 is a prescription medication used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. Xalkori belongs to a group of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors which work by blocking the action of a specific enzyme necessary for cancer cells to grow.This medication comes in capsule form and is taken twice daily, with or without food. Swallow Xalkori capsules whole.Common side effects of Xalkori include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. "Pin It")
Xalkori Overview
Xalkori (generic: crizotinib) is a prescription medication used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. Xalkori belongs to a group of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors which work by blocking the action of a specific enzyme necessary for cancer cells to grow.
This medication comes in capsule form and is taken twice daily, with or without food. Swallow Xalkori capsules whole.
Common side effects of Xalkori include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Uses of Xalkori
Xalkori is a prescription medicine used to treat people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is advanced or that has spread to other parts of the body and is caused by a defect in a gene called ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase).
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Side Effects of Xalkori
Xalkori may cause serious side effects:
Changes in your heartbeat (called QT interval prolongation), very fast or abnormal heartbeats. Your doctor may check your heart during treatment with Xalkori. Tell your doctor right away if you have abnormal heartbeats, feel dizzy, or faint. These may be symptoms related to QT interval prolongation.
The most common side effects of Xalkori include:
- nausea
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- swelling of your hands and feet
- constipation
- Vision problems - these problems usually happen within 2 weeks of starting Xalkori. Tell your doctor right away if you have any change in vision, such as:
- flashes of light
- blurred vision
- light hurting your eyes
- new or increased floaters
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of Xalkori. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Xalkori Interactions
Tell your doctor about the medicines you take, including prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Medicines for:
- depression (antidepressants)
- fungal infections (antifungals)
- bacterial infections (antibiotics)
- tuberculosis (TB)
- HIV-AIDS
- heart conditions
- seizures
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
Xalkori Precautions
Xalkori may cause liver problems. Tell your doctor right away if you have:
- yellowing of skin/eyes
- fatigue
- pain in upper-right area of the stomach
- nausea
- vomiting
- dark urine
Xalkori can cause lung inflammation (pneumonitis) that can be lifethreatening. Call your doctor right away if you have new or worsened breathing difficulties.
Xalkori can cause changes in your vision, dizziness, and tiredness. If you have these symptoms, use caution when driving a car, using machinery, or doing anything that needs you to be alert.
Xalkori can cause QT prolongation. This is a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm problem.
You should not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit during your treatment with Xalkori. It may make the amount of Xalkori in your blood increase to a harmful level.
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Some people experience dizziness, fatigue, or vision problems while taking Xalkori.
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
Xalkori Food Interactions
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Xalkori and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.
Inform MD
Before you take Xalkori, tell your doctor if you:
- have heart problems, including a condition called long QT syndrome
- have liver or kidney problems
- have any other medical conditions
- are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. Xalkori may harm your unborn baby.
- Women who are able to become pregnant and men who take Xalkori should use birth control during treatment and for 3 months after stopping Xalkori.
- Talk to your doctor about the birth control methods that may be right for you.
- if you or your partner becomes pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Xalkori passes into your breast milk.
Tell your doctor about the medicines you take, including prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Medicines for:
- depression (antidepressants)
- fungal infections (antifungals)
- bacterial infections (antibiotics)
- tuberculosis (TB)
- HIV-AIDS
- heart conditions
- seizures
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
Xalkori and Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. Xalkori may harm your unborn baby. Women who are able to become pregnant and men who take Xalkori should use birth control during treatment and for 3 months after stopping Xalkori.
- Talk to your doctor about the birth control methods that may be right for you.
- If you or your partner becomes pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
Xalkori and Lactation
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Xalkori passes into your breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.
Xalkori Usage
- Take Xalkori exactly as your doctor tells you.
- Swallow Xalkori capsules whole.
- Do not crush, dissolve, or open capsules.
- You may take Xalkori with or without food.
- Do not change your dose or stop Xalkori unless your doctor tells you.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose (within 6 hours), just take your next dose at your regular time.
- Do not take more than 1 dose of Xalkori at a time.
- Call your doctor right away if you take too much Xalkori.
- Your doctor will check your blood and heart while you are taking Xalkori.
Xalkori Dosage
Take Xalkori exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.
The recommended dose and schedule of Xalkori is 250 mg taken orally twice daily. Continue treatment as long as the patient is deriving clinical benefit from therapy. Xalkori may be taken with or without food. Swallow capsules whole. If a dose of Xalkori is missed, make up that dose unless the next dose is due within 6 hours
Xalkori Overdose
If you take too much Xalkori, call your local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.
Forms of Xalkori
Xalkori is available in 200 mg and 250 mg capsules.
Active ingredient: crizotinib.
Inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, sodium starch glycolate, and magnesium stearate.
Pink opaque capsule shell contains: gelatin, titanium dioxide, and red iron oxide.
White opaque capsule shell contains: gelatin and titanium dioxide.
Printing ink contains: shellac, propylene glycol, strong ammonia solution, potassium hydroxide, and black iron oxide.
Other Requirements
Store Xalkori at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
- Keep Xalkori in the original container, and keep the container closed tightly.
- Do not touch or handle crushed or broken Xalkori capsules. Xalkori is made with a capsule to prevent contact with the active ingredient.
Keep Xalkori and all medicines out of the reach of children.
