Alecensa
Pronunciation: a-le-sen-sah
Generic name: alectinib
Drug class: Multikinase inhibitors
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 20, 2022.
What is Alecensa?
Alecensa is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Alecensa is used to treat a certain type of non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Alecensa is used only if your cancer has a specific genetic marker (an abnormal "ALK" gene). Your doctor will test you for this gene.
Warnings
Alecensa can cause serious or life-threatening side effects.
Call your doctor right away if you have: heart problems--severe dizziness, very slow heartbeats; lung problems--fever, chest pain, cough, trouble breathing; kidney problems--a change in your urine color, little or no urination, swelling in your lower legs; or liver problems--upper stomach pain, dark urine, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Alecensa if you are allergic to alectinib.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
-
lung or breathing problems other than lung cancer;
-
liver disease; or
-
slow heartbeats.
Alectinib can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or the father is taking this medicine.
-
If you are a woman, do not use Alecensa if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 1 week after your last dose.
-
If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose.
-
Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Alecensa.
It is not known whether alectinib passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using alectinib and for at least 1 week after your last dose.
How should I take Alecensa?
Before you start treatment with Alecensa, your doctor will perform a special test to make sure alectinib is the best treatment for your type of lung cancer.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Alecensa works best if you take it with food.
Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, dissolve, or open it.
If you vomit shortly after taking Alecensa, do not take another dose. Wait until your next scheduled dose time to take the medicine again.
You may need frequent medical tests to be sure this medicine is not causing harmful effects. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer:
600 mg orally twice a day
Duration of Therapy: Until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity
Comments: This drug should be taken with food.
Use: Treatment of patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed on or are intolerant to crizotinib.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What to avoid
Alectinib could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds during treatment and for at least 7 days after your last dose of Alecensa. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Alecensa side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Alecensa: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
-
a very slow heart rate;
-
a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
-
unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;
-
lung problems - sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or cough with mucus, feeling short of breath;
-
low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed, cold hands and feet;
-
kidney problems - a change in your urine color, little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles; or
-
liver problems - stomach pain (upper right side), loss of appetite, easy bruising or bleeding, feeling tired, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.
Common Alecensa side effects may include:
-
anemia;
-
swelling in your face, eyelids, hands, or lower legs;
-
tired feeling; or
-
muscle pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Alecensa?
Other drugs may interact with alectinib, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Popular FAQ
Alecensa is not an immunotherapy but a targeted drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with ALK+ gene mutations. It is classified as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and kills cancer cells by targeting a specific area in the cell that leads to the cancer. Immunotherapies, for example Opdivo or Keytruda, work by helping your own immune system to fight cancer.
Yes, if you are waiting on an answer from your insurance company on coverage for Alecensa, you may be able to receive a 30-day Alecensa free trial if you are eligible. The SureStart Program from Genentech and your doctor can help you determine if you qualify. In addition, The Genentech Patient Foundation may be able to provide free Alecensa if you don't have insurance or have financial concerns and qualify. For assistance talk to your healthcare provider or call 1-877-436-3683.
Alecensa is not considered a traditional form of chemotherapy, but is a targeted drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer with ALK+ mutations. ALK gene changes lead to the growth and spread of cancer cells. Alecensa (alectinib) is given as an oral capsule you can take at home. It might be given instead of chemo in people whose cancers have an ALK gene rearrangement.
Alecensa (alectinib) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that works specifically on a protein called anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK protein). Tyrosine kinases (TK) help to determine processes such as growth, differentiation, metabolism, and cell death, and are involved in signaling pathways – these are pathways that control and regulate the flow of information between cells and their outside environment. Research has linked abnormal TK activity or mutations to various cancers – one of these is non-small cell lung cancer. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations are present in approximately 5% of NSCLC cases, and by inhibiting this protein, Alecensa reduces the growth of ALK-positive metastatic NSCLC. Alecensa is only used in metastatic NSCLC that has been tested and confirmed to be ALK-positive. Continue reading
More FAQ
- How effective is it for ALK-positive NSCLC?
- How long do you take it for?
- How does it work?
- What is Alecensa used to treat?
More about Alecensa (alectinib)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (2)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- Patient tips
- During pregnancy
- FDA approval history
- Drug class: multikinase inhibitors
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Alecensa only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Copyright 1996-2024 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.01.
