WELIREG 40MG TAB ( BELZUTIFAN )

Welireg (Belzutifan) is an oral medication approved for the treatment of specific cancers associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease and advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

🧬 Composition & Classification

• Generic Name: Belzutifan

• Brand Name: Welireg

• Drug Class: Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-2 Alpha (HIF-2α) Inhibitor

• Manufacturer: Merck & Co., Inc.

        Belzutifan functions by inhibiting HIF-2α, a transcription factor involved in tumor growth and survival under low oxygen conditions.

📋 Indications

       Welireg is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:

• von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease who require therapy for associated:

  • Renal cell carcinoma (RCC)

  • Central nervous system (CNS) hemangioblastomas

  • Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET)

• Advanced RCC following prior treatment with a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor and a VEGF-TKI.

💊 Dosage & Administration

• Recommended Dosage: 120 mg orally once daily (three 40 mg tablets)

• Administration: Take with or without food at the same time each day. Swallow tablets whole; do not chew, crush, or split.

• Missed Dose: If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible on the same day. Resume the regular dosing schedule the next day. Do not take extra tablets to make up for the missed dose.

⚠️ Warnings & Precautions

• Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Welireg can cause fetal harm. Verify pregnancy status prior to initiation. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective non-hormonal contraception during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose.

• Anemia: Welireg may cause severe anemia, potentially requiring blood transfusions. Monitor hemoglobin levels before and during treatment.

• Hypoxia: Welireg can cause low oxygen levels, which may be severe and require discontinuation of therapy. Monitor oxygen levels before and during treatment.

• Drug Interactions: Belzutifan may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives by affecting CYP3A4 metabolism. Advise patients to use non-hormonal contraception.

⚠️ Side Effects

      Common Side Effects:

• Decreased hemoglobin (anemia)

• Fatigue

• Increased creatinine

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Increased glucose levels

       Serious Side Effects:

• Hypoxia (low oxygen levels)

• Anemia requiring transfusion

• Pneumonia

• Hemorrhage

• Pleural effusion

✅ Conclusion

Welireg (Belzutifan) offers a targeted treatment option for patients with VHL-associated tumors and advanced RCC. Its mechanism of inhibiting HIF-2α addresses the underlying pathophysiology of these conditions. However, due to potential serious side effects such as anemia and hypoxia, careful monitoring and patient selection are essential. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of Welireg with their healthcare provider to determine its suitability for their treatment plan.