Alecensaro (Alectinib) belongs to a group of cancer fighting medications called protein kinase inhibitors. It works by recognizing certain types of cancer cells and blocking the action of chemicals that cause them to divide and grow. This may slow down or stop cancers from growing and dividing.

Alecensaro (Alectinib) may be used to treat non-small cell Lung Cancer that is locally advanced and cannot be surgically removed or has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized) and is anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive.

Alecensaro (Alectinib) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Alecensaro (Alectinib) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Alecensaro (Alectinib) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Alecensaro (Alectinib) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Alecensaro (Alectinib), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Alecensaro (Alectinib) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Alecensaro (Alectinib) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Alecensaro (Alectinib) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The usual adult dose of Alecensaro (Alectinib) is 600 mg (four 150 mg capsules) taken by mouth, twice a day, with food. This provides a daily total of 1,200 mg of Alecensaro (Alectinib).

Swallow the capsules whole with some liquid. Do not open or dissolve the capsules to take them.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Alecensaro (Alectinib) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

If you vomit after taking a dose, take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not replace the vomited dose.

Store Alecensaro (Alectinib) at room temperature in its original package, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Alecensaro (Alectinib). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Alecensaro (Alectinib) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Alecensaro (Alectinib). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• dry skin
• fatigue
• fluid buildup in arms, legs, ankles
• hair loss
• headache
• increased sensitivity to the sun
• inflammation or soreness in the mouth
• itching
• metallic taste in the mouth
• muscle and joint aches or pain
• nausea
• rash
• vomiting
• weight gain

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• numbness or tingling in hands and feet
• signs of Anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
• signs of kidney problems (e.g., change in the amount or colour of urine, increased urination at night, blood in the urine, swelling in the feet or legs)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• signs of muscle damage (e.g., unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, or brown or discoloured urine)
• slowed heart beat (e.g., dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting)
• vision changes (e.g., blurred vision, loss of sight, black dots or white spots in vision, seeing double)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of lung problems (e.g., worsening or new difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, cough with or without mucus, Fever)
• signs of tear in the stomach or intestines (e.g., severe stomach pain, fever, chills, changed in bowel habits)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Alecensaro (Alectinib).

Each hard, white capsule, with "ALE" printed in black ink on the cap and "150 mg" printed in black ink on the body, contains 150 mg Alecensaro (Alectinib) (equivalent to 161.3 mg Alecensaro (Alectinib) hydrochloride). Nonmedicinal ingredients: carboxymethylcellulose calcium, hydroxypropylcellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate; capsule shell: carnauba wax, carrageenan, corn starch, hypromellose, potassium chloride, titanium dioxide, and trace of printing ink.

Do not take Alecensaro (Alectinib) if you are allergic to Alecensaro (Alectinib) or any ingredients of the medication.

There may be an interaction between Alecensaro (Alectinib) and any of the following:

• Amiodarone
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol, Sotalol)
• Ceritinib
• Clonidine
• dabigatran
• Digoxin
• Diltiazem
• Donepezil
• Dronedarone
• Fingolimod
• Galantamine
• grapefruit juice
• Guanfacine
• Ivabradine
• Lacosamide
• Lanreotide
• Methotrexate
• methyldopa
• Octreotide
• Pasireotide
• Propafenone
• Rivastigmine
• Ruxolitinib
• St. John's wort
• sufentanil
• Tizanidine
• Tofacitinib
• Verapamil

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Alecensaro (Alectinib). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.