crizotinib

Pronunciation: kriz OH ti nib

Brand: Xalkori

Xalkori

slide 1 of 1, Xalkori,

250 mg, capsule, pink, imprinted with Pfizer, CRZ 250

Image of Xalkori
slide 1 of 1

What is the most important information I should know about crizotinib?

Crizotinib can cause serious heart or liver problems. Call your doctor at once if you have: fast or pounding heartbeats, sudden dizziness, shortness of breath, tiredness, itching, upper stomach pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

What is crizotinib?

Crizotinib is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Crizotinib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking crizotinib?

You should not use crizotinib if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • liver or kidney disease;
  • a heart rhythm disorder;
  • an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);
  • long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); or
  • if you take any heart or blood pressure medicines.

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

Crizotinib can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or the father is using this medicine.

  • If you are a woman, do not use crizotinib if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 45 days 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 90 days after your last dose.
  • Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using crizotinib.

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

You should not breastfeed while you are taking crizotinib and for at least 45 days after your last dose.

How should I take crizotinib?

Before you start treatment, your doctor may perform tests to make sure crizotinib 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.

Crizotinib is usually taken twice per day, with or without food.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

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.

You should not stop taking crizotinib without your doctor's advice.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if your next dose is due in less than 6 hours. Do not take 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 should I avoid while taking crizotinib?

Grapefruit may interact with crizotinib and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

This medicine may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.

What are the possible side effects of crizotinib?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • increased sensitivity of your eyes to light, seeing flashes of light or "floaters";
  • blurred vision, double vision, or vision loss;
  • fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);
  • very slow heartbeats;
  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
  • sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or cough with mucus, feeling short of breath;
  • fever, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, cold or flu symptoms;
  • easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums); or
  • liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite;
  • diarrhea, constipation;
  • abnormal liver function tests;
  • swelling in your hands, feet, and eyes;
  • numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;
  • muscle weakness, trouble walking;
  • cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
  • dizziness, tiredness; or
  • vision problems.

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 crizotinib?

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.

Crizotinib can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Many drugs can affect crizotinib. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about crizotinib.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.