Alectinib Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Alectinib Capsule (generic name: alectinib) is a prescription kinase inhibitor taken by mouth to treat adults with a type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) caused by an abnormal ALK gene. It is used both after surgery to help prevent the cancer from returning and to treat cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Alectinib works by blocking the abnormal ALK protein that drives cancer cell growth. It is taken twice daily with food as capsules that must be swallowed whole.

What is Alectinib Capsule

Alectinib is a prescription cancer medicine taken by mouth. It is used in adults with a type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) caused by an abnormal ALK gene. It belongs to a class of medicines called kinase inhibitors, specifically a multikinase inhibitor that targets the ALK tyrosine kinase.

Alectinib Capsule uses

• Adjuvant (after surgery) treatment in adults following tumor removal for ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with tumors 4 cm or larger or that have spread to lymph nodes
• Treatment of adults with ALK-positive metastatic (spread to other parts of the body) non-small cell lung cancer

Benefits of Alectinib Capsule

• Helps stop or slow the growth and spread of ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer
• Used after surgery to help reduce the chance of the lung cancer coming back
• Taken as capsules by mouth, allowing treatment at home

How Alectinib Capsule works

Alectinib blocks the abnormal ALK protein that drives cancer cell growth, which helps slow or stop the growth and spread of ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

Alectinib Capsule dosage

Take this medicine two times a day with food. Swallow the capsules whole; do not open or dissolve the contents. If you miss a dose, do not take the missed dose — just take your next dose at your regular time. If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take an extra dose — take your next dose at your regular time. Do not change your dose or stop taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Your healthcare provider may change your dose, or temporarily or permanently stop treatment if you have side effects.

Available forms and strengths

• Hard capsules, 150 mg

Side effects of Alectinib Capsule

Common

• Constipation
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (myalgia)
• Swelling in hands, feet, ankles, face, and eyelids (edema)
• Rash
• Cough
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Anemia
• Abnormal or metallic taste in the mouth
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Weight gain
• Blurred vision or other vision changes

Serious

• Liver problems (hepatotoxicity), including severe liver injury
• Lung inflammation (interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis)
• Kidney problems, which can be severe and potentially fatal
• Slow heartbeat (bradycardia) that can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Severe muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with high creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels
• Hemolytic anemia (breakdown of red blood cells)
• Gastrointestinal perforation (a tear in the stomach or intestine) — reported in Canadian product information
• Severe sunburn or skin sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity)

Warnings and precautions

• Liver problems are common and can be severe. Your doctor will do regular blood tests to check your liver, especially during the first few months of treatment.
• This medicine can cause severe or life-threatening lung inflammation, with symptoms that can look like lung cancer symptoms.
• This medicine can cause severe kidney problems that can be life-threatening.
• This medicine can cause a very slow heartbeat, which can be severe.
• Muscle problems, including severe muscle pain and muscle breakdown, are common and can be serious.
• This medicine can cause early breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia).
• This medicine can cause a tear in the stomach or intestine, which can be life-threatening.
• Your skin may become very sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of severe sunburn. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and use sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 50 or higher.
• This medicine can harm an unborn baby. Pregnancy should be ruled out before starting treatment, and effective birth control should be used during treatment and for a period after the last dose.
• Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for one week after the last dose, because it is not known if the medicine passes into breast milk and it could harm the baby.
• This medicine can cause severe, and sometimes fatal, kidney problems. No dose change is needed for mild or moderate kidney impairment, but it has not been studied in people with severe kidney impairment.
• Liver problems, including severe liver injury, can occur. Your doctor will check your liver function with blood tests regularly, especially during the first few months of treatment. A lower dose may be needed for people with severe liver impairment.
• Alcohol may add stress to the liver, so the oncology team should advise whether it should be avoided.
• This medicine can cause dizziness, tiredness, weakness, or vision problems, which may affect your ability to drive or use machinery safely.

Storage

• Do not store above 86°F (30°C)
• Store in the original container to protect from light and moisture
• Keep capsules dry
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Do not throw away unused medicine in the garbage, down the drain, or in the toilet; ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer need

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you notice signs of liver problems, such as yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, itchy skin, tiredness, reduced appetite, nausea or vomiting, pain on the right side of your stomach, or easy bruising or bleeding.
• Get medical help right away if you have new or worsening breathing problems, such as trouble breathing, shortness of breath, cough, or fever.
• Get medical help right away if you notice a change in the amount or color of your urine, or new or worsening swelling in your legs or feet.
• Get medical help right away if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint.
• Get medical help right away if you have new or worsening unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.
• Get medical help right away if you develop yellow skin, weakness, dizziness, or shortness of breath, which could be signs of a blood problem.
• Seek immediate medical help for severe stomach or abdominal pain, fever, chills, or changes in bowel habits, which could be signs of a serious tear in the stomach or intestine.
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment.

Alternatives

• Brigatinib
• Lorlatinib
• Ceritinib
• Crizotinib