What is XALKORI (Crizotinib)?
XALKORI is a prescription medicine that is used to treat people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to other parts of the body and is caused by a defect in either a gene called ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) or a gene called ROS1
It is not known if XALKORI is safe and effective in children.
What is the most important information I should know about XALKORI ?
- XALKORI may cause serious side effects, including:
- Liver problems
- Lung problems (pneumonitis).
- Heart problems
- Vision problems.
How should I take XALKORI?
- Take XALKORI exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.
- Swallow XALKORI capsules whole.
- You may take XALKORI with or without food.
- Your healthcare provider may change your dose, temporarily stop, or permanently stop treatment with XALKORI if you have certain side effects. Do not change your dose or stop taking XALKORI unless your healthcare provider tells you.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose (within 6 hours), just take your next dose at your regular time.
- If you vomit after taking a dose of XALKORI, do not take an extra dose, just take your next dose at your regular time.
What are the possible side effects of XALKORI?
XALKORI may cause serious side effects, including:
- Liver problems. XALKORI may cause life-threatening liver injury that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests at least every month to check your liver during treatment with XALKORI. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following new or worsening symptoms:
- Yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes
- Severe tiredness
- Dark or brown (tea color) urine
- Nausea or vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Pain on the right side of your stomach
- Bleed or bruise more easily than normal
- Itching
- Lung problems (pneumonitis). XALKORI may cause life-threatening lung problems that may lead to death. Symptoms may be similar to those symptoms from lung cancer. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms, including:
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Fever
- Cough with or without mucous
- Heart problems. XALKORI may cause very slow, very fast, or abnormal heartbeats. Your healthcare provider may check your heart during treatment with XALKORI. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel dizzy or faint or have abnormal heartbeats. Tell your healthcare provider if you take any heart or blood pressure medicines.
- Vision problems. Vision problems are common with XALKORI. These problems usually happen within 1 week of starting treatment with XALKORI. Vision problems with XALKORI can be severe and may cause partial or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes. Your healthcare provider may stop XALKORI and refer you to an eye healthcare provider if you develop severe vision problems during treatment with XALKORI. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any loss of vision or any change in vision, including
- Double vision
- Seeing flashes of light
- New or increased floaters
- Blurry vision
- Light hurting your eyes
- XALKORI may cause decreased fertility in females and males. In females, this could affect your ability to become pregnant. In males, this could affect your ability to father a child. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about fertility.
Important Safety Information
- XALKORI may cause side effects, including:
- Liver problems.
- Lung problems (pneumonitis).
- Heart problems.
- Vision problems
- Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with XALKORI and for at least 45 days after the final dose of XALKORI.
- Males who have female partners who can become pregnant should use condoms during treatment with XALKORI and for at least 90 days after the final dose of XALKORI.
- It is not known if XALKORI passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with XALKORI and for 45 days after the final dose. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during this time.
Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking XALKORI?
Before you take XALKORI, tell your healthcare provider if you:
- Have heart problems, including a condition called long QT syndrome
- Have liver or kidney problems
- Have any other medical conditions
- Have vision or eye problems
- Aer pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. XALKORI can harm your unborn baby.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
General information about XALKORI
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use XALKORI for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give XALKORI to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information about XALKORI that is written for health professionals
What are the ingredients in XALKORI?
Active ingredient: Crizotinib
Other ingredient: Colloidal silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, sodium
starch glycolate, and magnesium stearate.