Xalkori

Though rare, some people taking Xalkori (crizotinib) have experienced a serious lung problem called interstitial lung disease (ILD). Talk to your provider right away if you experience sudden or worsening cough, trouble breathing , and fever. You might have to pause or stop Xalkori (crizotinib) while your provider figures out the cause.

Risk factor: History of liver problems

Some people taking Xalkori (crizotinib) have shown high levels of liver enzymes on their blood tests, which can suggest liver problems. Your doctor will monitor your liver health on a regular basis, usually every month, and if something changes, you might need to pause or stop the Xalkori (crizotinib) while your doctor looks into it. Most people don’t feel any noticeable symptoms when this happens, so it’s important to keep up with your lab work regularly. If you have stomach pain, yellowish skin, or yellow around the whites of your eyes, call your provider right away.

Risk factors: Heart failure | History of abnormal heart rhythms | Taking other medications that can affect heart rhythm

Rarely, some people taking Xalkori (crizotinib) have changes in their heart rhythm, also called QT prolongation. Don’t take Xalkori (crizotinib) if you’re born with long QT syndrome. If you’re at risk for QT prolongation for another reason, such as because of another medication you take, your doctor might monitor you more closely with a test called an electrocardiogram (EKG). If you have sudden chest pain, feel very dizzy or pass out, seek medical help right away. Your provider will review all the other medications you take to check if you’re at a higher risk.

Risk factors: History of bradycardia | Taking other medications that can slow heart rate, such as metoprolol (Lopressor)

People who take Xalkori (crizotinib) might experience a slow heart rate, which can cause tiredness, weakness, and feeling light-headed. A slow heart rate isn’t always serious, but if it causes fainting, then your provider might ask you to pause or stop taking Xalkori (crizotinib) . You can check your own heart rate at home between clinic visits and call your provider if you notice a change. You can check it at home with a blood pressure cuff, smart watch, or by counting your pulse for one minute. If you’re taking other medications that can also slow heart rate, your provider might ask you to monitor your heart rate more often.

Xalkori (crizotinib) can cause vision changes such as blurred vision and not seeing as well. In rare cases, people have experienced near total vision loss. If you’re an adult, you should see an ophthalmologist before you start crizotinib and once a month while you’re still taking it. Young adults and children should see an ophthalmologist before starting crizotinib, one month after starting, and then every three months. If you do experience changes in your vision, your provider might ask you to stop crizotinib treatment, depending on how serious the changes are.

Children and young adults taking Xalkori (crizotinib) for ALCL or IMT might experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Your prescriber will give you medication to prevent nausea that should be taken before each dose of Xalkori (crizotinib) and in between doses if needed. They can also recommend medications to treat diarrhea, as well as give you lifestyle tips such as eating bland, low-fat foods and drinking plenty of non-sugary fluids. If you have nausea or diarrhea that won’t stop even after three days of using medication, call your provider.

Based on animal studies, Xalkori (crizotinib) might harm an unborn baby or raise the risk for miscarriage (pregnancy loss). Because of these risks, if you’re a female who can get pregnant, you should use birth control while taking Xalkori (crizotinib) and for 45 days after the last dose. Let your provider know right away if you become pregnant while taking Xalkori (crizotinib) . If you’re a male who is sexually active with a partner who is able to get pregnant, use condoms during treatment and for at least three months after the last dose.