Ceritinib for Lung Cancer Treatment
Ceritinib is a drug for the treatment of lung cancer. It is the generic for the trade chemotherapy drug Zykadia. The drug is a prescription medicine to treat people with NSCLC which is caused by a defect in gene called ALK. It is also used to treat people who have taken medicine crizotinib but their NSCLC worsened or when they cannot tolerate taking crizotinib. The effectiveness of ceritinib is based on a study that measured response rate and duration of response among the patients. It works to provide longer progression-free survival as compared to chemotherapy.
Dosage
The drug is usually in the form of a capsule and the standard starting dose is 5 capsules. Doctors advise taking this medication on an empty stomach. You should take ceritinib exactly as prescribed. You should not crush, dissolve or open capsules. Ceritinib is increasingly being used for the treatment of lung cancer.
Side Effects
The common side effects of Ceritinib for non-small cell lung cancer include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Decrease in Hemoglobin
- Increase in glucose
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Stomach and intestinal problems
- Liver problems
If your side effects get worse, you should contact your health care provider. Tell your doctor right away when facing any serious symptoms.
Precautions
Before starting intake of ceritinib, you should tell your doctor about any other medications that you are taking. If you are pregnant or may be pregnant prior to starting this medication, you should inform your health care professional. You should not breast feed. Both men and women should not conceive a child while taking the drug.
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The information offered in this blog is meant for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. We strongly encourage you to talk with your doctor about specific medical conditions.