Lorlatinib is used to treat a certain type of lung
cancer. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer
cells.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking lorlatinib and each time you get a
refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Swallow the tablets whole. Do
not crush, chew, or split the tablets. Do not take tablets that are broken
or cracked.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response
to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your
doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including
prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal
products).
Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often
or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster,
and your risk of serious side effects will increase.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take an extra
dose. Take your next dose at the regular time.
Tiredness, constipation, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea,
numbness/tingling of arms/legs, swelling ankles/feet/hands, dizziness,
headache, trouble sleeping, weight gain, muscle/joint pain, or vision
changes (such as blurred vision, decreased vision) may occur. If any of
these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check
your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are
high.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- signs of liver problems (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't
stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark
urine)
- mental/mood changes (such as depression, agitation,
hallucinations, thoughts of suicide)
- slow heartbeat
- fainting
- trouble speaking
This medication may make your blood sugar rise, which
can cause or worsen diabetes. Tell your doctor right away if you have
symptoms of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst/urination. If you
already have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly as directed and
share the results with your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your
diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- seizures
- new/worsening lung disease (such as shortness of breath,
cough, fever, chest pain)
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking lorlatinib, tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are allergic to it or if you have any other allergies. This product
may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or
other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- mental/mood problems (such as depression)
- seizures
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol/triglycerides
- slow heartbeat
This drug may make you dizzy or cause vision changes.
Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use
machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you
can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are
using marijuana (cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using lorlatinib. Lorlatinib
may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor should order a pregnancy test before
you start this medication. Women using this medication should ask about
reliable non-hormonal forms of birth control during treatment and for 6
months after the last dose. Men using this medication should ask about
reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for 3 months after the
last dose. If you or your partner become pregnant, talk to your doctor
right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast
milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not
recommended while using this medication and for 1 week after the last dose.
Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Other medications can affect the removal of lorlatinib
from your body, which may affect how lorlatinib works. Examples include
apalutamide, butalbital, enzalutamide, rifamycins (such as rifampin),
secobarbital, St. John's wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as
carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others.
This medication can speed up the removal of other
medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of
affected drugs include daridorexant, elacestrant, certain products used to
treat hepatitis C (such as asunaprevir, ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir),
mavacamten, quizartinib, revumenib, among others.
This medication may decrease the effectiveness of
hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause
pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you should use
reliable backup birth control methods while using this medication. Also
tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding,
because these may be signs that your birth control is not working
well.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as liver function,
cholesterol/triglyceride levels, heart rate, complete blood count, blood
sugar, blood pressure) should be done before you start taking this
medication and while you are taking it. Keep all medical and lab
appointments.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is within 4 hours of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.