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

Quick overview

Zykadia Capsule contains the active drug ceritinib, a kinase inhibitor used to treat adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is ALK-positive. It works by blocking the abnormal ALK protein that drives cancer cell growth. In a clinical study, people taking Zykadia lived longer without their cancer spreading or getting worse compared with chemotherapy. It is taken once daily with food and requires regular monitoring by a doctor.

What is Zykadia Capsule

Zykadia is a prescription cancer medicine. It contains the active drug ceritinib and is used to treat a type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has a specific gene change called ALK-positive and has spread to other parts of the body.

Zykadia Capsule uses

• Treats adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is metastatic (has spread) and ALK-positive (caused by a defect in the ALK gene)
• Used when the cancer has a confirmed ALK gene abnormality, tested for in advance

Benefits of Zykadia Capsule

• In a clinical study, people who took Zykadia lived longer without their cancer spreading or getting worse compared with people who received chemotherapy
• Works as a targeted therapy that specifically blocks the abnormal ALK protein rather than attacking all fast-growing cells like chemotherapy does

How Zykadia Capsule works

Cancer cells use proteins called kinases to help them grow. In ALK-positive lung cancer, a gene change causes an abnormal kinase called ALK that tells cancer cells to grow and divide out of control. Zykadia blocks the action of ALK, which helps stop the cancer cells from growing and spreading.

Zykadia Capsule dosage

Take once a day, with food, at about the same time each day. Swallow capsules or tablets whole with water; do not chew, crush, or split them. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. Avoid spending time in direct sunlight and use sunscreen and protective clothing, as skin may become more sensitive to sun.

If you miss a dose and your next dose is due in 12 or more hours, take the missed dose when you remember; if less than 12 hours remain, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take an extra dose—just take your next dose at the regular scheduled time.

Not approved for use in children. Keep all appointments for blood tests and heart checks so your doctor can monitor you while you take this medicine.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablets (150 mg)

Side effects of Zykadia Capsule

Common

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal (stomach) pain
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Rash
• Vision problems
• Excessive thirst and high urine output
• Increased appetite with weight loss (at higher, non-approved doses)

Serious

• Heart rhythm problems such as very slow, very fast, or abnormal heartbeats, including QT prolongation — symptoms include chest pain, dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness
• High blood sugar — symptoms include increased thirst, increased hunger, headaches, trouble concentrating, urinating often, blurred vision, tiredness, fruity-smelling breath
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) — symptoms include severe upper stomach pain that may spread to the back and worsen after eating, bloating, gas, nausea and vomiting
• Liver damage — symptoms include tiredness, itchy skin, yellowing of skin or eyes, nausea/vomiting, decreased appetite, pain on the right side of the stomach, dark or brown urine, easy bruising or bleeding
• Lung inflammation (interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis) — symptoms include trouble breathing, shortness of breath, cough, fever, chest pain; can be severe or life-threatening
• Severe allergic reaction — symptoms include swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe itching with rash or hives

Warnings and precautions

• Zykadia can cause serious stomach and intestinal problems like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, which can sometimes be severe.
• Zykadia can cause liver injury; your doctor will check your liver with blood tests at least monthly during treatment.
• Zykadia can cause severe or life-threatening lung inflammation (pneumonitis) that can lead to death.
• Zykadia can cause heart rhythm problems, including very slow, very fast, or abnormal heartbeats, and a condition called QT prolongation.
• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice during treatment, since it can raise the amount of Zykadia in your blood to harmful levels.
• Zykadia should not be used during pregnancy because it can harm an unborn baby. Women who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose. Men whose partners can become pregnant should use condoms during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose.
• Do not breastfeed while taking Zykadia and for at least 2 weeks after the last dose, since it is not known if the drug passes into breast milk and it could harm a breastfed child.
• Tell your doctor about any existing liver problems before starting Zykadia, since the drug can cause liver injury and your doctor will need to monitor your liver with monthly blood tests.
• There are no known direct interactions between alcohol and Zykadia, but drinking heavily may increase the risk of liver problems and side effects, so tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
• Be careful before driving or using machines or tools until you know how this medicine affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)
• Store in a tightly sealed container, away from light
• Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms
• Keep in the original blister container until it is time to take it
• Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills
• Keep out of reach of children and pets
• If you no longer need the medicine or it is expired, take it to a pharmacy for safe disposal; do not use after the expiry date

When to see a doctor

• Call your doctor right away if you notice yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, itching, or easy bruising or bleeding, as these can be signs of liver damage.
• Tell your doctor right away if you have new or worsening trouble breathing, shortness of breath, cough, fever, or chest pain, as these may be signs of serious lung problems.
• Tell your doctor right away if you feel new chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, or have an abnormal heartbeat, as these may be signs of heart problems.
• Call your doctor right away if you have severe upper stomach pain that spreads to your back and worsens after eating, which may be a sign of pancreatitis.
• Get emergency help if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, or severe rash with hives.
• If you think you have taken too much Zykadia, contact your doctor or a poison control center right away, or go to the nearest emergency room if symptoms are severe.

Alternatives

• Alunbrig
• Rozlytrek
• Alecensa