Help for Carcinoid Syndrome Diarrhea

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a medication to treat diarrhea caused by rare tumors.

This medication is found under the brand name Xermelo. Its active ingredient is telotristat ethyl.

Xermelo was approved to be used in combination with somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy to treat adults with carcinoid syndrome diarrhea. It is specified for those who haven't seen improvement with SSA therapy alone.

Carcinoid syndrome is a term used to describe a group symptoms some people with carcinoid tumors experience. These tumors are rare and often found in the stomach and intestines.

When these tumors spread to the liver, patients may experience carcinoid syndrome. The tumors release a large amount of serotonin, which results in diarrhea.

Diarrhea can have serious health effects, including weight loss, inadequate nutrition, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

But telotristat ethyl could help, according to the FDA. It's available as a tablet and is to be taken three times daily with food.

Common side effects include nausea, headache, an increase in a specific liver enzyme and depression. This medication may also result in constipation. Some patients who received a higher-than-recommended dose during clinical trials experienced severe constipation.  

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals manufactures Xermelo.