 months after you open the bottle for the first time.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Hernexeos?

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

  • Diarrhea (see below)
  • Liver damage (see below)
  • Rash
  • Tiredness
  • Nausea
  • Low white blood cell levels (lymphocytopenia)
  • Low potassium levels (hypokalemia)

There may be other side effects of Hernexeos 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 Hernexeos?

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

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

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, that may be life-threatening can happen when taking Hernexeos. Your health care provider will likely check your liver function tests while you are taking this medicine to watch for problems. Keep all appointments, including appointments for lab work. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
  • Bruising or bleeding more easily

Heart Failure. Hernexeos may increase your risk of heart failure. Keep all appointments, as your health care provider will likely check your heart while you are taking this medicine. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Unusually fast weight gain
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Cough
  • Fast, pounding, or racing heart

Lung Inflammation. Hernexeos can cause inflammation in your lungs, also called interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis. This can be serious or even life-threatening. Call your health care provider right away if you get new or worsening breathing problems or cough. You may also have a fever. Get emergency help if you have trouble breathing or chest pain. 

Diarrhea. Diarrhea is common with Hernexeos, but it can sometimes be severe. Call your health care provider right away if you have diarrhea. If you are given medicine to prevent or treat diarrhea, take it exactly as your health care provider tells you. Hernexeos may need to be held or stopped until the diarrhea gets better. If your diarrhea does not go away or gets worse, call your health care provider right away.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Hernexeos?

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

  • Hernexeos 
  • Zongertinib
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

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

What should I know about Hernexeos before using it?

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

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

Keep Hernexeos out of the reach of children.

Do not crush, chew, or break Hernexeos tablets. They should be swallowed whole. 

Hernexeos may make it hard for you to get pregnant or get your partner pregnant. If you may want to have children one day, talk to your health care provider.

Hernexeos can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening side effects. Keep all appointments to have your blood or heart checked. Also, keep all appointments with your health care provider while you are being treated with this medicine. Your dose of Hernexeos may need to be lowered, and this medicine may be stopped in certain cases.

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

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 Hernexeos 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.

  • Heart problems, including heart failure
  • Liver problems
  • Lung problems other than lung cancer

Other Medicines and Supplements. Hernexeos may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Hernexeos, 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. Hernexeos may cause harm to an unborn baby. Your health care provider will likely do a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant before you start taking Hernexeos. Use effective birth control while you are taking this medicine and for 2 weeks after the last dose. Talk to your health care provider about your birth control options. Tell your health care provider right away if you get pregnant or think you may be pregnant while you are taking Hernexeos.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Hernexeos passes into breast milk. Do not breastfeed while you are taking this medicine and for 2 weeks after the last dose. 

How can I get more information about Hernexeos?

For more information about Hernexeos, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.hernexeos.com or call them at 855-297-5903.

Interactions

Does Hernexeos interact with foods or drinks?

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

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

Does Hernexeos 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 Hernexeos.

  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Rosuvastatin (Crestor), which is a medicine to lower cholesterol

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Hernexeos, 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 Hernexeos. 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 Hernexeos?

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

If you miss a dose and it is within 12 hours of when you should have taken it, take it as soon as you remember. If it has been more than 12 hours since you would have taken your dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. 

If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take another tablet. Just take your next dose when you usually would.