Patient and Healthcare Provider Resource

Patient and Healthcare Providers Resource

OralChemoEdSheets.com, Patient + Healthcare Providers Resource

OralChemoEdSheets.com, the Patient and Healthcare Providers Resource

Generic

Alectinib

(uh-LEK-tih-nib)

Brand

Alecensa®

(A-leh-SEN-suh)

Alectinib (Alecensa®) is used to treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has a genetic mutation called anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK).

 
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Page 1 ALECTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Name of your medication Generic name — alectinib (uh LEK tih nib) Brand name — Alecensa® (A leh SEN suh) Approved uses Alectinib is used to treat metastatic non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has a genetic mutation called anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). Dose and schedule Taking alectinib as instructed is important to allow your treatment to be as effective as possible, so here are some key points to remember. Your dose may vary, but the usual dose of alectinib is 600 milligrams (600 mg) to be taken by mouth at a scheduled time, two times a day. Alectinib should be taken with food and at the same times each day. Alectinib should be taken whole and not crushed, cut, or dissolved. If you are unable to swallow alectinib, talk to your care provider or pharmacist for possible options. If you miss a dose of alectinib, do not take an extra dose or two doses at one time. Simply take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Be sure to write down if you miss a dose and let your care provider know about any missed doses. Drug and food interactions Alectinib has many drug interactions. Please inform your care provider of all prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Talk with your care provider or pharmacist before taking new medications or supplements, or receiving any vaccines. ALECTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 2 Storage and handling Handle alectinib with care. Just like when chemotherapy is given into the vein, this drug can be toxic, and exposure of the drug to others should be limited. Store alectinib at room temperature (68°F–77°F) in a dry location away from light. Keep alectinib out of reach of children and pets. Leave alectinib in the provided packaging until it is ready to be taken. Whenever possible, you should give alectinib to yourself and follow the steps below. If a family member, friend, or caregiver needs to give the alectinib to you, they also need to follow these steps: 1. Wash hands with soap and water. 2. Put on gloves to avoid touching the medication. (Gloves are not necessary if you give the drug to yourself.) 3. Gently transfer the alectinib from its package to a small medicine or other disposable cup. 4. Administer the medicine immediately by mouth with water. 5. Remove gloves and do not use them for anything else. 6. Throw gloves and medicine cup in household trash. 7. Wash hands with soap and water. A daily pill box or pill reminder is not recommended to be used with alectinib. Keep alectinib in the original container until use. If you have any unused alectinib, do not throw it in the trash and do not flush it down the sink or toilet. Talk to your care provider or pharmacist about proper disposal of alectinib. If you are traveling, put your alectinib’s packaging in a sealed plastic bag. Ask your pharmacist if any additional travel precautions are needed. ALECTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 3 Side Effects of Alectinib Below are common side effects that have been known to happen in about one third or more of patients taking alectinib are listed on the left side of this table. You MAY NOT experience these side effects. Options to help manage any side effects that do occur are included on the right side of this table. These should be discussed with your care provider. If you experience any side effect you cannot manage or that is not listed here, contact your care provider. Possible Side Effect Management Decreased hemoglobin, part of the red blood cells that carry iron and oxygen Your hemoglobin should be monitored by a simple blood test. When your hemoglobin is low, you may notice that you get tired or fatigued more easily. • Try to get 7–8 hours of sleep per night. • Avoid operating heavy machinery if you feel too tired. • Find a balance between work and rest. • Stay as active as possible, but know that it is okay to rest as needed. • You might notice that you are more pale than usual. Let your care provider know right away if you experience any of the following: • Shortness of breath • Dizziness • Palpitations Changes in liver function Your liver function will be checked periodically by a simple blood test. Contact your care provider if you notice any of the following: • Yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes • Dark or brown urine • Bleeding or bruising Changes in electrolytes and other laboratory values • High creatine phosphokinase levels • High glucose levels • Low calcium levels Changes in some lab values may occur and will be monitored by a simple blood test. • You may not feel any symptoms if the changes are mild, and they usually are not a sign of a serious problem. • More severe changes may occur, which can be a sign of a serious problem. Notify your care provider if you have any of the following: • Shortness of breath • Chest discomfort • Weakness or fatigue • New aches and pains • Headaches • Dizziness • Swelling of your legs or feet • Red or brown colored urine Continued on the next page ALECTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 4 Possible Side Effect Management Fatigue You may be more tired than usual or have less energy. • Stay as active as possible, but know it is okay to rest as needed. • Try to do some activity every day. • Plan your activities, and do them at a time of day when you feel a bit more energetic. • Avoid operating heavy machinery if you feel too tired. Constipation Monitor how many bowel movements you have each day. • Drink 8–10 glasses of water or fluid each day unless your care provider has instructed you to limit your fluid intake. • Stay active and exercise, if possible. • Eat foods high in fiber, like raw fruits and vegetables. Contact your care provider if you have not had a bowel movement in three or more days. Your care provider may recommend over the counter medications to help with your constipation. A daily stool softener, such as docusate (Colace®), and/or a laxative, such as senna (Senokot®), may be helpful. If these do not help within 48 hours, tell your provider. Fluid retention or swelling • Do not stand for long periods of time. • Keep your legs elevated when sitting or lying down. • Avoid eating salty foods, which can increase swelling. • Avoid wearing tight fitting clothing and shoes. • Weigh yourself daily. Contact your care provider if you notice: • Swelling in the hands, feet, or legs Serious side effects of alectinib Alectinib may be harmful to your liver. Speak to your care provider to know when you need to have laboratory tests done to monitor your liver function. If your get this side effect, your doctor may change your dose or stop treatment for some time. Alectinib may be harmful to your lungs. Inform your care provider of any new difficulty breathing, cough, or fever. Your provider may stop treatment with alectinib if your lungs are affected. Alectinib may be harmful to your kidneys. Speak to your care provider to know when you need to have laboratory tests done to monitor your kidneys. If you get this side effect, your doctor may change your dose or stop treatment for some time. Alectinib can cause severe muscle pain. Let your care provider know if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. Alectinib may cause your lung tissue to scar, which is called interstitial lung disease. Call your care team if you are feeling short of breath, have a fever, or have a lasting dry cough. ALECTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 5 If you experience ANY uncontrolled side effect, call your physician or healthcare center immediately: (INSTITUTIONAL CONTACT INFO) Handling body fluids and waste Since alectinib remains in your body for several days after it is taken, some of the drug may be present in urine, stool, sweat, or vomit. Once you have started to take alectinib, it is important to follow the instructions below every day for as long as your treatment lasts. This is to keep yourself, loved ones, and the environment as safe as possible. Pregnant women should avoid touching anything that may be soiled with body fluids from the patient. Toilet and septic systems • You may use the same toilet, septic tank, and/or sewer that you usually use. If you have a low flow toilet, close the lid and flush twice to ensure all waste has been discarded. • If the toilet or toilet seat becomes soiled with urine, stool, or vomit, clean the surfaces before other people use the toilet. • Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet. If you need a bedpan, be sure your caregiver knows to wear gloves to assist with cleanup and to wash the bedpan with soap and water every day. If you do not have good control of bladder or bowels, use a disposable pad with a plastic back, a diaper, or a sheet to absorb body waste. Wash any skin that has been exposed to body waste or alectinib with soap and water. Linens or clothing that are soiled with body fluids or body waste should be washed separately from other linens and clothing. If you do not have a washer, place the soiled linens in a plastic bag until they can be washed. Wash hands with soap and water after touching linens or clothing that may be soiled with body fluids. Pregnancy, sexual activity, and contraception Women should not become pregnant and men should not get a partner pregnant while taking alectinib. Females of childbearing age and potential should use effective contraception during therapy and for a minimum of one week after the last dose of alectinib. Males with female partners of childbearing age and potential should use effective contraception during therapy and for a minimum of three months after the last dose of alectinib. Effective contraception could include one or more of the following: oral contraceptive, barrier methods, etc. Do not breastfeed while taking alectinib and for one week after the last dose of alectinib. Please inform your care provider if you become pregnant. It is safe to hug and kiss. Special precautions may be needed for sexual activity while on oral chemotherapy, and you are encouraged to ask your care provider. ALECTINIB ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Page 6 Important notice: The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA), National Community Oncology Dispensing Association, Inc. (NCODA), and Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) have collaborated in gathering information for and developing this patient education guide. This guide represents a brief summary of the medication derived from information provided by the drug manufacturer and other resources. This guide does not cover all existing information related to the possible uses, directions, doses, precautions, warnings, interactions, adverse effects, or risks associated with this medication and should not substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Provision of this guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of this medication by ACCC, HOPA, NCODA, or ONS, who assume no liability for and cannot ensure the accuracy of the information presented. The collaborators are not making any representations with respect to the medications whatsoever, and any and all decisions, with respect to such medications, are at the sole risk of the individual consuming the medication. All decisions related to taking this medication should be made with the guidance and under the direction of a qualified healthcare professional. Permission: Oral Chemotherapy Education (OCE) sheets are provided as a free educational resource for patients with cancer in need of concise, easy to understand information about oral cancer drugs. Healthcare providers are permitted to copy and distribute the sheets to patients as well as direct patients to the OCE website for information. However, commercial reproduction or reuse, as well as rebranding or reposting of any type, are strictly prohibited without permission of the copyright holder. Please email permission requests and licensing inquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Copyright © 2020 by Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association. All rights reserved. Obtaining medication Talk with your care provider about the process for obtaining your alectinib. (PHARMACY OR SPECIALTY PHARMACY CONTACT INFO) Additional resources Product website: www.alecensa.com Product prescribing information: www.gene.com/download/pdf/alecensa prescribing.pdf Product resources: www.alecensa.com/patient/patient support/financial and other resources.html Updated – September 11, 2020 Additional instructions

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