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As you begin treatment with WELIREG, the following information is available to make it easier for you to ask your doctor the right questions and track your treatment.
It’s normal to have questions about your condition and medicine at the start of your treatment plan. As you get started, the Doctor Discussion Guide can help you start the conversation at your next appointment.
Get the guide (PDF)One of the best ways to remember to take WELIREG at the same time each day is by creating a routine. This can make it easier to establish a new habit—like taking a new medication. Use the following tips to help you create a routine that reminds you to take WELIREG at the right time every day.
Set a daily alarm on your cell phone or other smart device to help you remember to take your medication on time every day.
Think about the morning habits you already have, like brushing your teeth or taking a shower, and pair that with taking WELIREG. Over time, the two habits will become connected.
If you have family or friends who have offered to help you, set up a phone chain where one person calls or texts you each day. Not only will you remember to take your medication, but you’ll also stay connected to the people you love.
Click the button below to download the "Build Your Support Community" guide to help determine your needs and identify people you can reach out to for support.
For assistance, please call 833-WELIREG (833-935-4734)
While everyone’s experience taking WELIREG may differ, here are a few more tips that may be helpful to you. Your health care team can offer additional resources and support.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Speak with your health care team to make a plan to reach your goals and do the things you enjoy.
If you’re feeling tired, ask for help from your friends and family—and make sure to talk to your health care team.
During treatment, changes in your body may lead to changes in how you eat, talk, and feel about yourself. Click the button below to download the "Food, Communication, and Confidence" guide for suggestions to help you feel your best.
Food, Communication, and Confidence (PDF)
An organization dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people at risk or affected by kidney disease through prevention, education, and empowerment.
Visit National Kidney FoundationPromotes scientific advances, participates in legislative advocacy, and seeks to be a source of education and resources for patients, caregivers, and anyone impacted by kidney cancer.
Visit Kidney Cancer AssociationA partner dedicated to helping people with kidney cancer and their caregivers by providing education, resources, and support.
Visit KidneyCANThe organizations listed above are not affiliated with Merck. Merck does not review or control their content. The list does not constitute endorsement by Merck.
Even before your first treatment, write down how you feel physically and emotionally. This will help you recognize if you start to feel anything out of the ordinary. Keep these key things in mind:
Use these suggestions as a starting point for writing down how you are feeling:
You should speak up immediately if you feel something new or different.
Calling or talking to a member of your cancer care team may keep your side effects from getting more serious. It may also enable your doctor to help you manage any side effects with medication.
WELIREG is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with kidney cancer that has spread (advanced RCC) following treatment with a PD-1 or PD-L1 and VEGF cancer medicines.
It is not known if WELIREG is safe and effective in children.
PD-1 = programmed death receptor-1; PD-L1 = programmed death-ligand 1; VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor.
WELIREG may cause serious side effects. WELIREG may cause harm to your unborn baby.
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 health care provider will do blood tests to check your red blood cell counts before you start and during treatment with WELIREG. Tell your health care 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 with WELIREG, receive oxygen therapy, or be hospitalized. Your health care provider will monitor your oxygen levels before you start and during treatment with WELIREG. Tell your health care 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:
Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant:
Before taking WELIREG, tell your health care provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. WELIREG and certain other medicines can affect each other and cause serious side effects.
The most common side effects of WELIREG in adults with VHL disease include:
The most common side effects of WELIREG in adults with advanced RCC include:
WELIREG may cause fertility problems in males and females, which may affect your ability to have children. Talk to your health care provider if this is a concern for you.
These are not all of the possible side effects of WELIREG. Call your health care provider for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please read the accompanying Medication Guide for WELIREG, including an important warning about harm to an unborn baby, and discuss it with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.