Welireg

Generic name:belzutifan
Dosage form: tablets
Drug class:Miscellaneous antineoplastics

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 1, 2021.

What is Welireg?

Welireg is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease who need treatment for a type of kidney cancer called renal cell carcinoma (RCC), tumors in the brain and spinal cord called central nervous system hemangioblastomas, or a type of pancreatic cancer called pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, that do not require surgery right away.

It is not known if this medicine is safe and effective in children.

Important information

Welireg may cause serious side effects, including:

• Low red blood cell counts (anemia). Low red blood cell counts are common with Welireg and can be severe. You may need a blood transfusion if your red blood cell counts drop too low. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your red blood cell counts before you start, and during treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you get any symptoms of low red blood cell counts, including tiredness, feeling cold, shortness of breath, chest pain, or fast heartbeat.
• Low oxygen levels in your body. Welireg can cause low oxygen levels in your body that can be severe and may require you to stop treatment, receive oxygen therapy, or be hospitalized. Your healthcare provider will monitor your oxygen levels before you start, and during treatment. Tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you get symptoms of low oxygen in your body, including shortness of breath or increased heart rate.
• Harm to your unborn baby. Treatment with Welireg during pregnancy can cause harm to your unborn baby.
  Females who are able to become pregnant:
  • Your healthcare provider will do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with Welireg.
  • You should use an effective form of non-hormonal birth control (con...