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Precautions and Warnings With Vismodegib
You should not donate blood or blood products while taking vismodegib, or for seven months after your last dose. Safety warnings associated with vismodegib also include precautions for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. In addition, this medication may cause drug interactions or allergic reactions in some people, so make sure your healthcare provider knows your medical history and all medications you are taking.
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking vismodegib (Erivedge™) if you have:
- Plans to donate blood or blood products
- Any allergies, including to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant (see Erivedge and Pregnancy)
- Breastfeeding (see Erivedge and Breastfeeding).
You should also tell your healthcare provider about all other medications you are taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Some warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking this medication include the following:
- You should not donate blood or blood products (such as plasma) during vismodegib treatment or for seven months after you take your last dose.
- Vismodegib may react with a number of other medications (see Drug Interactions With Vismodegib).
- Vismodegib is a pregnancy Category D medication because it may harm an unborn child. Your healthcare provider will do a pregnancy test within seven days of beginning treatment to see if you are pregnant (see Erivedge and Pregnancy). Also, you should use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for at least seven months after your last dose.
- It is unknown whether vismodegib passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Erivedge and Breastfeeding).
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH, BCPP
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD