Pronunciation: pik' raye
Generic name: alpelisib
Dosage form: tablets (50mg, 150mg, and 200mg)
Drug class: PI3K inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 11, 2023.

What is Piqray?

Piqray (alpelisib) is used to treat breast cancer in men and postmenopausal women, that is HR-positive, HER2-negative, and is advanced or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). Piqray is a targeted therapy from a class of medicines called PI3K inhibitors (phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors) and is sometimes called a kinase inhibitor.

Piqray is only used for breast cancer if it has a specific PIK3CA mutation (an abnormal "PIK3CA" gene) which your doctor will test you for. Piqray is given in combination with fulvestrant (Faslodex).

Piqray became an FDA-approved medicine on May 24, 2019, as the first PI3K Inhibitor for specific breast cancers. Another brand, alpelisib called Vijoice became an FDA-approved medicine on April 5, 2022, to treat specific patients with PIK3CA-Related Overgrowth Spectrum (PROS).

What is PI3K and PIK3CA?

PI3K is an enzyme involved in cellular functions such as cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, motility, and survival. PI3K is the short name for Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase.

PIK3CA is a small part of PI3K. PIK3CA is the short name for Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha.

When there is a mutation in the PIK3CA gene, it can allow cancer cells to grow and survive, which results in tumors.

How does Piqray work?

Piqray works by blocking PIK3CA, so is used to treat breast cancer that has a specific genetic mutation in the PIK3CA gene. In breast cancer, the mutation in the PIK3CA gene results in the generation of tumors, Piqray works to block PI3K, which reduces breast cancer growth. The combination of Piqray and fulvestrant has an increased anti-tumor activity compared to either treatment alone.

Related/similar drugs

Enhertu, Kisqali, Ibrance, Trodelvy, tamoxifen, Arimidex, Xeloda

What is Piqray used to treat?

Piqray is used to treat breast cancer in men and postmenopausal women if their cancer is:

• PIK3CA-mutated as detected by an FDA-approved test,
• advanced or metastatic breast cancer,
• cancer has progressed on or after an endocrine-based regimen,
• hormone receptor (HR)-positive,
• human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, and 
• treatment is used in combination with a hormone therapy fulvestrant (Faslodex), used for certain types of breast cancer treatment.

Piqray side effects

Common Piqray side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting;
• loss of appetite, weight loss;
• feeling weak or tired;
• mouth sores;
• rash;
• hair loss; or
• abnormal blood tests.

Serious side effects:

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, warmth or tingling, difficulty breathing, fast heartbeats, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Piqray may cause other serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• chest pain, cough, feeling short of breath;
• severe or ongoing diarrhea;
• blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;
• pale skin, unusual tiredness, cold hands and feet;
• little or no urination; or
• high blood sugar with symptoms of increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, confusion, hunger, weight loss;

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

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.

Warnings

Do not take Piqray if you have had a severe allergic reaction to alpelisib or are allergic to any of the ingredients in this medicine.

Call your doctor right away if you have severe diarrhea.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use alpelisib if you are allergic to it or any of the inactive ingredients.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• diabetes; or
• a severe skin rash (skin pain, redness, peeling, burning eyes, blistering of your lips or mouth).

Pregnancy

Piqray can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman, you may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Tell your doctor if you think you may be pregnant.

Male patients with female partners of reproductive potential should be advised to use condoms and effective contraception during treatment with Alpelisib and for 1 week after the last dose.

Piqray and fulvestrant both can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or the father is using these medicines.

• If you are a woman, do not use alpelisib 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 condoms and effective birth control if your sex partner is pregnant or is able to get pregnant. Keep using condoms and birth control for at least 1 week after your last dose.
• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Piqray.
• Women who also take fulvestrant may need to prevent pregnancy for at least 1 year after treatment ends. Ask your doctor about how long to keep using birth control.

Piqray and fulvestrant may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because these medicines can harm an unborn baby.

Breastfeeding

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 1 week after your last dose. If you are also using fulvestrant, you may not be able to breastfeed for 1 year after your last dose of fulvestrant. Ask your doctor.

How should I take Piqray?

Take Piqray exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Take Piqray tablets with food at the same time each day.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it. Do not use a cracked or broken tablet.

If you vomit shortly after taking Piqray, do not take another dose. Wait until your next scheduled dose time to take the medicine again.

Piqray can cause severe diarrhea, which can be life-threatening if it leads to dehydration or kidney damage.

If you have diarrhea while taking Piqray: start taking anti-diarrhea medicine such as loperamide (Imodium) to treat diarrhea quickly. Drink extra fluids and call your doctor.

Fulvestrant injection is used in combination with Piqray, fulvestrant is usually given once every 2 weeks at first, and then once a month. A healthcare professional will give you this injection.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other blood tests at your doctor's office.

Alpelisib and fulvestrant are usually given until your body no longer responds to the treatment, or until you have a serious side effect. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Piqray Dose for Breast Cancer:

Usual dose: 300 mg (two 150 mg tablets) orally once a day with food at approximately the same time each day.

Comments: Treatment is usually until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. When fulvestrant is prescribed with Piqray the recommended dose of fulvestrant is 500 mg orally on Days 1, 15, and 29, and once monthly thereafter. The alpelisib dose may be changed due to adverse reactions.

Use: In combination with fulvestrant for the treatment of postmenopausal women, and men, with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, PIK3CA mutated, advanced or metastatic breast cancer as detected by an FDA-approved test following progression on or after an endocrine-based regimen.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine (with food) as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if you are more than 9 hours late for the dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your fulvestrant injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect Piqray?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Other drugs may interact with alpelisib, 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.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).

Ingredients

Active ingredient: alpelisib

Inactive ingredients: hypromellose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium starch glycolate. The film-coating contains hypromellose, iron oxide black, iron oxide red, macrogol/polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Company

Piqray Distributed by: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey 07936.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer