What is Calquence?
Calquence (acalabrutinib) belongs to the class of drugs called kinase inhibitors. Alabrutinib blocks the abnormal protein, which signals the cancer cells to multiply. This stops the spread of cancerous cells. Calquence can be used to treat people who have mantle-cell lymphoma, a cancerous growth that starts in immune cells. Calquence can also be used in combination with obinutuzumab (Gazyva) to treat chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), a cancer type that starts in white blood cells.
Warnings
If you are bleeding and it is not stopping, you should contact your doctor. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: weakness, confusion, headaches, black or bloody stool, pink or brown urine, or vomiting up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Before you take this drug
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Calquence will be safe for you:
- Hepatitis B is an infection that can be active or chronic.
- A heart rhythm disorder.
- Bleeding problems
- Recent surgery, or plan to undergo surgery or medical or dental procedures;
- Liver disease
Calquence can increase your risk of developing other types of cancer. This is something you should discuss with your doctor. Before starting Calquence treatment, you may need to take a pregnancy test.
May cause birth defects. Use effective birth control during and at least one week after the last dose of Calquence if you're pregnant.Inform your doctor immediately if you believe you may have become pregnant. Do not breastfeed for 2 weeks after the last dose of acalabrutinib.
How to take Calquence?
Follow all instructions listed on your prescription label, medication guides or instruction sheets provided with it and all directions that accompany your medication. Sometimes your doctor will change the dose.
You should not change brands without consulting your doctor. Calquence can be taken with or without water, two times per day. Do not chew, crush, break, or dissolve the capsule or tablet.
Tell the surgeon in advance if you will need surgery. You may have to temporarily stop taking the medication. You may need to have frequent blood tests while using Calquence. You may get hepatitis C again if you have had it before. Calquence may require liver function tests. Store at room temperature away from heat and moisture to extend shelf life.
Details on dosage
Adult dose of Calquence:
Take 100 mg every 12 hours.
Comments:
Use obinutuzumab in conjunction with the first cycle (28 days).
Refer to the prescribing information for obinutuzumab for the recommended dosage. If obinutuzumab is given the same day, administer Calquence before obinutuzumab.
The treatment should continue until the disease progresses or there is unacceptable toxicity.
Use:
As monotherapy in adult patients with MCL (mantle cell lymphoma) who have had at least one previous therapy
As monotherapy or combined with obinutuzumab in the treatment of adult cancer patients with CLL or SLL.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you miss a dose by more than three hours, you should take the medication as soon as possible. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Avoid taking an antacid, such as Tums or calcium carbonate, 2 hours prior to or after you have taken Calquence. You may get sunburn if you are prone to calquence. Avoid tanning beds or sunlight. When you're outdoors, wear protective clothing and use sunblock (SPF 30 or higher).
Side effects of Calquence
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat,
Acalabrutinib can cause a brain infection that may lead to death or disability. If you experience problems with your speech, thinking, vision, or muscle movements, tell your doctor. These symptoms may get worse very quickly.
Calquence may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Unusual bleeding: bleeding gums or noses; abnormal vaginal bleeds; any bleeding that will not stop.
- Bleeding in your body; weakness, dizziness, and confusion; problems with speech; prolonged headache; bloody or tarry stool; pink or brown urine; coughing up blood; or vomit looking like coffee grounds.
- Heart rhythm disorder: feeling dizzy, chest pains, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, feeling lightheaded
- Low blood cell counts: a fever, chills, or tiredness; mouth sores or skin sores; easy bruising or bleeding; pale or cold skin, hands, or feet; feeling light-headed; or having difficulty breathing.
- Signs and symptoms of infection: fever, chills or fatigue, flu-like symptoms such as a cough, chest pains, difficulty breathing, mucus in the throat, etc.
If you experience certain side effects, your cancer treatment may be stopped or delayed.
Side effects of Calquence include:
- Bruising;
- Headache and fatigue
- Muscle or joint pain
- Low blood cell count
- Diarrhea;
- Cold symptoms like a stuffy nose and sneezing
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications at the same time. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, causing side effects or making them less effective.
Take Calquence 2 hours before you take any stomach acid-reducing medicine such as Tagamet or Pepcid.
Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking. Acalabrutinib can be affected by many drugs, including:
- A blood thinner (Warfarin Coumadin Jantoven);
- Antibiotic or antifungal medication (itraconazole; fluconazole; erythromycin; rifampin);
- Antiviral medicines to treat hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS.
- Heart medication (Diltiazem);
- A proton pump inhibits stomach acid medicines such as omeprazole (lansoprazole), rabeprazole (rabeprazole), Nexium, Prevacid (Prilosec), Protonix, and others.
This list is incomplete, and other drugs can interact with acalabrutinib. These include prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
