Xalkori

What is Xalkori?

Xalkori is a medication for cancer that inhibits the spread and growth of cancerous cells within the body.Xalkori is used to manage the non-small cell lung tumour, which is spreading to different areas of the body. It is caused by a deficiency in the gene known as ALK (anaplastic lymphomakinase) or a particular gene, ROS1.

Xalkori can be used for treating anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) in young adults as well as children 1 year old and over with cancers that are ALK-positive. It is prescribed when ALCL is back or an alternative treatment was unsuccessful, did not perform, or was not effective.Xalkori can also be utilised to treat ALK-positive myofibroblastic inflammatory tumours (IMT) in children and adults one year of age and lder. It is prescribed in cases where the IMT is not removed surgically, is reoccurring, or if the treatment was tested but didn't work or stopped functioning.Xalkori could be used for other purposes that aren't listed in this guide.It is unclear whether Xalkori can be considered safe and effective for older adults with ALCL or for children less than one year old who have ALCL as well as IMT.

Warnings

Xalkori can lead to serious liver or heart problems. Call your doctor immediately if you notice the following symptoms: rapid or pounding heartbeats. You may also experience sudden dizziness or fatigue, shortness of breath and itching, stomach discomfort, dark urine, a stool colour that is clay or acrid, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Do not use Xalkori if you are pregnant. It may harm your unborn baby. Make sure you use effective birth control when you're using this medication in the first three months following the end of your treatment, regardless of whether you're a woman or a man.Before you start taking Xalkori, consult your doctor whether you suffer from kidney or liver disease, heart rhythm disorders, an electrically conductive balance (such as low concentrations of magnesium or potassium present in the blood), or have a family or personal background or history of Long QT syndrome.

Before you take this drug

You shouldn't use Xalkori if you have an allergy to crizotinib.

To be sure Xalkori is appropriate for you, consult your physician if you suffer from:

• Kidney or liver disease;
• A heart rhythm disorder
• The imbalance of electrolytes (such as low levels of magnesium or potassium within your blood);
• Long qt syndrome (in either you or a member of your family);
• If you are taking any blood pressure or heart medications.

Crizotinib may cause harm to an unborn baby and cause a birth defect if the father or mother is taking the medication.

You might need to undergo a pregnancy test that is negative prior to commencing this treatment.

• If you're female, do not use Xalkori in the event that you are expecting. Make sure you use effective birth control methods to avoid pregnancy while using this medicine and for a minimum of 45 days following your last dose.
• If you're male, use effective birth control when your partner is likely to become pregnant. Use contraceptives for at least 90 days following the last dose.
• Inform your doctor immediately. If you become pregnant when both the mother and father are taking Xalkori.

The medicine can impact fertility (the ability to have children) for both males and females. It is, however, essential to use birth control in order to stop pregnancy, as crizotinib could affect the unborn baby.You shouldn't breastfeed when you take Xalkori or for a minimum of 45 days following your last dose.

How to take Xalkori?

Follow the exact dosage of Xalkori as directed by your physician. Follow all instructions on your prescription label, and go through all medication guides and instructions. The doctor might alter your dosage.

Before starting treatment, your doctor will conduct tests to ensure that Xalkori is the right treatment for your type of lung cancer.Xalkori is typically taken twice every day, either with food or not.Suck the capsule whole, and don't crush or chew on it, break it, or break it open.There is a possibility that you will require regular medical tests to ensure that the medication isn't causing adverse consequences. The treatment for cancer may be delayed depending on the results.Do not stop taking Xalkori unless you have the advice of your physician.Keep at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer:

250 mg, orally twice a day.
Use: To treat patients suffering from metastatic non-small lymphoma lung cancer (NSCLC) with tumours that are anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) or ROS1-positive, as identified through an FDA-approved test.
Comments:
Choose patients for treatment of NSCLC that has metastatic disease based on whether there are ALK or ROS1-positive tumour specimens.
Continue treatment until the progression of the disease or toxicity is unacceptable.

Usual Paediatric Dose for Lymphoma:

220 mg of tetrahydrocin-2 taken orally, twice daily
Use: To treat paediatric patients one year old and over and young adults who have chronic or refractory anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) that is ALK positive.

Usual Adult Dose for Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumour:

250 mg taken orally twice per day

Use: In the treatment of patients suffering from unresectable, persistent, or refractory myofibroblastic cancer (IMT) that is ALK-positive.

Usual Paediatric Dose for Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumour:

Amount of 280 mg daily, orally.

Use: To treat children one year old or older who have an unresectable, persistent, or refractory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) that is ALK positive.

What happens if I miss a dose?

You should take the medication as soon as you are able, but do not miss your missed dose in case the scheduled dose comes due within less than six hours. Don't do two doses at a time.

What happens if I overdose?

Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should be avoided?

Grapefruit can interact with crizotinib and lead to undesirable reactions. Do not use grapefruit-related products.

The medicine can cause blurred vision and could cause a decrease in your reaction. Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you are aware of the effects this medication will have on you.Crizotinib is a drug that can be absorbed into body fluids (urine and faeces, as well as vomit). Carer's gloves should be worn when cleaning a person's bodily fluids, cleaning trash that is contaminated, doing laundry, or changing diapers. Wash hands after taking off gloves. Clean up soiled linens and clothes separately from the rest of the laundry.

Side effects of Xalkori

Get immediate medical attention. If you are experiencing symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction to the Xalkori, such as hives, breathing difficulties, and swelling of your lips, face, and throat,

Contact your doctor immediately. If you suffer from:

• An increase in the eye's sensitivity to light, experiencing flashes of light, or "floaters";
• Vision blurred, double vision, or vision loss
• Rapid or pounding heartbeats; the chest fluttering with excitement and breathlessness; and an abrupt dizziness (like you're going to faint);
• Very slow heartbeats
• An feeling of lightheadedness similar to the feeling that you're about be sucked out.
• A sudden chest pain or discomfort with wheezing, a dry cough, or a cough that is mucusy and feeling out of breath;
• Swollen gums, fever sores in the mouth that hurt, discomfort when swallowing flu or cold symptoms;
• Bleeding or bruising (nosebleeds or bleeding gums);
• Liver issues liver problems nausea nausea, stomach pain itching, fatigue nausea, loss of appetite dark urine, stools that are clay-coloured, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Common side effects of Xalkori include:

• Sickness, nausea, vomiting, and reduced appetite;
• Diarrhoea, constipation;
• Atypical liver function tests
• Swelling in your feet, hands, or around your eyes;
• A numbness or tingling sensation on your hands or feet;
• Muscle weakness, trouble walking;
• Symptoms of a cold like nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and throat sores;
• Dizziness, tiredness,
• Issues with vision.

This isn't an exhaustive list of all the side effects. Other side effects could occur. Speak with your physician for medical advice about adverse effects. If you experience any side reactions to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drugs

There are times when it's not recommended to take certain medicines simultaneously. Certain medications can alter the blood levels and the other drugs that you take, which can create side effects or render the drugs less effective.

Crizotinib could cause serious heart issues. Your risk may be increased if you take other medications for asthma, infections, heart issues, high blood pressure, mental illness, depression, malaria, cancer, or HIV.Numerous drugs can be incompatible with crizotinib. This covers prescription as well as over-the counter medicines, vitamins and herbs. The interactions of all drugs are included in this list. Inform your doctor of your current medications as well as any other medications you take or stop taking.