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What are the names of the BTK inhibitors?

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on June 17, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

What are the names of the approved drugs that inhibit Bruton's tyrosine kinase? What are they used to treat?

The Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors include Imbruvica (ibrutinib), Calquence (acalabrutinib), Brukinsa (zanubrutinib), and Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib).

Imbruvica (ibrutinib) Capsules, Tablets, and Oral Suspension

FDA Approved: November 13, 2013
Company: Janssen Biotech, Inc.

Treatment for adult patients with:

Treatment of adult and pediatric patients age 1 year and older with:

Calquence (acalabrutinib) Capsules and Tablets

FDA Approved: October 31, 2017
Company: AstraZeneca

Treatment for adult patients with:

Brukinsa (zanubrutinib) Capsules and Tablets

FDA Approved: November 14, 2019
Company: BeOne Medicines USA, Inc.

Treatment for adult patients with:

Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib) Tablets

FDA Approved: January 27, 2023
Company: Eli Lilly and Company

Treatment for adult patients with:

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How quickly does Imbruvica (ibrutinib) work?

In some people, very good partial clinical responses to Imbruvica may occur within three to six months. Imbruvica is usually given until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs, or in the case of graft vs host disease, recurrence of an underlying malignancy. The average duration of Imbruvica therapy in clinical trials has been around 41 months (range, 2–51 months). Continue reading

Acalabrutinib vs. ibrutinib: How do they compare?

A 2021 phase III study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that while both medications have similar efficacy, acalabrutinib was better tolerated with fewer side effects. Continue reading

Does ibrutinib cause hair loss?

Hair loss (alopecia) has not been noted as a side effect of ibrutinib (Imbuvica) in the product label. Textural hair changes (softening, straightening or curliness) and nail changes (brittle fingernails and toenails) were noted in a study evaluating ibrutinib use over the long term for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Continue reading

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