Lorlatinib
About Lorlatinib
Lorlatinib is an oral prescription medicine used to treat adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is ALK-positive. ALK-positive means that testing has found an abnormal change in the ALK gene in the cancer cells. This change produces signals that cause the cancer cells to grow and spread. Lorlatinib targets these signals to help slow or stop cancer growth.
Take Lorlatinib once daily, at the same time each day, exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole and do not take tablets that are broken, cracked, or damaged. Following a balanced diet and attending regular blood tests can help your doctor monitor cholesterol and other changes during treatment.
Common side effects include swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet, numbness or tingling, tiredness, weight gain, and increased cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Lorlatinib may also affect mood, memory, thinking, speech, or sleep. Consult your doctor right away if you or someone close to you notices new or worsening changes in your mood, behaviour, memory, or thinking.
Before starting Lorlatinib, tell your doctor if you have heart rhythm problems, lung disease, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, or a history of mood, memory, or other mental health concerns. Also provide a complete list of all medicines and herbal supplements you use. Certain medicines, including strong CYP3A inducers used for tuberculosis or seizures, can greatly reduce the amount of lorlatinib in your body and make the treatment less effective.
Lorlatinib may harm an unborn baby and can make hormonal contraceptives less effective. If you can become pregnant, use effective non-hormonal contraception during treatment and for at least 6 months after your last dose. Men with partners who can become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
Uses of Lorlatinib
Medicinal Benefits
When used as part of your cancer treatment plan, Lorlatinib may provide the following benefits:
- Helps control cancer growth: Blocks abnormal ALK signals that cause cancer cells to grow and multiply.
- May shrink or slow the growth of tumours: Can help reduce the size of some tumours or keep the cancer from worsening for a period of time.
- Helps treat cancer that has spread to the brain: Lorlatinib can reach the brain, which may help control ALK-positive cancer cells that have spread there.
- Provides oral treatment: The tablet can be taken at home as prescribed, reducing the need for intravenous administration.
Directions for Use
- Lorlatinib can be taken with or without food. However, avoid taking it with grapefruit or grapefruit juice, as they may affect the amount of Lorlatinib in your body.
- It is usually taken once daily at the same time each day or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow Lorlatinib as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Lorlatinib
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or legs
- Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in the hands or feet
- Increased cholesterol or triglyceride levels
- Weight gain or increased appetite
- Tiredness or weakness
- Muscle, joint, or back pain
- Changes in mood, memory, thinking, speech, or sleep
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- New or worsening mood or behaviour changes, severe anxiety or depression, confusion, memory problems, hallucinations, or thoughts of self-harm
- New or worsening cough, fever, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, which may be signs of lung inflammation
- A very slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat, especially with dizziness, fainting, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath
- Severe confusion, difficulty speaking, major changes in thinking or behaviour, seizures, or loss of consciousness
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check each tablet before use: Do not take a tablet that is broken, cracked, chipped, or damaged.
- Use effective contraception: Lorlatinib may harm an unborn baby and can make hormonal contraceptives less effective. Women who can become pregnant should use effective non-hormonal contraception during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose. Men with partners who can become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose.
- Watch for changes in mood or thinking: Tell your doctor if you or someone close to you notices changes in your mood, behaviour, memory, thinking, speech, or sleep.
- Check your pulse as advised: Lorlatinib may slow your heart rate. Consult your doctor right away if you experience dizziness, fainting, chest discomfort, or an unusually slow heartbeat.
- Share your complete medicine list: Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take. Some medicines may affect how well Lorlatinib works or increase the risk of side effects.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may affect how well Lorlatinib works or increase the risk of side effects. Tell your doctor about all medicines and supplements you take.
- Strong CYP3A inducers: Medicines such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, and phenytoin can greatly reduce the amount of Lorlatinib in your body, making the treatment less effective. These medicines should not be used with Lorlatinib.
- Hormonal contraceptives: Lorlatinib may make birth control pills, patches, vaginal rings, implants, and other hormonal contraceptives less effective. Use an effective non-hormonal method of contraception as advised by your doctor.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not known if alcohol interacts with Lorlatinib. However, as a precautionary measure, you are recommended not to consume alcohol with the Lorlatinib to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeLorlatinib is listed as pregnancy category D. Because Lorlatinib can cause harm to the fetus, women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while receiving treatment with Lorlatinib.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDo not breastfeed for seven days after the last dose while taking this medicine. This is because it is unknown if the Lorlatinib can pass into breast milk and could harm your baby.
Driving
cautionLorlatinib moderately influences the ability to drive and use machines. Caution should be exercised when driving or operating machines, as patients may experience CNS effects.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Lorlatinib if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending on your current liver conditions.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Lorlatinib if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending on your current kidney conditions.
Children
unsafeLorlatinib is only indicated in adults, and it is not to be given to children and adolescents.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a heart-healthy diet: Because this medicine frequently raises cholesterol and triglyceride levels, focus on eating foods low in saturated fats and high in fibre.
- Avoid grapefruit: Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice, as these can increase the level of the medicine in your blood.
- Keep a mood and memory journal: Note any subtle changes in your sleep, memory, or emotions, and have a family member or friend help monitor these changes.
- Stay active safely: Gentle daily activities, like walking, can help reduce swelling in your limbs and combat treatment-related fatigue, but always consult your doctor before starting any exercise routine.
Special Advise
You will have blood tests before you start treatment and during your treatment. These tests check the level of cholesterol, triglycerides and the enzymes amylase or lipase in your blood before you start treatment with Lorlatinib and regularly during treatment. You will have blood tests before you start treatment and during your treatment. These tests check the level of cholesterol, triglycerides and the enzymes amylase or lipase in your blood before you start treatment with Lorlatinib and regularly during treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lung tissues. There are several types of non-small cell lung cancer. Smoking is the major risk factor for non-small cell lung cancer.
FAQs
Lorlatinib is used to treat advanced stages of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Lorlatinib contains the active substance Lorlatinib, which inhibits a type of enzyme called tyrosine kinase and triggers the death of cancer cells in patients with alterations in genes for ALK. Lorlatinib is only given to patients whose disease is due to an alteration in the gene for ALK tyrosine kinase.
Lorlatinib belongs to the kinase inhibitor class of drugs. Lorlatinib is a drug used to treat a kind of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to other places of the body in adults. It works by preventing the malfunctioning protein from causing cancer cells to multiply.
Lorlatinib should be stopped when a person faces a serious side effect that affects life quality. Otherwise, it would be best to keep taking Lorlatinib until your doctor asks you to stop it.
Avoid smoking before starting the treatment while taking Lorlatinib as smoking might alter the effectiveness of Lorlatinib.
In elderly patients, the risk of side effects is greater. For the elderly, dose adjustment might be required, or your doctor might prescribe any other medication safe for the elderly.
You should complete the full course of Lorlatinib as your doctor prescribes. After completing the full course of Lorlatinib will work. It would help if you took Lorlatinib at the right dose, right times and for the right number of days.
Detecting lung cancer in its early stages, when it is most treatable, is critical to survival. Early tumours have a cure rate of 85-90 per cent, but this depends on other factors.
Yes, you can take Lorlatinib with or without food, but you should try to take it at the same time every day to keep a steady level of the medicine in your body. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have trouble maintaining a regular schedule.
If you vomit after taking Lorlatinib, 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 if you frequently feel sick after taking your medicine.
Yes, increased appetite and weight gain are recognised side effects of Lorlatinib. It is important to monitor your weight regularly and discuss any sudden or excessive weight changes with your doctor or pharmacist.
No, you should avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking Lorlatinib. Grapefruit can stop your body from breaking down the medicine properly, which can dangerously increase the risk of severe side effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about other foods to avoid.
Yes, Lorlatinib can affect your central nervous system, leading to changes in mood, memory, sleep, and speech. If you or your family members notice any changes in your behaviour, thinking, or emotions, report them to your doctor right away.
No, Lorlatinib can make hormonal contraceptives, such as birth control pills, patches, vaginal rings, or implants, much less effective. You should use a highly effective non-hormonal method of birth control (like condoms) during treatment. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for guidance on safe birth control options.
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