Veppanu (Vepdegestrant) for Breast Cancer

Veppanu (vepdegestrant) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with breast cancer.

How Veppanu Works and How It’s Taken

Veppanu is a type of medication called an estrogen receptor degrader. It attaches to the estrogen receptor and helps break it down inside cancer cells. This lowers estrogen receptor levels in breast cancer cells, including cells with certain estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) mutations.

Doctors prescribe Veppanu when adults have ER-positive, HER2-negative, advanced or metastatic breast cancer with an ESR1 mutation that has progressed after at least one line of endocrine therapy. A healthcare provider will use an FDA-authorized test to check for the ESR1 mutation.

Veppanu is taken as a tablet by mouth once daily with food. Take the dose at about the same time each day. Swallow the tablets whole, and do not chew, crush, dissolve, or split them.

Typical Dosing for Breast Cancer

The recommended dose of Veppanu for breast cancer is 200 milligrams taken by mouth once daily with food. Treatment usually continues until the cancer gets worse or side effects become unacceptable.

Doctors may pause treatment, lower the dose, or stop treatment if side effects are serious or difficult to manage.

This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Veppanu Side Effects

In clinical trials of Veppanu used for adults with ER-positive, HER2-negative, ESR1-mutated advanced or metastatic breast cancer after disease progression following at least one line of endocrine therapy, the most common side effects occurred in 10 percent to 30 percent of people taking Veppanu.

These side effects include:

Low white blood cell counts
Increased liver blood tests
Muscle and bone pain
Fatigue
Low red blood cell counts
Low neutrophil counts
Nausea
Low potassium levels
Increased bilirubin
Decreased appetite
QT prolongation on an electrocardiogram (a change in the heart’s electrical activity)
Low platelet counts
Constipation

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Veppanu can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

Heart rhythm problems (QTc interval prolongation) — This can increase the risk of dangerous abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death.
Embryo-fetal toxicity — Veppanu can harm your baby if you are pregnant.
Fertility problems — Veppanu may affect fertility in males and females of reproductive potential.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction to Veppanu.

What To Know Before Taking Veppanu

Before starting Veppanu, your doctor will check for an ESR1 mutation, evaluate your heart rhythm with an ECG, measure your potassium and magnesium levels, and check pregnancy status if you can become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to vepdegestrant or any ingredients in Veppanu.

Tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.

If you miss a dose or vomit after taking Veppanu, skip that dose and take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time.

Veppanu can harm your baby if you are pregnant. Females who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for two weeks after the last dose. Males with female partners who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for two weeks after the last dose.

Do not breastfeed during treatment with Veppanu and for two weeks after the last dose. Veppanu may also affect fertility in males and females of reproductive potential.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Veppanu?

In a study of people with ER-positive, HER2-negative, advanced or metastatic breast cancer with ESR1 mutations, Veppanu helped delay cancer growth longer than fulvestrant. Median progression-free survival was 5.0 months with Veppanu compared with 2.1 months with fulvestrant. Among people with measurable disease, 19 percent had tumor shrinkage with Veppanu, compared with 4 percent with fulvestrant.

What tests or monitoring are needed with Veppanu for breast cancer?

Before starting Veppanu, an FDA-authorized test is used to confirm that the breast cancer has an ESR1 mutation. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is needed before treatment starts, again about four weeks after starting treatment, and then as clinically needed because Veppanu can prolong the QTc interval.

Electrolytes, including potassium and magnesium, should be corrected before and during treatment.