Generic
Crizotinib
(krih-ZOH-tih-nib)
Brand
Xalkori®
(ZAL-kor-ee)
Additional resources
Crizotinib (Xalkori®) is used to treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has a mutation of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) or ROS-1 genes.
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Page 1 CRIZOTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Name of your medication Generic name – crizotinib krih ZOH tih nib Brand Name – Xalkori® ZAL kor ee Approved uses Crizotinib is used to treat metastatic non small cell lung cancer NSCLC that has a mutation of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase ALK or ROS 1 genes. Dose and schedule Taking crizotinib as instructed is important to allow your treatment to be as effective as possible, so here are some key points to remember. Your dose may vary, but the usual dose of crizotinib is 250 milligrams 250 mg to be taken by mouth at a scheduled time two times a day. Crizotinib can be taken with or without food, but at the same times each day. Crizotinib should be taken whole and not crushed, cut, or dissolved. If you are unable to swallow crizotinib, talk to your care provider or pharmacist for possible options. If you miss a dose of crizotinib: Only take the missed dose if it has been less than six hours since you were supposed to take it. Then take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not take the missed dose if it has been more than six hours since you should have taken it. Simply take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not take two doses at one time. Be sure to write down if you miss a dose and let your care provider know about any missed doses. Storage and handling Handle crizotinib with care. Just like when chemotherapy is given into the vein, this drug can be toxic, and exposure of the drug to others should be limited. Store crizotinib at room temperature 68°F–77°F in a dry location away from light. Keep crizotinib out of reach of children and pets. Leave crizotinib in the provided packaging until it is ready to be taken. Whenever possible, give crizotinib to yourself and follow the steps below. If a family member, friend, or caregiver needs to give crizotinib to you, they also need to follow these steps: 1. Wash hands with soap and water. 2. Put on gloves to avoid touching the medication. Gloves are not necessary if you give the drug to yourself. 3. Gently transfer the crizotinib from its package to a small medicine or other disposable cup. 4. Administer the medicine immediately by mouth with water. CRIZOTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 2 5. Remove gloves and do not use them for anything else. 6. Throw gloves and medicine cup in household trash. 7. Wash hands with soap and water. If a daily pill box or pill reminder is used, a separate one should be used for crizotinib. Do not mix other medications into the box with crizotinib. The person filling the box or reminder should wear gloves gloves are not necessary if you are filling the box or reminder . When empty, the box or reminder should be washed with soap and water before refilling. Be sure to wash hands with soap and water after the task is complete, whether or not gloves are worn. If you have any unused crizotinib, do not throw it in the trash and do not flush it down the sink or toilet. Talk to your care provider or pharmacist about proper disposal of crizotinib. If you are traveling, put your crizotinib in a sealed plastic bag. Ask your pharmacist if any additional travel precautions are needed. Handling body fluids and waste Since crizotinib remains in your body for several days after it is taken, some of the drug may be present in urine, stool, sweat, or vomit. Once you have started to take crizotinib, it is important to follow the instructions below every day for as long as your treatment lasts. This is to keep yourself, loved ones, and the environment as safe as possible. Pregnant women should avoid touching anything that may be soiled with body fluids from the patient. Toilet and septic systems You may use the same toilet, septic tank, and/or sewer that you usually use. If you have a low flow toilet, close the lid and flush twice to ensure all waste has been discarded. If the toilet or toilet seat becomes soiled with urine, stool, or vomit, clean the surfaces before other people use the toilet. Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet. If you need a bedpan, be sure your caregiver knows to wear gloves to assist with cleanup and to wash the bedpan with soap and water every day. If you do not have good control of bladder or bowels, use a disposable pad with a plastic back, a diaper, or a sheet to absorb body waste. Wash any skin that has been exposed to body waste or crizotinib with soap and water. Linens or clothing that are soiled with body fluids or body waste should be washed separately from other linens and clothing. If you do not have a washer, place the soiled linens in a plastic bag until they can be washed. Wash hands with soap and water after touching linens or clothing that may be soiled with body fluids. Drug and food interactions Crizotinib has many drug interactions, please inform your care providers of all prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Grapefruit or grapefruit juice may interact with crizotinib; avoid eating or drinking these during treatment with crizotinib. Talk with your care provider or pharmacist before taking new medications or supplements, or receiving any vaccines. CRIZOTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 3 Side Effects of Crizotinib The common side effects that have been known to happen in more than 30% of patients taking crizotinib are listed in the left side of this table. You MAY NOT experience these side effects. Options to help manage any side effects that do occur are included on the right side of this table. These should be discussed with your care provider. If you experience any side effect you cannot manage or that is not listed here, contact your care provider. Possible Side Effect Management Changes in kidney function Your kidney renal function will be checked periodically by a simple blood test. Contact your care provider if you notice any of the following: Decreased amount of urination Unusual swelling in your legs and feet Changes in liver function Your liver function will be checked periodically by a simple blood test. Contact your care provider if you notice any of the following: Yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes Dark or brown urine Bleeding or bruising Eye changes This medication may cause blurred vision, dry eyes, or eye pain. Report changes in eyesight to your care provider. Decreased white blood cells WBCs and increased risk for infection Your WBCs should be monitored by a simple blood test. When your WBCs are low, you are at a greater risk of having an infection. Take the following precautions to protect yourself from infection. Wash your hands often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. Avoid crowds and people with fevers, flu, or other infection. Bathe regularly to keep good personal hygiene. Contact your care provider if you experience any signs or symptoms of an infection such as: Fever temperature more than 100.4°F or 38°C Chills Sore throat Burning with urination Unusual tiredness A sore that becomes red, is draining, or does not heal Check with your care provider before taking any medicine for a fever or chills. Continued on the next page CRIZOTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 4 Possible Side Effect Management Diarrhea loose and/ or urgent bowel movements Monitor how many bowel movements you have each day. Drink 8–10 glasses of water or fluid each day unless your care provider has instructed you to limit your fluid intake. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day rather than a few large meals. Eat bland, low fiber foods, such as bananas, applesauce, potatoes, chicken, rice, and toast. Avoid high fiber foods, such as raw vegetables, raw fruits, and whole grains. Avoid foods that cause gas, such as broccoli and beans. Avoid lactose containing foods, such as yogurt and milk. Avoid spicy, fried, and greasy foods. Contact your provider if any of the following occur: The number of bowel movements you have in a day increases by four or more. You feel dizzy or lightheaded. Your care provider may recommend an over the counter medication called loperamide Imodium® to help with your diarrhea, but talk to your care provider before starting this medication. Nausea or vomiting Eat and drink slowly. Drink 8–10 glasses of water or fluid each day unless your care provider has instructed you to limit your fluid intake. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day rather than a few large meals. Eat bland foods; avoid spicy, fried, and greasy foods. Avoid vigorous exercise immediately after eating. Don’t lie down immediately after eating. Avoid strong odors. Let your provider know if you experience nausea or vomiting. Your provider may prescribe medication that can help. Fluid retention or swelling Do not stand for long periods of time. Keep your legs elevated when sitting or lying down. Avoid eating salty foods, which can increase swelling. Avoid wearing tight fitting clothing and shoes. Weigh yourself daily. Contact your care provider if you notice the following: Swelling in the hands, feet, or legs Shortness of breath Weight gain of 5 pounds or more in a week Continued on the next page CRIZOTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 5 Possible Side Effect Management Constipation Monitor how many bowel movements you have each day. Drink 8–10 glasses of water or fluid each day unless your care provider has instructed you to limit your fluid intake. Stay active and exercise, if possible. Eat foods high in fiber like raw fruits and vegetables. Contact your care provider if you have not had a bowel movement in three or more days. Your care provider may recommend over the counter medications to help with your constipation. A daily stool softener such as docusate Colace® and/or laxative such as senna Senakot® may be helpful. If these do not help within 48 hours, tell your provider. Changes in electrolytes and other laboratory values Low phosphorus levels Changes in some laboratory values may occur and will be monitored by a simple blood test. You may not feel any symptoms if the changes are mild, and they usually are not a sign of a serious problem. More severe changes may occur, which can be a sign of a serious problem. Notify your care provider if you have any of the following: Shortness of breath Chest discomfort Weakness or fatigue New aches and pains Headaches Dizziness Swelling of your legs or feet Red or brown colored urine Respiratory tract infection Wash your hands often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. Avoid people with fevers, flu, or other infections. Maintain good personal hygiene. Report symptoms of a respiratory infection like a cough, sneezing, runny nose, fever, and scratchy or sore throat to your provider. Decreased appetite or weight loss Talk to your care provider if you notice a decrease in weight while taking this medication. When you do not feel like eating, try the following: Eat small, frequent meals instead of three large meals each day. Keep snacks nearby so you can eat when you feel hungry. Drink liquid nutritional supplements. Drink 8–10 glasses of water or fluid each day, especially if you are not eating, unless your care provider has instructed you to limit your fluid intake. CRIZOTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 6 If you experience ANY uncontrolled side effect, call your physician or healthcare center immediately: INSTITUTIONAL CONTACT INFO Pregnancy, sexual activity, and contraception Women should not become pregnant and men should not get a partner pregnant while taking crizotinib. Women of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during therapy and for a minimum of 45 days after the last dose of crizotinib. Men with female partners of reproductive protential should use effective contraception during therapy and for a mininum of three months after the last dose of crizotinib. Do not breastfeed while taking crizotinib and for 45 days after the last dose of crizotinib. Please inform your care provider if you become pregnant. It is safe to hug and kiss. Special precautions may be needed for sexual activity while on oral chemotherapy, and you are encouraged to ask your care provider. Obtaining medication Talk with your care provider about the process for obtaining your crizotinib. PHARMACY OR SPECIALTY PHARMACY CONTACT INFO Additional resources Product website: www.xalkori.com Product prescribing information: http://labeling.pfizer.com/showlabeling.aspx?id=676 Product resources: www.xalkori.com/resources Updated – November 6, 2017 CRIZOTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 7 Additional instructions Important notice: The Association of Community Cancer Centers ACCC , Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association HOPA , National Community Oncology Dispensing Association, Inc. NCODA , and Oncology Nursing Society ONS have collaborated in gathering information for and developing this patient education guide. This guide represents a brief summary of the medication derived from information provided by the drug manufacturer and other resources. This guide does not cover all existing information related to the possible uses, directions, doses, precautions, warnings, interactions, adverse effects, or risks associated with this medication and should not substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Provision of this guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of this medication by ACCC, HOPA, NCODA, or ONS, who assume no liability for and cannot ensure the accuracy of the information presented. The collaborators are not making any representations with respect to the medications whatsoever, and any and all decisions, with respect to such medications, are at the sole risk of the individual consuming the medication. All decisions related to taking this medication should be made with the guidance and under the direction of a qualified healthcare professional. Permission: Oral Chemotherapy Education OCE sheets are provided as a free educational resource for patients with cancer in need of concise, easy to understand information about oral cancer drugs. Healthcare providers are permitted to copy and distribute the sheets to patients as well as direct patients to the OCE website for information. However, commercial reproduction or reuse, as well as rebranding or reposting of any type, are strictly prohibited without permission of the copyright holder. Please email permission requests and licensing inquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Copyright © 2017 by Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association. All rights reserved.