Lorviqua (Lorlatinib)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Lorviqua Used For?
Lorviqua contains the active ingredient lorlatinib and is specifically designed to treat a rare type of lung cancer.
Primary Uses
Lorviqua is used to treat a rare type of lung cancer that is caused by defects in a gene called anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK).
How It Works
Lorviqua blocks the action of an enzyme called ‘ALK tyrosine kinase’. Abnormal forms of this enzyme (due to the fault in the ALK gene) help encourage cancer cell growth. Lorviqua may slow down or stop the growth of your cancer and may also help to shrink your cancer.
Good to know: Lorviqua is not addictive.
How to Take Lorviqua
Lorviqua is taken by mouth once daily at approximately the same time each day.
Dosage Instructions
The recommended dose is 100 mg taken orally once daily. Swallow the tablets whole – do not crush, chew or split the tablets. It does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food. However, you should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Lorviqua. Your doctor may lower your dose, stop your treatment for a short time or stop your treatment completely if you feel unwell.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time and it is less than 4 hours before your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- tiredness
- weight gain
- diarrhea
- constipation
- pain in joints
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- allergic reactions with swelling of skin or limbs
- nervous system problems: pain, numbness, burning, or pins and needles in arms or legs
- eye problems: difficulty seeing, double vision, flashes of light
- seizures
- difficulty walking or performing usual activities
- speech changes: slurred or slow speech
- memory problems: confusion, memory loss, attention disturbance
- mood changes and mood swings
- hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real)
- high blood pressure
- changes in cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels
- high blood sugar levels
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Lorviqua.
Who Should Not Take Lorviqua
Do not use if you are allergic to lorlatinib or any ingredients. Do not take with: rifampicin (tuberculosis medicine), carbamazepine or phenytoin (epilepsy medicines), enzalutamide (adrenal gland cancer medicine), mitotane (prostate cancer medicine), or medicines containing St John’s wort.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: high blood cholesterol or triglycerides, high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels (diabetes), heart problems including reduced heart rate or abnormal ECG results, high levels of amylase or lipase enzymes or pancreatitis, cough/chest pains/shortness of breath or previous pneumonitis, liver problems, kidney problems, or neurological problems.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Lorviqua if you are pregnant as it may affect your developing baby. Do not breast-feed while taking Lorviqua or for 7 days after the last dose. Use highly effective contraception during treatment and for at least 21 days after stopping treatment. Lorviqua may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. If your male partner is being treated with Lorviqua, he must use a condom during treatment and for at least 14 weeks after stopping treatment. Lorviqua may affect male fertility.
Children: Do not give this medicine to a child. Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Lorviqua and affect how it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.
Grapefruit interaction: Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Lorviqua.
- boceprivir (hepatitis C medicine)
- AIDS/HIV medicines: efavirenz, cobicistat, ritonavir, paritaprevir combinations
- antifungal medicines: itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole
- troleandomycin (bacterial infection medicine)
- quinidine (heart rhythm medicine)
- pain medicines: alfentanil and fentanyl
- organ transplant rejection medicines: ciclosporin, sirolimus, tacrolimus
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with alcohol consumption and driving while taking Lorviqua.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Lorviqua affects you, as you may experience neurological symptoms.
Storage
Keep your tablets in the pack/bottle until it is time to take them. Store them out of reach of children, in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Avoid heat and dampness (e.g., bathroom, window sill or car) as they may destroy the tablets. Keep Lorviqua in a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground.
Overdose Information
If you think that you have taken too much Lorviqua, you may need urgent medical attention. You should immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26), or contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you. Your doctor will monitor your progress regularly and may adjust your treatment as needed.
It does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food. However, you should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Lorviqua.
No, Lorviqua is not addictive.
If you miss your dose and it is less than 4 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Your doctor can advise you about alcohol consumption while taking Lorviqua.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor. If you are not able to take the medicine as your doctor has prescribed, contact your doctor right away.
No, you should swallow the tablets whole and do not crush, chew or split the tablets.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.