Skip to content
ClinCalc Pro
Menu
Calculators Drugs Pathways AI Dx Donate Get the App
Hedgehog pathway (SMO) inhibitor

Vismodegib (Specialist drug)

Brand names: Erivedge

Vismodegib is an oral Hedgehog pathway inhibitor used for symptomatic metastatic basal cell carcinoma or locally advanced disease unsuitable for surgery or radiotherapy.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It inhibits Smoothened, a key transducer of the Hedgehog signalling pathway that is aberrantly activated in basal cell carcinoma.

Prescribing in practice

  • It is highly teratogenic and contraindicated in pregnancy; pregnancy prevention requirements and avoidance of blood and semen donation must be enforced.
  • Common effects include muscle spasms, alopecia, taste disturbance and weight loss, which may limit adherence.
  • It is a specialist medicine initiated and supervised by clinicians experienced in its use.

Monitoring

Monitor adherence to the pregnancy prevention programme and review tolerability including muscle, weight and electrolyte effects.

Counselling the patient

  • Effective contraception is essential during and for the specified period after treatment for both women and men, per the pregnancy prevention programme.
  • Do not donate blood during treatment or for the recommended period afterwards, and men should not donate semen.
  • Report muscle cramps, marked weight loss or loss of taste.

Evidence & guidelines

Approval was based on the ERIVANCE basal cell carcinoma study and is reflected in MHRA-approved labelling.

Reference: NICE; SmPC; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators
Pathways