Xermelo (telotristat ethyl) approved by FDA as orally administered therapy for the treatment of carcinoid syndrome diarrhea in combination with somatostatin analog therapy- Lexicon Pharmaceuticals

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals announced that the FDA has approved Xermelo (telotristat ethyl) 250 mg as a first and only orally administered therapy for the treatment of carcinoid syndrome diarrhea in combination with somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy in adults inadequately controlled by SSA therapy. Carcinoid syndrome is a rare and debilitating condition that affects people with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (mNETs).

XERMELO targets the overproduction of serotonin inside mNET cells, providing a new treatment option for patients suffering from carcinoid syndrome diarrhea. This new treatment is now available by prescription and will be in select specialty pharmacies beginning March 6, 2017. The most common adverse reactions (at least 5%) include nausea, headache, increased GGT, depression, peripheral edema, flatulence, decreased appetite, and pyrexia.