Alunbrig (Brigatinib)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Alunbrig Used For?
Alunbrig contains the active ingredient brigatinib and belongs to a group of medicines called anti-neoplastic (or anti-cancer) agents which are used to treat cancer.
Primary Uses
Alunbrig is used to treat adults with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer. It is specifically for cancer that is ALK-positive (meaning your cancer cells have a fault in a gene called anaplastic lymphoma kinase) and is advanced or has spread to another part of your body (metastatic).
How It Works
Alunbrig prevents the activity of the ALK protein, which is known to be involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. It may slow down or stop the growth of your cancer and may also help to shrink your cancer.
How to Take Alunbrig
Take Alunbrig once a day at about the same time each day. Taking it at the same time will have the best effect and help you remember when to take it.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one 90 mg tablet once daily for the first 7 treatment days, then one 180 mg tablet once daily. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush or dissolve the tablets. Alunbrig tablets can be taken with or without food. Follow the instructions provided and use Alunbrig until your doctor tells you to stop.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, or if you vomit after taking a dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed, as this may increase the chance of getting an unwanted side effect.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose – this may increase the chance of 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:
- tiredness, headaches
- shortness of breath when exercising, dizziness and looking pale
- passing large amounts of urine, excessive thirst and dry mouth
- difficulty sleeping
- numbness or weakness of arms and legs
- numbness, tingling, or pain in hands or feet
- change in sense of taste
- blurred or impaired vision, black dots or white spots in vision, double vision
- high blood pressure
- abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
- diarrhea or constipation
- rash, itching
- pain and swelling of joints
- swelling throughout the body
- fever
- decreased appetite or weight loss
- cold-like symptoms
- sensitivity to sunlight
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- lung or breathing problems including shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, cough and/or fever (especially within first week)
- slow heart beat (bradycardia) with chest pain, dizziness, light headedness, fainting, or palpitations
- new or worsening muscle problems including unexplained muscle pain that doesn’t go away, tenderness or weakness
Important Warnings
There are important warnings you need to know before taking Alunbrig, including who should not take it and medical conditions to discuss with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Alunbrig
Do not take Alunbrig if you are allergic to brigatinib or any of the ingredients, if you are under 18 years of age (safety and effectiveness in children have not been established), or after the expiry date or if packaging is damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have had lung or breathing problems, high blood pressure, slow heartbeat, vision problems, sore or painful muscles, problems with your pancreas, kidneys or liver, high blood sugar, sensitivity to sunlight, or if you take any medicines for other conditions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Alunbrig may be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take while pregnant. Women who could become pregnant should use highly effective non-hormonal contraception during treatment and for at least 4 months after the last tablet. Men with female partners who could become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last tablet. It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking Alunbrig.
Serious lung problems: Alunbrig may cause serious lung-related side effects, particularly within the first week of treatment
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Alunbrig and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Do not have any grapefruit products during treatment as they may change the amount of Alunbrig in your body
- ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole (antifungal medicines)
- indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir (HIV medicines)
- clarithromycin, telithromycin, troleandomycin (antibiotics)
- St. John’s wort (herbal depression treatment)
- carbamazepine (epilepsy medicine)
- phenobarbital, phenytoin (epilepsy medicines)
- rifabutin, rifampicin (tuberculosis medicines)
- digoxin (heart medicine)
- dabigatran (blood thinner)
- colchicine (gout medicine)
- pravastatin, rosuvastatin (cholesterol medicines)
- methotrexate (cancer/arthritis medicine)
- sulfasalazine (inflammatory bowel disease medicine)
- efavirenz, etravirine (HIV medicines)
- modafinil (narcolepsy medicine)
- diltiazem, verapamil (blood pressure medicines)
- bosentan (pulmonary hypertension medicine)
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with activities that require alertness until you know how Alunbrig affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Alunbrig affects you. Alunbrig may cause visual disturbances, dizziness or tiredness. Do not drive or use machines if these symptoms occur.
Sun Exposure
Do not spend extended time in sunlight during treatment and for at least 5 days after your last dose. When in the sun, wear a hat, protective clothing, sunscreen and lip balm to protect against potential sunburn.
Storage
Keep Alunbrig in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep tablets in the pack until it’s time to take them, as they may not keep well if removed from packaging. Store away from moisture, heat or sunlight – not in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Alunbrig, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The duration of treatment with Alunbrig varies depending on the nature of your illness and your individual response to treatment. Your doctor will monitor your progress with blood tests and other tests to check how well it’s working.
Yes, Alunbrig tablets can be taken with or without food. Take them at the same time each day with a full glass of water.
If you miss your dose at the usual time, 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 as this may increase side effects.
No, do not stop taking Alunbrig or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor first. Follow your doctor’s instructions and use Alunbrig until your doctor tells you to stop.
Avoid grapefruit products, extended time in sunlight (for at least 5 days after your last dose), and crushing or dissolving the tablets. Always swallow them whole.
Call your doctor straight away if you experience lung or breathing problems (especially in the first week), slow heartbeat with chest pain or dizziness, new or worsening muscle problems, or if you or your partner becomes pregnant.
Yes, your doctor will do blood tests and other tests from time to time to monitor your progress and check for side effects. Keep all your doctor’s appointments so your progress can be checked.
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.