Xalkori (Crizotinib)

XALKORI (crizotinib) is a prescription medicine used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is advanced or has spread to other parts of the body and is caused by a defect in a gene called ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase). XALKORI approval is based on the percentage of patients whose tumors responded to treatment. It is manufactured by Pfizer. Available in 250 mg dosage. 60 tablet pack.

It is not known whether XALKORI will improve symptoms or will help patients with this disease live longer. It is not known if XALKORI is safe and effective in children.
Important safety information
XALKORI may cause serious side effects, some of which may include:
Liver problems — XALKORI may cause life-threatening and/or fatal liver injury. Your doctor should do blood tests every month to check your liver while you are taking XALKORI. Tell your doctor right away if you get any of the following:
your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow
you feel tired
your urine turns dark or brown (tea color)
you have nausea or vomiting
you have a decreased appetite
you have pain on the right side of your stomach
you bleed or bruise more easily than normal
you have itching
Swelling of the lungs (pneumonitis) — XALKORI may cause life-threatening and/or fatal swelling (inflammation) of the lungs during treatment. Symptoms may be similar to those symptoms from lung cancer. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms, including:
trouble breathing or shortness of breath
cough with or without mucous
fever
Changes in heartbeat (called QT interval prolongation), very fast or abnormal heartbeats — Your doctor may check your heart during treatment with XALKORI. Tell your doctor right away if you have abnormal heartbeats, feel dizzy, or faint. These may be symptoms related to QT interval prolongation.

The most common side effects of XALKORI include:

• vision problems — these problems usually happen within 2 weeks of starting XALKORI. Tell your doctor right away if you have any change in vision, such as:
  • >flashes of light
  • >blurred vision
  • >light hurting your eyes
  • >new or increased floaters
• nausea
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• swelling of your hands or feet
• constipation