Telotristat ethyl


Telotristat ethyl is a prodrug of telotristat, which is an inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase. It is formulated as telotristat etiprate — a hippurate salt of telotristat ethyl.
On February 28, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved telotristat ethyl in combination with somatostatin analog therapy for the treatment of adults with diarrhea associated with carcinoid syndrome that SSA therapy alone has inadequately controlled. Telotristat ethyl was approved for use in the European Union in September 2017.

Pharmacology

Telotristat is an inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase, which mediates the rate-limiting step in serotonin biosynthesis.

Adverse effects

Common adverse effects noted in clinical trials include nausea, headache, elevated liver enzymes, depression, accumulation of fluid causing swelling, flatulence, decreased appetite, and fever. Constipation is also common, and may be serious or life-threatening.

Formulations

It is marketed by Lexicon Pharmaceuticals. 328 mg telotristat etiprate is equivalent to 250 mg telotristate ethyl.