Gavreto (pralsetinib) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain types of cancer. The drug comes as a capsule you swallow. It’s usually taken once per day.

Gavreto is used to treat:

The active ingredient in Gavreto is pralsetinib. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Gavreto belongs to a group of drugs called kinase inhibitors.

This article describes the dosages of Gavreto, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about Gavreto, see this in-depth article.

* “Advanced cancer” means the cancer has spread locally outside the area where it started or has come back after previous treatment.

† “Metastatic” means the cancer has spread to other areas of the body from where it started.

This section describes the usual dosages of Gavreto. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Gavreto’s form?

Gavreto is available as an oral capsule.

What strength does Gavreto come in?

Gavreto comes in one strength of 100 milligrams (mg).

What are the usual dosages of Gavreto?

Your doctor will likely start you on the recommended dosage of Gavreto that provides the desired effect. They may adjust your dosage based on certain factors, including side effects you may experience and other medications you may be taking that interact with Gavreto.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for thyroid cancer

For adults with a certain type of advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer, the typical dosage of Gavreto is 400 mg taken once daily.

If you have questions about your dosage of Gavreto, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for NSCLC

The typical Gavreto dosage for adults with a type of metastatic NSCLC is 400 mg taken once daily.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage of Gavreto.

What’s the dosage of Gavreto for children?

Gavreto is used to treat a certain type of advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer in children ages 12 years and older.

The dosage used in children is the same as the dosage for adults. To learn more, see the “Dosage for thyroid cancer” section above.

If you have questions about Gavreto’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.

Is Gavreto used long term?

Yes, Gavreto is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term. You’ll likely take Gavreto until it stops working to treat your cancer or until you experience side effects that are serious or bothersome.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about long-term use of Gavreto.

Dosage adjustments

If you experience certain side effects while taking Gavreto, your doctor may lower your dose of the medication. If you cannot tolerate the lowest recommended dose of Gavreto, your doctor will likely stop the medication. They’ll discuss other treatment options that may be more suitable for you.

If you have liver problems, it may take longer for Gavreto to clear from your body. This can increase your risk for side effects from the drug. Your doctor may need to lower your dose of Gavreto. They may pause or stop treatment with Gavreto if needed.

Certain drugs, including strong CYP3A4 inhibitors and strong CYP3A4 inducers, can affect how your body breaks down Gavreto:

  • Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as ketoconazole and cimetidine, work by blocking the CYP3A4 enzyme. (This is the enzyme your body uses to break down Gavreto.) This can increase the amount of Gavreto in your body and raise your risk for side effects. Your doctor may lower your Gavreto dosage if you take one of these medications.
  • Strong CYP3A4 inducers, such as rifampin and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), can increase how quickly the CYP3A4 enzyme breaks down Gavreto. This can lead to a decrease in the amount of Gavreto in your body and cause the drug not to work as well. Your doctor may increase your dosage of Gavreto if you’re taking one of these medications.

If you have questions about dosage adjustments you may need for Gavreto, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The dosage of Gavreto you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

  • other medications you may be taking
  • side effects you may experience
  • other conditions you may have (see the “Dosage adjustments” section above)

Gavreto is available as an oral capsule. You’ll take Gavreto once daily on an empty stomach. Avoid food for 2 hours before and at least 1 hour after taking Gavreto. Try to take Gavreto around the same time each day. Don’t cut, chew, or crush Gavreto capsules. It’s best to swallow the capsules whole.

If you have trouble swallowing capsules, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Gavreto, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Let your pharmacist know if you have trouble opening medication bottles. They may have tips to help, or they may be able to supply Gavreto in an easy-open container.

If you miss a dose of Gavreto, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s the next day, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose at its usual time. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Gavreto on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

If you vomit after taking a dose of Gavreto, don’t take another dose. Just take your next scheduled dose at its usual time.

Do not take more Gavreto than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you take too much Gavreto

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Gavreto. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Gavreto’s dosage.

Is Gavreto’s dosage similar to the dosages of Retevmo?

The forms and uses of each drug are similar, but there are differences. Gavreto and Retevmo are both used to treat types of thyroid cancer and NSCLC, but Retevmo is also approved to treat certain other types of cancer.

The two drugs’ active ingredients, dose in milligrams, and dosage differ. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

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 and check whether the drug is working.

If you have other questions about what to expect from your Gavreto treatment, talk with your doctor.

The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by Gavreto’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Gavreto without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Gavreto exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Does my dosage of Gavreto need to be adjusted if I’m on other cancer treatments?
  • Will I have fewer side effects if my dosage of Gavreto is lowered?
  • How does the dosage of Gavreto compare with Keytruda?

To learn more about Gavreto, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.