VISMODEGIB APPROVE DIN SWITZERLAND 

ZURICH (Reuters) Jun 11 - Roche Holding AG has received Swiss approval for vismodegib (Erivedge) for treatment of advanced forms of basal cell carcinoma.

Erivedge is designed to selectively inhibit abnormal signaling in the Hedgehog pathway, which is an underlying molecular driver of basal cell carcinoma, Roche notes in a statement.

Erivedge is an oral drug taken three times daily.

The drug was approved in the United States earlier in January and recommended for approval by European regulators in April.

According to Roche, the most common side effects of Erivedge are muscle spasms, hair loss, change in how things taste or loss of taste, weight loss, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, constipation, vomiting and joint aches.

Other side effects may include missed monthly periods in women of childbearing age, low levels of sodium in the blood, low potassium levels, and a higher than normal blood level of urea or other nitrogen containing compounds in the blood.