Uses
Ceritinib is used to treat a certain type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to other parts of the body. Ceritinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps slow or stop the spread of cancer cells.
Side Effects Of Ceritinib
Ceritinib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- constipation
- stomach pain
- heartburn
- difficulty swallowing
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- fatigue
- rash
- itching
- changes in vision
- muscle, bone, back arm, or leg pain
- headache
Some side effects of ceritinib can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:
- pain in the right upper part of the stomach
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- dark urine
- yellowing of the skin and eyes
- decreased appetite
- flu-like symptoms
- itching
- shortness of breath
- fever, chills, sore throat, ongoing cough, and congestion, or other signs of infection
- chest pain or discomfort
- changes in heartbeat
- heart palpitations
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- fainting
- ongoing pain that begins in the upper left or middle of the stomach but may spread to the back
- seizures
Ceritinib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before receiving ceritinib:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fosphenytoin, other hydantoin medications such as ethotoin (Peganone) or phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in ceritinib. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor if you are taking delavirdine (Rescriptor). Your doctor will probably not want you to receive ceritinib if you are taking this medication.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take with ceritinib. Be sure to mention any of the following: albendazole (Albenza); amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone); anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); antifungal medications such as fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox, Tolsura), miconazole (Oravig), posaconazole (Noxafil), and voriconazole (Vfend); certain antivirals such as efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir (in Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Invirase); bleomycin; capecitabine (Xeloda); carboplatin; chloramphenicol; chlordiazepoxide (Librium, in Librax); cholesterol medications such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, in Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), and simvastatin (Zocor, in Vytorin); cisplatin; clozapine (Fazaclo, Versacloz); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); diazepam (Valium); diazoxide (Proglycem); digoxin (Lanoxin); disopyramide (Norpace); disulfiram (Antabuse); doxorubicin (Doxil); doxycycline (Acticlate, Doryx, Monodox, Oracea, Vibramycin); fluorouracil; fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, in Symbyax, others); fluvoxamine (Luvox); folic acid; fosamprenavir (Lexiva); furosemide (Lasix); H2 antagonists such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), and ranitidine (Zantac); hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections); hormone replacement therapy (HRT); irinotecan (Camptosar); isoniazid (Laniazid, in Rifamate, in Rifater); medications for mental illness and nausea; other medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, others), ethosuximide (Zarontin), felbamate (Felbatol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), methsuximide (Celontin), oxcarbazepine (Trilepta, Oxtellar XR), phenobarbital, topiramate (Topamax), and valproic acid (Depakene); methadone (Dolophine, Methadose); methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall, Xatmep); methylphenidate (Daytrana, Concerta, Metadate, Ritalin); mexiletine; nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nimodiwashpine (Nymalize), nisoldipine (Sular); omeprazole (Prilosec); oral steroids such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone, and prednisone (Rayos); paclitaxel (Abraxane, Taxol); paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva); praziquantel (Biltricide); quetiapine (Seroquel); quinidine (in Nuedexta); reserpine; rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater); salicylate pain relievers such as aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate, choline salicylate, diflunisal, magnesium salicylate (Doan’s, others), and salsalate; sertraline (Zoloft); sulfa antibiotics; teniposide; theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Theochron); ticlopidine; tolbutamide; trazodone; verapamil (Calan, Verelan, in Tarka); vigabatrin (Sabril); and vitamin D. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects while taking ceritinib.
- tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s wort.
- tell your doctor if you have ever developed a liver problem while receiving ceritinib or phenytoin. Your doctor will probably not want you to receive ceritinib.
- tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol. Tell your doctor if you have had laboratory testing that reported you to have an inherited risk factor that makes it more likely that you could have a serious skin reaction to ceritinib. Also, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, porphyria (a condition in which certain natural substances build up in the body and may cause stomach pain, changes in thinking or behavior, or other symptoms), low levels of albumin in your blood, or kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor about effective birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. Ceritinib may harm the fetus.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving fosphenytoin injection.
- talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while you are taking this medication.
- talk to your doctor about the best way to care for your teeth, gums, and mouth during your treatment with fosphenytoin injection. It is very important that you care for your mouth properly to decrease the risk of gum damage caused by ceritinib.
Ceritinib Dosage
Ceritinib comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected intravenously (into a vein) or intramuscularly (into a muscle) by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. When ceritinib is injected intravenously, it is usually injected slowly. How often you receive ceritinib and the length of your treatment depends on how your body responds to the medication. Your doctor will tell you how often you will receive ceritinib.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to ceritinib.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are receiving ceritinib.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
