Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library vismodegib

vismodegib

Pronunciation: VIS moe DEG ib

Brand: Erivedge

What is the most important information I should know about vismodegib?

What is the most important information I should know about vismodegib?

Do not use vismodegib if you are pregnant, or if you are a man and your sexual partner is pregnant. Vismodegib use by either parent may cause severe birth defects or death of a baby.

For Women: Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 24 months after your last dose. Call your doctor at once if you quit using birth control, if your period is late, or if you think you might be pregnant.

For Men: Always use a latex condom and spermicide when having sex, even if you have had a vasectomy. Continue using condoms and spermicide for at least 3 months after you stop taking vismodegib.

What is vismodegib?

What is vismodegib?

Vismodegib is used to treat basal cell carcinoma that has spread to other parts of the body.

Vismodegib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking vismodegib?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking vismodegib?

You should not use vismodegib if you are allergic to it, or:

  • if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

You will need to have a negative pregnancy test within 7 days before you start taking vismodegib.

You must prevent pregnancy while you are taking vismodegib, whether you are a man or a woman. This medicine can cause severe birth defects or death of a baby.

For Women: Use effective birth control while taking vismodegib and for 24 months after your last dose. The birth control method you use must be proven highly effective (at least 99%), such as: hormonal birth control (pills, vaginal ring, implants, or injections), an intrauterine device (IUD), or a tubal ligation. Call your doctor at once if you quit using birth control, if your period is late, or if you think you might be pregnant.

If you become pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of vismodegib on the baby.

For Men: While you are taking vismodegib you must not have unprotected sex with a pregnant woman, or cause a woman to become pregnant. Vismodegib can affect your sperm and may cause harm to the baby at conception or during pregnancy. Always use a latex condom and spermicide when having sex, even if you have had a vasectomy. Continue using condoms and spermicide for at 3 months after you stop taking vismodegib.

Call your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using vismodegib.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • liver disease; or
  • kidney disease.

You should not breast-feed while you are using vismodegib and for 7 months after your last dose.

How should I take vismodegib?

How should I take vismodegib?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take vismodegib with or without food.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking vismodegib?

What should I avoid while taking vismodegib?

Do not donate blood while taking vismodegib and for 7 months after your treatment ends.

Do not donate sperm (semen) while taking vismodegib and for 3 months after your treatment ends.

What are the possible side effects of vismodegib?

What are the possible side effects of vismodegib?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you miss a menstrual period. This could be a side effect, or it may be a sign that you are pregnant.

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite;
  • diarrhea, constipation;
  • tired feeling;
  • joint pain, muscle spasms;
  • hair loss;
  • weight loss; or
  • decreased sense of taste.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect vismodegib?

What other drugs will affect vismodegib?

Other drugs may affect vismodegib, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about vismodegib.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About The Cigna Group Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details