Key facts about Alecensa
What is Alecensa?
Alecensa is the brand name for alectinib oral capsules.
What dosages is Alecensa available in?
Alecensa is available as a 150 mg oral capsule.
What is Alecensa used for?
Alecensa is a kinase inhibitor used to treat anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
How does Alecensa work?
Alecensa is a targeted therapy anticancer medication. Specifically, it’s a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks a protein called anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK).
- The ALK protein is made by the ALK gene. This gene is something that everyone is born with. It plays an important role in helping babies develop in the womb. In people with ALK-positive NSCLC, this gene doesn’t work like it should. It ends up making abnormal proteins and causing cancer
- By blocking the abnormal ALK protein, Alecensa can help slow or stop the spread of NSCLC cells that are ALK-positive
How do I take Alecensa?
The typical dose of Alecensa is 600 mg by mouth twice daily with food. Your dose of Alecensa might be lower if you have liver problems.
Is it safe for me to take Alecensa?
Alecensa is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you.
Alecensa Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Alecensa:
- Low red blood cell count
- High liver lab values, such as bilirubin, AST, and ALT
- Tiredness
- High creatinine levels
- High creatine phosphokinase
- Constipation
- Swelling in the hands and feet
- Low blood calcium levels
- Muscle aches and pain
- High blood sugar
- Cough
- Low sodium levels
- High or low potassium levels
- Rash
Alecensa Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Alecensa. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious lungs problems: trouble breathing, cough, or fever
- Dangerously slow heart beat: Tiredness, weakness, feeling dizzy or confused, feeling faint, trouble breathing, chest pain, getting tired easily during physical activity
- Serious liver problems: feeling very tired, nausea, vomiting, itchy skin, yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, stomach pain and swelling, swelling in the legs or ankles, dark-colored urine, pale-colored stool
- Kidney problems: feeling confused, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, change in urine color, change in amount of urine produced, or swelling in the legs and feet
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Alecensa
- There are no major drug interactions listed for Alecensa. However, always let your physician and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking
Who makes Alecensa?
Genentech, Inc.
Is Alecensa safe in pregnancy?
Alecensa can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with Alecensa or think you may be pregnant.
Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with Alecensa and for 1 week after the final dose of Alecensa. Males who have female partners that are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with Alecensa and for 3 months after the final dose of Alecensa.
