FDA Approves Lexicon's Xermelo For Carcinoid Syndrome Diarrhea

(RTTNews) - Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (LXRX) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved XERMELO or telotristat ethyl 250 mg as a first and only orally administered therapy for the treatment of carcinoid syndrome diarrhea in combination with somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy in adults inadequately controlled by SSA therapy.

Carcinoid syndrome is a rare and debilitating condition that affects people with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (mNETs). XERMELO targets the overproduction of serotonin inside mNET cells, providing a new treatment option for patients suffering from carcinoid syndrome diarrhea.

The company noted that the new treatment is now available by prescription and will be in select specialty pharmacies beginning March 6, 2017.

Carcinoid syndrome is a rare condition that occurs in patients living with mNETs[iv] and is characterized by frequent and debilitating diarrhea that often prevents patients from leading active, predictable lives, as well as by facial flushing, abdominal pain, fatigue and, over time, heart valve damage.