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

Quick overview

Calquence Capsule contains acalabrutinib, a Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor used to treat certain B-cell blood cancers, including mantle cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and small lymphocytic lymphoma. It works by blocking a protein that cancer cells need to grow and divide. Calquence is taken as a capsule twice daily and requires regular monitoring for side effects such as infections, bleeding, and changes in blood cell counts.

What is Calquence Capsule

Calquence is a targeted cancer treatment capsule containing the active ingredient acalabrutinib. It belongs to a group of anti-cancer medicines called Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, which is a protein that helps cancer cells grow.

Calquence Capsule uses

• Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in combination with bendamustine and rituximab for adults who have not had prior treatment and cannot have an autologous stem cell transplant
• Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in adults who have received at least one prior therapy
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) in adults

Benefits of Calquence Capsule

• Treats certain B-cell blood cancers
• Used for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
• Used for small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
• Helps block BTK signaling involved in cancer-cell survival
• Can help slow disease progression

How Calquence Capsule works

Calquence blocks a protein called BTK that cancer cells use to grow and divide, which may help reduce the number of cancer cells and slow the spread of the cancer.

Calquence Capsule dosage

Take the capsule twice a day, about 12 hours apart, at about the same time each day. Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water; do not open, break, dissolve, or chew it. It can be taken with or without food. Do not switch between Calquence capsules and Calquence tablets, as they are not interchangeable.

If you miss a dose and it has been less than 3 hours past your usual time, take it right away. If more than 3 hours have passed, skip that dose and take the next one at your regular time. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed one.

If you need to take an antacid, take it 2 hours before or 2 hours after Calquence. If you need to take an H2-receptor blocker (acid reducer), take Calquence 2 hours before that medicine. Tell your doctor about recent or planned surgery, as treatment may need to be paused around procedures.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsules (100 mg)

Side effects of Calquence Capsule

Common

• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Lower respiratory tract infection
• Urinary tract infection
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Joint pain
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Bruising
• Rash
• Bleeding (hemorrhage)
• Decreased white blood cell counts (neutropenia)
• Decreased red blood cell counts (anemia)
• Decreased platelet counts (thrombocytopenia)
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• High blood pressure
• Physical weakness or lack of energy (asthenia)

Serious

• Serious infections (bacterial, viral, or fungal), including signs like fever, chills, body aches, cold or flu symptoms, feeling tired, or feeling short of breath
• Serious bleeding, such as blood in stools or urine, bleeding that lasts a long time or cannot be controlled, coughing up blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Heart rhythm problems (cardiac arrhythmias) including fast, racing, pounding, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting
• New cancers, including skin cancer and other solid tumors
• Liver problems including drug-induced liver injury, shown by stomach pain, dark urine, or yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Tumour lysis syndrome, with signs like changes in kidney function, abnormal heartbeat, or seizures
• Severe decreases in blood cell counts
• Allergic reaction signs such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Brain infection that can lead to disability or death, with symptoms such as problems with speech, thought, vision, or muscle movement

Warnings and precautions

• Serious and sometimes fatal infections, including opportunistic infections, can occur during treatment. Report any signs of infection right away.
• Serious and sometimes fatal bleeding events can happen. Taking blood thinners with Calquence may further raise this risk, and treatment may need to be paused before and after surgery.
• Calquence can cause severe drops in blood cell counts, so regular blood tests are needed during treatment.
• New cancers, including skin cancers and other solid tumors, have occurred in people taking this medicine, so sun protection is advised.
• Serious and sometimes fatal heart rhythm problems, such as atrial fibrillation, have occurred. Report symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, or fainting.
• Serious, life-threatening, and potentially fatal liver injury has occurred with this type of medicine, so liver function will be checked before and during treatment.
• Do not take Calquence if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as it may harm an unborn baby and cause problems during childbirth. Use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 1 week after the last dose.
• Do not breastfeed during treatment with Calquence and for at least 2 weeks after the final dose, since it is not known if the medicine passes into breast milk.
• No routine dose adjustment is usually required for mild-to-moderate kidney impairment; severe kidney disease needs specialist review.
• People with severe liver problems should avoid Calquence, and anyone with liver problems or hepatitis B should tell their doctor, since Calquence can cause serious liver injury that is monitored with regular tests.
• Discuss alcohol use with the oncology team, especially if liver function is abnormal.
• Be careful driving or using machinery until you know how Calquence affects you, since it may cause dizziness, weakness, or tiredness in some people.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)
• Keep in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C
• Keep away from moisture, heat, or sunlight; do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on a windowsill
• Keep out of the reach of children
• If no longer needed or out of date, take it to a pharmacy for safe disposal

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away for signs of serious bleeding, such as blood in stools or urine, bleeding that won't stop, coughing up blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
• Seek medical help right away for signs of infection, including fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms.
• Get medical help right away for signs of heart rhythm problems, such as fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath.
• Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice signs of liver problems, such as stomach pain or discomfort, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• Get emergency help for signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Alternatives

• Ibrutinib
• Zanubrutinib
• Venetoclax