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Xermelo

telotristat ethyl · Tablet

Prescription NDA RLD Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
Xermelo
Generic name
telotristat ethyl
Dosage form
Tablet
Route
Oral
Marketing category
NDA · NDA
Labeler
Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
1
NDC product codes
2
Packages
1
Data completeness
76% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Telotristat Ethyl 250 mg/1 1872453 —

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Tablet
Route of administration
Oral
Presentations
3

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
Tryptophan Hydroxylase Inhibitor [EPC] EPC 1 member — no class page
Tryptophan Hydroxylase Inhibitors [MoA] MoA 1 member — no class page

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
208794
Application type
NDA · New Drug Application
Approval date
February 28, 2017
Sponsor
TERSERA
Products on application
1
Submissions recorded
3
Products approved under application 208794.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
208794-001 XERMELO TABLET TELOTRISTAT ETIPRATE Prescription — RLD RS

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
—
Reference Listed Drug
Yes
Reference Standard
Yes

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Patents and exclusivity

Source: Orange Book
Patent listings submitted under 21 U.S.C. 355(b)(1) and (c)(2).
Patent Expires Product Substance Use code Submitted
7968559 December 11, 2027 001 No U-1979 March 23, 2017
7553840 December 11, 2027 001 Yes March 23, 2017
8653094 December 19, 2028 001 No U-1979 March 23, 2017
8193204 February 27, 2031 001 Yes March 23, 2017
7709493 February 28, 2031 001 Yes U-1979 March 23, 2017

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 208794.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 4 Labeling Approved September 26, 2022 Standard
Supplement 1 Labeling Approved October 26, 2020 Standard
Original application 1 Type 1 - New Molecular Entity Approved February 28, 2017 Priority

Review documents

  • 0 · Supplement · September 27, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · September 27, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · October 30, 2020
  • 0 · Supplement · October 27, 2020
  • 0 · Original application · April 4, 2017
  • 0 · Original application · March 3, 2017
  • 0 · Original application · March 1, 2017

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260806). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20260806 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20251001

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Xermelo is indicated for the treatment of carcinoid syndrome diarrhea in combination with somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy in adults inadequately controlled by SSA therapy. Xermelo is a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of carcinoid syndrome diarrhea in combination with somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy in adults inadequately controlled by SSA therapy. ( 1 )

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dosage of Xermelo in adult patients is 250 mg three times daily for patients whose diarrhea is inadequately controlled by SSA therapy. Administration Take Xermelo with food [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ), Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . When short-acting octreotide is used in combination with Xermelo, administer short-acting octreotide at least 30 minutes after administering Xermelo [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ), Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . If a dose is missed, take the next dose at the regular time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose. Discontinue Xermelo if severe constipation develops [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. The recommended dosage of Xermelo in adult patients is 250 mg three times daily for patients whose diarrhea is inadequately controlled by a SSA therapy. ( 2 ) Take Xermelo with food. ( 2 ) When short-acting octreotide is used in combination with Xermelo, administer short-acting octreotide at least 30 minutes after administering Xermelo. ( 2 , 7.1 ) Discontinue Xermelo if severe constipation develops. ( 2 , 5.1 )

Dosage Forms and Strengths

openFDA Drug Labeling

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Tablets: 250 mg telotristat ethyl; white to off-white, coated and oval with “T-E” debossed on one side and “250” debossed on the other side. Tablets: 250 mg telotristat ethyl ( 3 )

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Xermelo is contraindicated in patients with a history of a hypersensitivity reaction to telotristat. Reactions have included angioedema, rash and pruritus. History of hypersensitivity to telotristat. ( 4 )

Warnings and Cautions

openFDA Drug Labeling

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Constipation: Xermelo reduces bowel movement frequency; monitor patients for constipation, and/or severe persistent or worsening abdominal pain. Discontinue Xermelo if constipation or abdominal pain develops. ( 5.1 ) 5.1 Constipation Xermelo reduces bowel movement frequency and may lead to constipation. Serious complications of constipation have been reported during clinical trials and postmarketing. In a 12-week, placebo-controlled trial, in which patients had 4 or greater bowel movements per day, 2 out of 45 patients treated with a higher than recommended dosage of Xermelo reported constipation. In one patient the constipation was serious, resulting in hospitalization. During the 36-week extension period with higher than the recommended dosage of Xermelo, 10 of 115 patients reported constipation, with individual reports of intestinal perforation, obstruction, and fecaloma. In another 12-week, placebo-controlled trial in which patients had less than 4 bowel movements per day, 4 out of 25 patients treated with the recommended dosage of Xermelo reported constipation. Serious complications of constipation in patients treated with Xermelo at the recommended dosage (e.g., intestinal obstruction) have also been reported in the postmarket setting. Most patients had additional risk factors, including underlying disease and concomitant constipating medications. Given that patients with metastatic carcinoid tumors may have impaired integrity of the gastrointestinal tract wall, monitor for the development of constipation and/or severe, persistent, or worsening abdominal pain in patients taking Xermelo. Discontinue Xermelo if severe constipation or severe persistent or worsening abdominal pain develops [see Dosage and Administration ( 2 ), Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] .

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (≥5%) are nausea, headache, increased GGT, depression, flatulence, decreased appetite, peripheral edema, and pyrexia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact TerSera Therapeutics LLC at 1-844-334-4035 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Xermelo was studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 90 patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoid syndrome diarrhea. Patients reported between 4 to 12 bowel movements daily despite the use of SSA therapy at a stable dose for at least 3 months [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . Placebo or Xermelo 250 mg was administered three times daily for 12 weeks. Concomitant anti-diarrheal medications (e.g., loperamide) were used by 43% (36% and 51% in the placebo and Xermelo group, respectively), pancreatic enzyme replacement medications by 39% (36% and 42% in the placebo and Xermelo group, respectively), and opioid analgesics by 29% (24% and 33% in the placebo and Xermelo group, respectively) of patients during the 12-week double-blind period of the trial. Table 1 below lists adverse reactions occurring at an incidence of at least 5% in the Xermelo group (N=45) and at an incidence greater than placebo (N=45) during the 12-week placebo-controlled period of the trial. Table 1: Percent Common Adverse Reactions a by Treatment Group at 12-Weeks in a Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of Patients with Carcinoid Syndrome Diarrhea a incidence of at least 5% in the Xermelo group and at an incidence greater than placebo b including depression, depressed mood and decreased interest Adverse Reaction Xermelo 250 mg Three Times Daily, N=45 (%) Placebo, N=45 (%) Nausea 13 11 Headache 11 4 Increased gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) 9 0 Depression b 9 7 Peripheral edema 7 2 Flatulence 7 2 Decreased appetite 7 4 Pyrexia 7 4 In another placebo-controlled clinical trial of patients with carcinoid syndrome diarrhea and less than 4 bowel movements per day, the following additional adverse reactions, not listed in Table 1 , of abdominal pain (including upper and lower abdominal pain, abdominal distention and gastrointestinal pain) and constipation were reported in at least 5% of patients in the Xermelo treated group and at an incidence greater than placebo [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Less Common Adverse Reactions : The following is a list of adverse reactions occurring in less than 5% of patients receiving Xermelo during the 12-week placebo-controlled period of the clinical trial: Investigations : increased alkaline phosphatase, increased alanine aminotransferase, and increased aspartate aminotransferase. Fecaloma was reported in one patient treated with Xermelo (at a higher than recommended dosage) during the 36-week open-label extension period following the 12-week double-blind period of the trial. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of Xermelo. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Gastrointestinal: intestinal obstruction [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Immune system disorders: angioedema Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: pruritus, rash

Drug Interactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS CYP3A4 Substrates (e.g., midazolam) and CYP2B6 Substrates (e.g., bupropion, efavirenz): Efficacy of concomitant drugs may be decreased; monitor patients’ response and consider increasing the dosage of the concomitant drug, if necessary. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 CYP3A4 Substrates Concomitant use of Xermelo may decrease the efficacy of drugs that are CYP3A4 substrates (e.g., midazolam) by decreasing their systemic exposure. Monitor patients’ response to CYP3A4 substrates when co-administered with Xermelo and consider increasing the dosage of the interacting drug, if necessary [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 7.2 CYP2B6 Substrates Concomitant use of Xermelo may decrease the efficacy of drugs that are CYP2B6 substrates (e.g., bupropion, efavirenz) by decreasing their systemic exposure. Monitor patients’ response to CYP2B6 substrates when co-administered with Xermelo and consider increasing the dosage of the interacting drug, if necessary [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 7.3 Short-Acting Octreotide Concurrent administration of short-acting octreotide with Xermelo significantly decreased the systemic exposure of telotristat ethyl and telotristat, the active metabolite. If treatment with short-acting octreotide is needed in combination with Xermelo, administer short-acting octreotide at least 30 minutes after administration of Xermelo [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .

Use in Specific Populations

openFDA Drug Labeling

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no human data with Xermelo use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. In animal reproduction studies, no effects on embryo-fetal development were observed with the administration of oral telotristat ethyl to rats during organogenesis at doses up to 750 mg/kg/day (approximately 9 times the exposure at the RHD [recommended human dose]). Treatment of pregnant rabbits with oral telotristat ethyl during organogenesis produced maternal toxicity and post-implantation loss at doses of 250 mg/kg/day or higher (approximately 15 times the exposure at the RHD), and reduced fetal weight at 500 mg/kg/day (approximately 33 times the exposure at the RHD). In a pre-/postnatal development study, an increased incidence of mortality in rat offspring was observed during postnatal days 0 to 4 at the maternal oral dose of 500 mg/kg/day (approximately 5 times the exposure at the RHD), given during organogenesis through lactation (see Data ) . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal data An embryo-fetal development study performed in rats with oral telotristat ethyl at doses up to 750 mg/kg/day (approximately 9 times the AUC [area under the plasma concentration-time curve] for the active metabolite at the RHD) during organogenesis produced no harm to embryo-fetal development. In pregnant rabbits treated orally with telotristat ethyl during organogenesis, an increased incidence of post-implantation loss at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg/day (approximately 15 times the AUC for the active metabolite at RHD) and a decrease in fetal weight at 500 mg/kg/day (approximately 33 times the AUC for the active metabolite at the RHD) was observed. The adverse effects on embryo-fetal development were associated with maternal toxicity (impaired weight gain and/or mortality) at 250 and 500 mg/kg/day. No adverse effects on embryo-fetal development were observed at 125 mg/kg/day (approximately 5 times the AUC for the active metabolite at the RHD). A pre-/postnatal development study was conducted in rats using oral administration of 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg/day telotristat ethyl during organogenesis through lactation. An increased incidence of pup mortality was observed during postnatal days 0 to 4 at the maternal dose of 500 mg/kg/day (approximately 5 times the AUC for the active metabolite at the RHD). No developmental abnormalities or effects on growth, learning and memory, or reproductive performance were observed through maturation of offspring at maternal doses of up to 500 mg/kg/day in surviving offspring. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of telotristat ethyl in human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The effects of local gastrointestinal and systemic exposure to telotristat ethyl on breastfed infants are unknown. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for Xermelo and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from Xermelo or from the underlying maternal condition. Clinical Considerations Monitor the breastfed infant for symptoms of constipation. 8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of Xermelo in pediatric patients have not been established. 8.5 Geriatric Use Of 45 patients in a clinical trial of Xermelo, 19 (42%) patients were 65 years of age and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these patients and younger patients, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger …

Mechanism of Action

openFDA Drug Labeling

12.1 Mechanism of Action Telotristat, the active metabolite of telotristat ethyl, is an inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase, which mediates the rate limiting step in serotonin biosynthesis. The in vitro inhibitory potency of telotristat towards tryptophan hydroxylase is 29 times higher than that of telotristat ethyl. Serotonin plays a role in mediating secretion, motility, inflammation, and sensation of the gastrointestinal tract, and is over-produced in patients with carcinoid syndrome. Through inhibition of tryptophan hydroxylase, telotristat and telotristat ethyl reduce the production of peripheral serotonin, and the frequency of carcinoid syndrome diarrhea.

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

11 DESCRIPTION Xermelo (telotristat ethyl) tablets contain telotristat ethyl as telotristat etiprate, a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor. Telotristat etiprate is the hippurate salt of telotristat ethyl [(S)-ethyl 2-amino-3-(4-(2-amino-6-((R)-1-(4-chloro-2-(3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyrimidin-4-yl)phenyl)propanoate], which undergoes hydrolysis to the active metabolite, (S)-2-amino-3-(4-(2-amino-6-((R)-1-(4-chloro-2-(3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyrimidin-4-yl)phenyl)propanoic acid. The molecular formula of telotristat etiprate is C 27 H 26 ClF 3 N 6 O 3 • C 9 H 9 NO 3 and its molecular weight is 754.2. The molecular weight of the free base (telotristat ethyl) is 575.0. Chemical Structure: Telotristat etiprate is a white to off-white solid. The solubility is a function of pH at 25°C; at pH 1 (0.1N HCl), the solubility is greater than 71 mg/mL., at pH 3 phosphate buffer, the solubility is 0.30 mg/mL, at a pH of 5 to 9, the solubility is negligible. In organic solvents, telotristat etiprate is freely soluble in methanol, soluble in acetone, and sparingly soluble in ethanol. Each Xermelo tablet contains 250 mg of telotristat ethyl (free base) which is equivalent to 328 mg telotristat etiprate. The inactive ingredients of Xermelo tablets include: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose anhydrous, macrogol/PEG, magnesium stearate, polyvinyl alcohol [part hydrolyzed], talc and titanium dioxide. Chemical Structure

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING How Supplied 250 mg tablet: white to off-white coated oval tablet with “T-E” debossed on one side and “250” debossed on the other side. Xermelo is dispensed in a monthly case for a total of 28 days of therapy. Each monthly case contains four weekly boxes. Each weekly box contains seven daily dose packs (day pack). NDC 70183-125-84: Monthly case of 84 tablets. Each child resistant daily dose pack (day pack) contains three 250 mg tablets. Storage Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
5,728
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: TELOTRISTAT ETHYL. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
70720-125-85 70720-125 TerSera Therapeutics LLC 4 BOX in 1 CASE (70720-125-85) / 1 BLISTER PACK in 1 BOX (70720-125-22) / 21 TABLET in 1 BLISTER PACK October 1, 2021
70183-125 70183-125 Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — March 1, 2017
70720-125 70720-125 TerSera Therapeutics LLC — October 5, 2020

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts

Generated September 25, 2026 · 12 sections on this page.