Alunbrig

(Alunbrig) Brigatinib is used to treat a certain type of lung cancer (non-small cell lung cancer). It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking brigatinib and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush or chew the tablets. The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, lab tests, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a lower dose for one week and may then increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take another dose at that time. Take your next dose on your usual dosing schedule. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Before taking brigatinib, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: high blood pressure, other lung/breathing problems, heart disease (such as slow heartbeat), disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis), diabetes, vision problems. This drug may make you dizzy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using brigatinib. Brigatinib may harm an unborn baby. Ask your doctor about reliable forms of non-hormonal birth control (such as condoms, diaphragm with spermicide). Women using this medication should use non-hormonal birth control during treatment and for 4 months after stopping treatment. Men using this medication should use birth control during treatment and for 3 months after stopping treatment. If you or your partner become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug and for 1 week after stopping this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Other medications can affect the removal of brigatinib from your body, which may affect how brigatinib works. Examples include rifamycins (such as rifabutin), St. John's wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others.

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, constipation, tiredness, dizziness, fever, headache, trouble sleeping, or joint pain may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: slow heartbeat, unusual tiredness, vision changes (such as blurred vision, double vision), increased thirst/urination, unusual muscle pain/tenderness/weakness, numbness/tingling of arms/legs, signs of pancreatitis (nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, stomach/abdominal pain). Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: symptoms of new or worsening lung problems (such as cough, shortness of breath, chest pain). A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.