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

Quick overview

Xalkori Capsule (generic name: crizotinib) is a prescription kinase inhibitor medicine used to treat certain cancers, including ALK- or ROS1-positive metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer, anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. It comes as capsules or pellets that are swallowed, typically twice daily. It works by blocking proteins that help cancer or tumor cells grow and survive, and it carries important warnings regarding liver, heart, and vision effects.

What is Xalkori Capsule

Xalkori is a prescription cancer medicine that comes as a capsule or as pellets you swallow. It belongs to a group of medicines called kinase inhibitors.

Xalkori Capsule uses

• Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread and is linked to a change in the ALK or ROS1 gene
• Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL), a type of blood cancer, in certain adults and children
• Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), a tumor in soft tissue that is usually not cancerous

Benefits of Xalkori Capsule

• Treats certain ALK-positive cancers
• Treats certain ROS1-positive metastatic non-small-cell lung cancers
• Treats certain ALK-positive inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors
• Blocks abnormal kinase signaling involved in cancer growth
• Provides an oral targeted-therapy option

How Xalkori Capsule works

Xalkori blocks certain proteins (like ALK and ROS1) that help cancer or tumor cells grow and survive. By blocking these proteins, it can slow tumor growth or cause these cells to die.

Xalkori Capsule dosage

Take this medicine twice a day, usually once in the morning and once in the evening, around the same times each day. It can be taken with or without food. Swallow capsules whole — do not crush, split, or chew them.

If you take pellets, pour them directly into your mouth or take them from a spoon or medicine cup, then drink water right away to make sure they are all swallowed; do not chew or crush the pellets, and do not swallow the outer shell.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is close to your next dose, in which case skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule — do not take two doses at once. If you vomit after a dose, do not take another dose; just take your next dose at the usual time.

Children and young adults may need extra medicine to help prevent or treat severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea while on this treatment.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral capsules (200 mg, 250 mg)
• Oral pellets (20 mg, 50 mg, 150 mg)

Side effects of Xalkori Capsule

Common

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Swelling in hands, feet, face, or eyes
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Infections such as colds or sore throat
• Dizziness
• Numbness or tingling in arms or legs
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pain
• Fever
• Cough
• Itchy skin
• Mouth sores
• Vision changes such as blurred or double vision

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction (breathing problems, swelling of face/lips/throat, hives, racing heart)
• Liver damage (yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, light-colored stools, nausea, fatigue)
• Lung inflammation (trouble breathing, cough, fever, chest pain)
• Heart rhythm changes (irregular or very slow heartbeat, fainting, chest pain)
• Severe vision problems, including possible vision loss
• Severe diarrhea, vomiting, or mouth sores, especially in children and young adults
• Low blood cell counts (frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, fatigue)

Warnings and precautions

• Xalkori can harm an unborn baby. Do not take it during pregnancy. Women who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for 45 days after the last dose. Men should use condoms during treatment and for 90 days after their last dose.
• It is not known if Xalkori passes into breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 45 days after your last dose.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before taking Xalkori.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver problems before taking Xalkori, since this medicine can cause serious liver damage.
• It isn't known whether alcohol affects Xalkori directly, but heavy drinking can weaken your immune system and may increase the risk of liver problems.
• This medicine can affect your alertness, coordination, or vision. Do not drive or do activities that require alertness until you know how Xalkori affects you.
• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking this medicine, since they can raise the level of the drug in your body and increase side effects.
• This medicine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of severe sunburn. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing if you must be in the sun.
• Body fluids such as urine, feces, or vomit may contain the drug. Caregivers should wear gloves when handling these, wash hands afterward, and wash soiled laundry separately.
• Tell your doctor about any heart conditions, including irregular heart rhythms, since this medicine can affect heart rhythm, especially with certain other medicines.
• Do not take this medicine with certain drugs that strongly affect how your body processes it, such as some antifungal medicines, rifampin, or St. John's wort, without talking to your doctor.

Storage

• Store at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C)
• It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it
• Store in a cool, dry place

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away for signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or hives.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, severe tiredness, or stomach pain, which could mean liver problems.
• Seek medical help immediately for new or worsening shortness of breath, cough, or fever, which could signal a serious lung problem.
• Call your doctor right away if you have new or worsening vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision, seeing flashes of light, or vision loss.
• Get medical help right away if you think you or someone else has taken too much Xalkori.
• Call your doctor right away if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint, or notice a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.

Alternatives

• Ceritinib
• Alectinib
• Brigatinib