Acalabrutinib
About Acalabrutinib
Acalabrutinib is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). It is also prescribed to treat adults with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have already received at least one other treatment. This targeted medication is designed to help control the growth and spread of cancer cells in the blood and lymph nodes.
To get the best results, you must take Acalabrutinib consistently every day, exactly as your doctor prescribes. This medication is typically taken on a daily basis to maintain a steady level of the medicine in your body. You can take this oral capsule with or without food. Incorporating gentle, regular physical activity and eating a balanced, nutrient-dense diet can help support your body's energy levels and immune system during treatment.
While taking Acalabrutinib, you may experience common, mild side effects such as headaches, mild diarrhoea, or feeling very tired. However, you must contact your healthcare team immediately if you develop serious symptoms, such as unusual bleeding, severe bruising, high fever, or an irregular heartbeat.
Before starting this medication, talk to your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders, heart rhythm problems, or active infections, or if you plan to have any upcoming surgeries. Do not take this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any of its ingredients.
This medicine can interact with blood thinners, certain stomach acid reducers, and other medications, which can either reduce its effectiveness or increase your risk of severe bleeding. It is also important to avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption, as these habits can put additional stress on your body and worsen side effects. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an elderly patient, you must consult your doctor to discuss specific safety measures before starting treatment.
Uses of Acalabrutinib
Medicinal Benefits
Acalabrutinib offers significant clinical benefits by directly targeting cancer cells while sparing many healthy cells, which helps manage the disease with more manageable side effects than traditional chemotherapy. Some of the key benefits patients experience include:
- Slowing Cancer Progression: By keeping the cancer from spreading, it helps patients maintain their daily activities and enjoy a better quality of life.
- Convenient Oral Therapy: Because it is taken as an oral capsule, it reduces the need for frequent, lengthy hospital visits for intravenous infusions.
- Symptom Control: Over time, successfully controlling the leukaemia or lymphoma can reduce symptoms like night sweats, extreme fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
Directions for Use
- Acalabrutinib can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- It is advised to take Acalabrutinib twice a day; however, follow your doctor’s advice regarding the dosage and duration.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Acalabrutinib
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Headaches
- Feeling very tired or fatigued
- Mild diarrhoea or soft stools
- Muscle or joint pain
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Unusual or heavy bleeding (such as blood in urine, black stools, or severe nosebleeds)
- Signs of a serious infection (fever, chills, body aches, cough, or painful urination)
- Fast, irregular, or fluttering heartbeat (heart palpitations)
- Severe skin rashes or swelling of the face, lips, or throat (allergic reaction)
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check your capsules: Inspect your capsule before taking it. Do not use any capsule that is broken, cracked, or leaking.
- Watch for bleeding: This medication can make you bleed or bruise more easily. Avoid activities that carry a high risk of physical injury or cuts.
- Inform all healthcare providers: Tell any dentist, surgeon, or specialist that you are taking Acalabrutinib, as you may need to temporarily stop taking it before undergoing surgeries or dental procedures.
- Monitor your heart rate: Keep track of your pulse. If you feel your heart racing, skipping a beat, or fluttering, report this to your doctor immediately.
- Do not share your medicine: This is a highly specialised cancer medication. Never share it with anyone else, even if they have similar symptoms.
Drug Interactions
- Stomach acid reducers (Proton Pump Inhibitors): Taking drugs like omeprazole can significantly reduce how much Acalabrutinib your body absorbs. Avoid taking PPIs while on this medication.
- Blood thinners (Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets): Medicines like warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel can increase your risk of severe bleeding when taken with Acalabrutinib.
- Strong CYP3A inhibitors or inducers: Drugs like ketoconazole, clarithromycin, or rifampin can dramatically alter the levels of Acalabrutinib in your blood, increasing side effects or reducing efficacy.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption while on treatment with Acalabrutinib.
Pregnancy
unsafeAcalabrutinib should not be used during pregnancy. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. You or your partner must use a reliable form of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking these medications.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAcalabrutinib should not be used in breastfeeding. Discuss with your doctor if you have any concerns.
Driving
cautionAcalabrutinib does not influence the ability to drive or use machines. However, go only if you are alert, as the Acalabrutinib may cause tiredness in some people.
Liver
cautionAvoid using Acalabrutinib in patients with severe hepatic impairment. The safety of Acalabrutinib has not been evaluated in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment. So, caution should be exercised while using Acalabrutinib in patients with liver impairment. If you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before taking the Acalabrutinib. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Acalabrutinib.
Kidney
cautionCaution should be exercised while using Acalabrutinib in patients with kidney impairment. If you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before taking the Acalabrutinib. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Acalabrutinib.
Children
cautionSafety and effectiveness in patients below the age of 18 years have not been established. Hence, use is not recommended.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid grapefruit and Seville oranges: These fruits can interact with how your body breaks down Acalabrutinib, potentially raising the levels of the medicine in your blood to unsafe levels.
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support your kidney function and help manage mild side effects like headaches or diarrhoea.
- Practice strict infection prevention: Because this medicine can lower your white blood cell count, wash your hands frequently, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and ensure all food is thoroughly washed and cooked.
- Protect your skin from the sun: Some patients taking this class of medicine may have a slightly higher risk of developing skin cancers. Wear protective clothing and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen when outdoors.
Special Advise
- Keep all of your doctor's and laboratory appointments.
- Pregnancy testing is recommended prior to starting treatment with Acalabrutinib.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cancer: Cancer is a genetic change in which our cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. There are two types of cancer: benign (localized) and metastatic (spread to the whole body). Types of cancer include blood, lung, breast, etc. Cancer growth can be prevented by chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell therapy.
Mantle Cell lymphoma (MCL): Mantle Cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive, rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that arises from cells originating in the “mantle zone.” The mantle zone is the outer ring of small lymphocytes surrounding the centre of a lymphatic nodule.
FAQs
Acalabrutinib is used to treat Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).
Acalabrutinib contains Acalabrutinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Tyrosine kinases are enzymes in the body that send signals to cells, directing them to grow and divide. Acalabrutinib blocks these signals to cancer cells. Cancer cells die when their signals are interrupted. This could help to delay the progression of the cancer.
You can take the missed dose if you forget to take your acalabrutinib, which is less than 3 hours after your usual time. Then, take the next dose at the regular time. Do not take your missed dose if more than 3 hours have passed. Wait and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missing one.
Acalabrutinib may cause nausea as a side effect. If you experience nausea, you can manage it by drinking plenty of clear liquids like water, fruit juices, or flat soda to prevent dehydration. Eat smaller, more frequent meals of bland foods that are easy to digest, like crackers, toast, or bananas. Avoid greasy, fried, sweet, or spicy foods. However, consult your doctor if nausea persists or worsens.
To relieve diarrhoea caused by Acalabrutinib, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and clear fluids. Follow a bland diet of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Avoid spicy, fatty, or high-fiber foods that can make diarrhoea worse. Talk to the doctor if you experience severe diarrhoea.
Avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking Acalabrutinib, as it may interact with the medication. Limit intake of alcohol as it may increase the risk of bleeding.
Consult the doctor if you notice changes in your skin like rash, light bruising, and small red or purple spots on your skin after taking Acalabrutinib.
Acalabrutinib may cause bleeding gums due to reduced platelets. Try gentle brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush. If the issue persists, consult your doctor for appropriate treatment.
After starting treatment with Acalabrutinib, you may feel tired or weak. To cope with this, prioritize rest and pace yourself. Take breaks, nap if needed, and engage in gentle exercises like yoga or short walks. Stay hydrated, eat small, frequent meals, and avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities.
The doctor may advise regular blood tests before and during the treatment with Acalabrutinib to check blood count. Additionally, liver and kidney function tests may also be recommended by the doctor.
The common side effects of Acalabrutinib include anaemia (lack of blood), neutropenia (low count of neutrophils), upper respiratory tract infection, thrombocytopenia (Low platelet level), headache, diarrhoea, and musculoskeletal pain. You should talk to your doctor if you persistently experience these side effects.
Yes, you can take Acalabrutinib with or without food. However, try to take it at the same time each day to maintain consistent levels of the medicine in your body. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience stomach upset.
You must inform your surgeon or dentist that you are taking Acalabrutinib. Because this medicine can increase the risk of bleeding, you may need to stop taking it for a few days before and after your procedure. Always talk to your doctor before stopping your medication.
Some heartburn medicines, specifically proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), should be avoided because they lower stomach acid and reduce the absorption of Acalabrutinib. H2-blockers or antacids may be used if timed carefully. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for a safe schedule.
Hair loss is not a commonly reported side effect of Acalabrutinib. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, this is a targeted therapy, meaning it is less likely to cause widespread hair loss. If you notice unusual hair thinning, talk to your doctor.
There is no direct, major interaction between Acalabrutinib and alcohol, but drinking alcohol can worsen side effects like headaches, dizziness, or dehydration. It is best to limit your alcohol intake and talk to your doctor about what is safe for you.
No, Acalabrutinib can cause harm to an unborn baby and should not be taken during pregnancy. You should also avoid breastfeeding while taking this medicine and for at least two weeks after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about highly effective birth control methods during your treatment.
In some patients, Acalabrutinib can cause or worsen high blood pressure. Your doctor will likely monitor your blood pressure regularly during your treatment. Talk to your doctor if you experience unusually high blood pressure readings.
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