Alecensa (Alectinib Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Alecensa Used For?
Alecensa is a targeted cancer medicine that treats a specific type of lung cancer caused by changes in the ALK gene.
Primary Uses
Alecensa treats adults with non-small cell lung cancer that is ALK-fusion positive. It can be used after surgery to prevent cancer from returning (adjuvant treatment) or when the cancer is advanced or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).
How It Works
In patients with ALK-positive cancer, an altered gene causes the body to make an abnormal protein called ALK fusion protein, which leads to uncontrolled cell growth. Alecensa blocks the action of these ALK fusion proteins, helping to slow or stop cancer growth and may help shrink tumors.
Good to know: Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure Alecensa is the right treatment for your specific type of lung cancer.
How to Take Alecensa
Alecensa comes as capsules that must be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Taking it consistently with food helps your body absorb the medicine properly.
Dosage Instructions
The recommended dose is 600 mg (4 capsules) taken twice daily with food. Take 4 capsules in the morning with breakfast and 4 capsules in the evening with dinner. Take at about the same times each day. Swallow capsules whole with water – do not open, chew, or dissolve them. If taking after surgery, treatment may continue for up to 2 years.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose or vomit after taking it, skip that dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra capsules to make up for the missed dose. If you’re unsure what to do, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose – this increases your risk of serious side effects.
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:
- diarrhea and/or constipation
- nausea and/or vomiting
- rash
- blurred or impaired vision, black dots or white spots in vision, double vision
- red, hot or swollen joints
- pain below ribs or around stomach area
- cloudy or dark urine
- tiredness
- dizziness
- headache
- sensitivity to sunlight
- inflammation in mouth
- change in sense of taste
- weight gain
- swelling of hands, feet, legs or around eyes
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- severe stomach or abdominal pain, fever, chills, vomiting, abdominal rigidity or bloating (possible gut perforation)
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- cough and/or fever
- yellowing of skin or whites of eyes
- slow heart beat
- unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness
- decreased urine, confusion, new or worsening swelling of legs/ankles/around eyes, chest pain or pressure
- tiredness, weakness, dizziness with yellow skin (signs of anemia)
Important Warnings
Before starting Alecensa, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications to ensure safe treatment.
Who Should Not Take Alecensa
Do not take Alecensa if you are allergic to alectinib hydrochloride or any ingredients in the capsules. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, or skin rash. Safety and effectiveness in children under 18 years has not been established.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, lactose intolerance, galactose intolerance, congenital lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption, stomach or intestine problems including holes (perforation), conditions causing abdominal inflammation (diverticulitis), or cancer spread inside the abdomen. Alecensa may increase the risk of developing holes in the gut wall.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Alecensa can harm an unborn baby. Your doctor will perform a pregnancy test before starting treatment. Use highly effective contraception during treatment and for 5 weeks after stopping (women) or 3 months after stopping (men). Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for one week after your final dose.
Pregnancy Warning: This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. Effective contraception is essential during treatment.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with how Alecensa works or increase the risk of side effects. Always tell your healthcare providers about all medications you’re taking.
Important: These medicines have a narrow therapeutic index, meaning precise dosing is critical. Your doctor may need to adjust doses or monitor you more closely.
- digoxin (used to treat heart disease)
- dabigatran (used to prevent or treat blood clots)
- methotrexate (used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers)
Alcohol & Driving
Alecensa can affect your ability to drive safely and may cause vision problems or dizziness.
Alcohol
Information about alcohol interactions is not specifically mentioned in the prescribing information. Discuss alcohol use with your doctor.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how Alecensa affects you. This medicine may cause vision problems, slow heartbeat, or low blood pressure leading to dizziness or fainting. If you experience these symptoms, do not drive or operate machinery.
Temperature Regulation
Alecensa increases your sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged sun exposure during treatment and for at least 7 days after stopping. Use sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 50 or higher, and cover your arms, legs, and head when in sunlight.
Storage
Store Alecensa at room temperature below 30°C in a dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep capsules in the original package until time to take them. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Take expired or unused medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Alecensa, seek immediate medical attention even if you feel fine. Call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26, contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alecensa works by blocking abnormal proteins that cause cancer growth. Your doctor will monitor your progress with blood tests and other tests to see how well the treatment is working. If taking after surgery, treatment may continue for up to 2 years.
Yes, you must take Alecensa with food. Take 4 capsules with breakfast in the morning and 4 capsules with dinner in the evening. Taking it with food helps your body absorb the medicine properly.
If you miss a dose or vomit after taking it, skip that dose and take your next scheduled dose at the usual time. Do not take extra capsules to make up for the missed dose, as this increases your risk of side effects.
No, do not stop taking Alecensa even if you feel well. Continue taking it until your doctor tells you to stop. Your doctor may change your dose, temporarily stop, or permanently stop treatment based on how you respond and any side effects you experience.
Alecensa increases your sensitivity to sunlight. You should avoid prolonged sun exposure and use sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 50 or higher. Cover your arms, legs, and head when in sunlight during treatment and for at least 7 days after stopping.
If you can become pregnant, you must use highly effective contraception (such as double-barrier methods like condom and diaphragm) during treatment and for at least 5 weeks after stopping. Men with female partners of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after completion.
No, Alecensa capsules must be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Do not open, chew, crush, or dissolve the capsules, as this can affect how the medicine works in your body.
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.