Crizotinib
About Crizotinib
The prescription medication Crizotinib is a treatment designed to target specific genetic abnormalities in cancer cells. It is primarily used to treat adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. By focusing on specific cellular pathways, it helps manage the growth and spread of the disease.
This medication is typically taken twice a day, and it is crucial to take it consistently at the same times each day to keep a steady amount of the medicine in your body. You can take this oral capsule with or without food, depending on your preference. Maintaining a balanced diet and staying well-hydrated are key lifestyle adjustments that can support your body during this treatment.
While taking Crizotinib, you may experience common side effects such as mild vision changes, nausea, or swelling in your limbs. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects, such as signs of liver damage or sudden breathing difficulties. Regular medical check-ups are necessary to ensure the treatment is working safely.
Before starting this medicine, tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, kidney problems, or heart rhythm issues. Do not take this if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as the medication can harm a developing baby. Your healthcare team will help determine if this treatment is appropriate for you.
This medicine can interact with several common prescription drugs, alcohol, and grapefruit products, which may alter how the drug behaves in your system. If you are an older adult or have pre-existing health conditions, consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure this treatment is safe for your specific situation. Always keep a complete list of everything you take to share with your healthcare provider.
Uses of Crizotinib
Medicinal Benefits
The following are the benefits of taking Crizotinib as prescribed:
- Slows cancer progression: Targets and blocks the abnormal ALK or ROS1 proteins that drive cancer growth, helping slow or stop the spread of the disease.
- Helps relieve cancer-related symptoms: May reduce symptoms such as persistent cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath by controlling tumour growth.
- Supports quality of life: By keeping the cancer under better control, it can help patients maintain their daily activities and overall well-being during treatment.
- Offers convenient oral treatment: Comes as an oral capsule, allowing treatment to be taken at home without the need for regular intravenous infusions.
Directions for Use
- Crizotinib can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- Crizotinib is usually taken twice a day, or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow Crizotinib as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, split, or open it.
Storage
Side Effects of Crizotinib
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Vision changes, such as seeing flashes of light, floaters, or blurred vision
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
- Swelling in your hands, feet, ankles, or legs
- Fatigue or feeling unusually tired
- Decreased appetite
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of liver damage, including yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, severe stomach pain on the right side, or unusual tiredness
- Signs of lung inflammation, such as new or worsening shortness of breath, cough, or fever
- Changes in your heart rhythm, such as a very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, or feeling like your heart is skipping a beat
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Avoid driving if affected: Do not drive, use tools, or operate heavy machinery if you experience blurred vision, dizziness, or tiredness while taking this medication.
- Monitor your heart rate: Check your pulse regularly and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice your heart is beating much slower than normal.
- Use effective contraception: Use highly effective birth control during treatment and for the recommended period after your final dose, as Crizotinib can cause serious harm to an unborn baby.
- Keep all monitoring appointments: Attend all scheduled blood test appointments so your doctor can regularly monitor your liver function, blood cell counts, and overall response to treatment.
- Handle damaged capsules safely: If a capsule accidentally breaks or leaks, avoid touching the powder directly. If contact occurs, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water immediately.
Drug Interactions
The following medicines may interact with Crizotinib and affect its safety or effectiveness:
- Strong CYP3A inhibitors (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, or ritonavir): These medicines can increase Crizotinib levels in the body, raising the risk of side effects.
- Strong CYP3A inducers (such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, or St. John's wort): These medicines can reduce Crizotinib levels, making the treatment less effective.
- QT-prolonging medicines: Medicines that affect heart rhythm, such as certain antiarrhythmics, antibiotics, antidepressants, or antipsychotics, may increase the risk of serious heart rhythm problems when taken with Crizotinib.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsuming alcohol while using Crizotinib is not recommended since it may produce side effects or make you more sensitive to the effects of alcohol.
Pregnancy
cautionCrizotinib is not typically recommended during the pregnancy. Please consult the healthcare professional if you have any concerns regarding this.
Breast Feeding
cautionCrizotinib is not typically recommended if you are a nursing woman. Please consult the healthcare professional if you have any concerns regarding this.
Driving
cautionDo not drive, or you should take special care when driving and using machines as patients taking Crizotinib may experience visual disturbances, dizziness, and tiredness.
Liver
cautionCaution should be taken while using Crizotinib in patients with liver impairment. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionCaution should be taken while using Crizotinib in patients with kidney impairment. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
unsafeIt is not recommended for children as the safety and efficacy have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid grapefruit: Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine, as it can raise the level of the drug in your body to unsafe levels.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to support your kidney function and manage mild side effects like diarrhoea.
- Eat small, frequent meals: If you experience nausea, eating smaller portions more frequently throughout the day can help keep your stomach settled.
- Protect your eyes: Because vision changes and light sensitivity are common, consider wearing sunglasses when outdoors or in bright environments.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking can worsen lung symptoms and interfere with your overall cancer treatment plan.
Special Advise
If you have a fever or an infection, call your doctor. Your doctor may perform blood tests, and if the findings are abnormal, your doctor may opt to cut the dose of Crizotinib.
Inform your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any vision loss or changes in your vision, such as difficulties seeing out of one or both eyes.
During your therapy with Crizotinib, your doctor may recommend electrocardiograms to ensure that your heart is not causing any difficulties.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Non-small cell lung cancer is a condition in which malignant (cancer) cells develop in the lung tissues. Non-small cell lung cancer is classified into numerous categories. The most important risk factor for non-small cell lung cancer is smoking. There are various forms of non-small cell lung cancer. Different types of cancer cells are found in non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer cells of different types grow and spread in different ways. The several types of non-small cell lung cancer are called after the types of cells found in cancer and how the cells appear under a microscope.
FAQs
Crizotinib belongs to the group of medicines called anti-cancer medicines. It is used to treat lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults.
Crizotinib is the active ingredient in Crizotinib. It works by inhibiting an enzyme called tyrosine kinase and causing cancer cells to die. Crizotinib is only provided to individuals whose condition is caused by an ALK tyrosine kinase gene mutation.
In elderly patients, the risk of side effects is more if you take the Crizotinib. For the elderly, it might require dose adjustment, or your doctor might prescribe any other medication safe for the elderly.
No, avoid smoking before starting the treatment and while taking Crizotinib as smoking might alter the effectiveness of Crizotinib.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missing dose and return to your regular dosing plan if it is time for the next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missing dose.
Crizotinib may cause visual disturbances such as flashes of light, blurred vision, or double vision as a temporary side effect. If it continues or worsens your condition, seek medical advice immediately.
Crizotinib should be taken orally. Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush or break it.
The side effects of Crizotinib include dizziness, diarrhoea, visual disturbances or stomach upset, including vomiting, nausea, and tiredness. Consult the doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
Yes, you can take Crizotinib with or without food. The most important thing is to be consistent with how you take it each day. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you struggle with nausea when taking it on an empty stomach.
Vision changes, such as flashes of light or blurred vision, are common. Avoid driving or operating machinery if your vision is impaired, and report these changes to your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for further guidance.
No, Crizotinib can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. Both men and women should use reliable, highly effective methods of birth control during treatment and for a specified time after stopping the medication. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about safe family planning options.
It is best to avoid or severely limit alcohol because both alcohol and Crizotinib are processed by your liver. Combining them can increase the risk of liver damage and worsen side effects like dizziness. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before consuming alcohol.
Your doctor will monitor your blood to check your liver function and ensure your blood cell counts remain at a safe level. This helps catch potential side effects, like liver damage, before they become severe. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you want to understand your test results better.
No, you must swallow the capsules whole. Crushing or opening the capsules can cause the medicine to release too quickly into your body, which increases the risk of severe side effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have difficulty swallowing pills.
If you vomit after taking your capsule, do not take an extra dose to replace it. Simply wait and take your next scheduled dose at your regular time. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on how to manage nausea during your treatment.
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