Possible side effects of Crizotinib (Xalkori)
Crizotinib is the first-line treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer with a ALK or ROS1 gene translocation in an advanced stage.
Like all medicines, it can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you get any side effects, including those not listed, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. Some side effects could be serious. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
Alterations in liver function
Tell your doctor immediately if you feel more tired than usual, if your skin and the white part of your eye are yellowing, if your urine is dark or brown (tea color), if nausea, vomiting or reduced appetite appears, if you have pain in your right abdomen, if you feel itchy or if you notice an increased tendency of bruising. Your doctor may perform blood tests to check liver function, and if the results are abnormal, a dose reduction or stopping the treatment may be decided.
Lung inflammation
Tell your doctor immediately if you have difficulty breathing, especially if it is associated with cough or fever.
Lightheadedness, fainting or chest discomfort.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms that could indicate changes in electrical activity (seen on an electrocardiogram) or changes in your heart rhythm. Your doctor may perform an electrocardiogram to check if any heart problems have occurred during treatment with crizotinib (Xalkori).
Very common side effects (may occur in more than 1 in 10 patients)
- Alterations in liver function tests;
- Visual disturbances such as light flashes, blurred vision or double vision, which often appear immediately after the start of treatment;
- Neuropathy (feeling of numbness or pinpricks in joints, extremities or muscles);
- Dizziness;
- Fatigue;
- Edema (excess fluid in body tissue that causes swelling in the hands and feet);
- Stomach disturbances, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and esophageal disorders;
- Reduced appetite;
- Alteration in the sense of taste;
- Skin rash.
Common side effects (may occur in 1-10 patients in every 100)
- Reduction in the number of red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells (which are important for fighting infections) and platelets (which are important for blood clotting);
- Indigestion;
- Reduced heart rate.
Uncommon side effects (may occur in 1-10 patients in every 1,000)
- Complicated renal cysts (closed pockets of fluid in the kidneys).
Crizotinib with food and drink
You can take Crizotinib with or without food. Avoid eating or drinking grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with XALKORI, as it may change the amount of the drug in the body.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. It is recommended that women do not become pregnant and men should refrain from generating children during treatment with XALKORI, as Crizotinib may harm the baby.
If there is a possibility that the person taking this medicine may become pregnant or become a father, he or she must use an effective contraceptive method for the duration of the treatment and for at least 90 days after completion of the therapy, as oral contraceptives may not be effective if taken concurrently with Crizotinib.
Do not breast-feed during treatment with Crizotinib. Crizotinib may harm the breastfed newborn. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
