What is Larotrectinib?
Larotrectinib can be used to treat tumours caused by an abnormal gene called "NTRK". Larotrectinib can be used when cancer spreads to other areas of the body or if surgery and other cancer treatments are not effective.Larotrectinib can be given when other cancer treatments have failed or stopped working.The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved larotrectinib on an "accelerated basis". Larotrectinib was shown to be effective in clinical trials, but more research is needed.Larotrectinib can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Larotrectinib
If you experience symptoms indicative of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of lips, face, tongue or throat - seek medical help immediately!
Larotrectinib may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- If you have severe stomach pain, nausea, diarrhoea, or both, please contact us.
- Confusion, memory problems, and severe dizziness;
- Speech or coordination problems;
- You may experience numbness or tingling in your feet or hands.
- Flu symptoms, sore throat, and cough.
- Sores or ulcers on the skin or in your mouth
- Feeling light-headed or unusually tired?
- Cold hands and feet, pale skin;
- Pain, warmth, swelling, or redness under the skin
- Liver problems: loss of appetite, pain in the upper right corner of the stomach, nausea. Vomiting, dark urine, and clay-coloured stools. Jaundice.
If you experience certain side effects, your cancer treatment may be permanently stopped or delayed.
Larotrectinib can cause the following side effects:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation;
- Cough;
- Dizziness;
- Tiredness;
- Abnormal liver function tests
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Contact the FDA by dialing 1-800-FDA-1088 in order to report adverse side effects.
Similar/related drugs
methotrexate, Keytruda, Hydroxyurea, Pembrolizumab, Hydrea, and Dabrafenib
Warnings
Please read all the instructions on the label or package of your medication. Informing your healthcare provider of all of your medical conditions, allergies and medicines taken is critical in getting effective healthcare treatment.
Before you take this drug
Inform your physician of any of the following issues:
- Liver disease
- Nervous disorders
Before starting the treatment, you may need to take a pregnancy test.The use of larotrectinib by either the mother or father can cause birth defects or harm to an unborn child. Continue to use birth control at least one week after you have taken your last dose.This medicine can affect women's fertility. It is still important to use birth control to avoid pregnancy, as larotrectinib may harm the unborn child.Do not breastfeed for one week following taking this medication.
How to take Larotrectinib?
Your doctor will test your tumour type to determine if larotrectinib would be the best treatment.Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow the directions. Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. You must take the medication exactly as prescribed.Take this medication with a glass of water.Take larotrectinib either with or without food.Do not open, crush, chew, or break the capsule.Measuring liquid medicine is important. Use the provided dosing device or a dose-measuring tool (not a spoon).Please read and follow all instructions for use that come with your medication. If you don't understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.Your liver function will be tested frequently.How long you will be treated with larotrectinib is determined by your doctor.Do not take another larotrectinib dose if you vomit soon after taking it. Do not take another dose of larotrectinib until you have taken your next scheduled dosage.Keep the capsules away from heat and moisture.Do not freeze the liquid medicines. After 90 days, throw away any liquid that has not been used.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for solid tumours:
Body surface area: minimum 1 m2
Take 100 mg twice daily until the disease progresses or toxicity is unacceptable.
Comments:
Select patients for this drug's treatment based on the presence or absence of a NTRK-gene fusion in tumour samples.
Use: To treat adult patients with solid tumours.
Have a fusion of the NTRK and neurotrophic receptor genes without any known acquired resistance mutation.
Are metastasizing or if surgical resection will likely result in severe morbidity?
Have no alternative treatment or have improved after treatment
The usual paediatric dose for solid tumours:
Age 28 and older
Body area of at least 1 m2: Orally take 100 mg twice daily until disease progression occurs or toxicities are unacceptable.
Body area less than one m2: orally, 100 mg/m2 twice daily until disease progression occurs or toxicities are unacceptable.
Comments:
Select patients for this drug's treatment based on the presence or absence of a NTRK-gene fusion in tumour samples.
Use: To treat paediatric patients with solid tumours that:
Have a neurotrophic tyrosine-kinase gene fusion (NTRK) without an acquired resistance mutation.
Are metastasizing or where surgical resection will likely result in severe morbidity?
Have no alternative treatment or have improved after treatment
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose when your next dose is less than six hours away. 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?
Larotrectinib can affect your reactions. Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you are sure of how they will affect you. You may be unable to react.Grapefruit can interact with larotrectinib, causing unwanted side effects. Avoid grapefruit products.St. John's wort is a dangerous herb. John's wort.
Interaction with other drug
At times it may not be safe to combine certain medications.Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, which can increase side effects and make them less effective.Larotrectinib may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Informing your physician of all medications you are currently taking and any changes or additions should be communicated immediately.
