Gavreto (pralsetinib) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain forms of lung cancer and thyroid cancer in adults and some children. Gavreto comes as a capsule that’s typically taken once per day.
Gavreto is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:
- adults with metastatic rearranged during transfection (RET) fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- people ages 12 years and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer, who also need systemic therapy and where radioactive iodine doesn’t work
Gavreto is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called rearranged during transfection (RET) kinase inhibitors. Gavreto is not available in a biosimilar version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Gavreto, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Gavreto, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Gavreto provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Gavreto, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Below is information about Gavreto’s recommended dosages.
Gavreto form
Gavreto comes as an oral capsule.
Gavreto strength
Gavreto comes in one strength of 100 milligrams (mg).
Typical dosage
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for non-small cell lung cancer
Doctors may prescribe Gavreto to treat RET fusion-positive metastatic NSCLC.
If your doctor prescribes Gavreto for NSCLC, your starting dose will likely be 400 mg. Typically, you’ll take this once daily. This is the usual recommended maintenance dosage of Gavreto for people with NSCLC. It is also the maximum dosage of Gavreto that’s recommended.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for thyroid cancer
Doctors may also prescribe Gavreto to treat RET fusion-positive metastatic thyroid cancer.
If your doctor prescribes Gavreto for thyroid cancer, your starting dose will likely be 400 mg. Typically, you’ll take this once daily. This is the usual recommended maintenance dosage of Gavreto for people with thyroid cancer. It is also the maximum dosage of Gavreto that’s recommended.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Children’s dosage
Gavreto is approved to treat RET fusion-positive metastatic thyroid cancer in children ages 12 years and older.
If your child’s doctor prescribes Gavreto for thyroid cancer, the starting dose will likely be 400 mg. Typically, your child takes this dose once daily. This is the usual recommended maintenance dosage of Gavreto for people with thyroid cancer. It is also the maximum dosage of Gavreto that’s recommended.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Long-term treatment
Gavreto is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Gavreto is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Before you start taking Gavreto, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to take Gavreto.
The Gavreto dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- how your body responds to Gavreto
- other medications you take
- side effects you may have with Gavreto
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage depending on the type of side effects you have and how severe the reaction is. Your doctor will typically reduce your dose when you experience side effects. Some examples of side effects where your doctor may need to reduce your dose include:
- high blood pressure
- liver damage
- bleeding
- pneumonitis (lung inflammation)
Your doctor may also need to adjust your dosage if you take certain medications, such as CYP3A4* inhibitors or inducers that depend on the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transport protein.† These drugs can affect the level of Gavreto in your body. To find out what drugs may interact with Gavreto, see this article.
If you are unable to tolerate at least 100 mg, your doctor will likely discontinue Gavreto.
Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.
* CYP3A4 is an enzyme (a type of protein) in the liver that breaks down medications.
† Transport proteins move drugs in and out of cells in your body.
Gavreto comes as an oral capsule that you swallow whole. Your doctor will likely recommend taking Gavreto on an empty stomach. This means 2 hours before or at least 1 hour after a meal.
It may be helpful to take Gavreto around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Gavreto can work effectively.
If you have trouble swallowing capsules, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Gavreto in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss a dose of Gavreto, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at your regular time the next day. If you vomit after taking a dose of Gavreto, do not take an extra dose to make up for the dose you just vomited. Take your next dose at your normal time the following day. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you do not take more Gavreto than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Gavreto
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Gavreto. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Gavreto.
Is the dosage of Gavreto similar to the dosage of Retevmo?
Yes, the forms and uses for each drug are similar. Gavreto and Retevmo (selpercatinib) both come as capsules. Gavreto is typically taken once per day, and Retevmo is typically taken twice per day.
However, the dose in milligrams for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for Gavreto to start working?
Gavreto starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Gavreto treatment.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Gavreto for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Gavreto without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Gavreto that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Gavreto. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Gavreto: For information about other aspects of Gavreto, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Gavreto, see this article. You can also look at the Gavreto prescribing information.
- Details about your condition: For details about lung cancer or thyroid cancer, see our cancer hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.