What is this medicine?
CRIZOTINIB (kriz OH ti nib) is a chemotherapy drug. It targets a specific protein within cancer cells and stops the cancer cells from growing. This medicine is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer.
Open All
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
Open
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-heart disease
-history of irregular heartbeat
-history of low levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium in the blood
-kidney disease
-liver disease
-an unusual or allergic reaction to crizotinib, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Open
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not cut, crush or chew this medicine. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take the doses about 12 hours apart. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you've taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
What if I miss a dose?
Open
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is less than 6 hours before your next dose, do not make up for the missed dose and just take your next dose at your regular time. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
Open
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
-arsenic trioxide
-astemizole
-certain medicines for irregular heart beat like amiodarone, bepridil, dofetilide, encainide, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine
-chloroquine
-chlorpromazine
-cisapride
-clarithromycin
-dextromethorphan; quinidine
-dronedarone
-droperidol
-erythromycin
-grepafloxacin
-halofantrine
-haloperidol
-levomethadyl
-mesoridazine
-methadone
-pentamidine
-pimozide
-posaconazole
-probucol
-propafenone
-saquinavir
-sparfloxacin
-terfenadine
-thioridazine
-troleandomycin
-ziprasidoneThis medicine may also interact with the following medications:
-antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS
-certain medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole
-certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
-certain medicines for stomach problems like cimetidine, famotidine, omeprazole,
lansoprazole
-grapefruit juice
-midazolam
-nefazodone
-rifabutin
-rifampin
-St. John's wort, Hypericum perforatum
-telithromycin
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Open
Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Tell your doctor about any unusual symptoms.
Tell your doctor or health care professional right away if you have any change in your eyesight. Do not drive or use machinery if you have a change in your eyesight.
Avoid taking products that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your doctor. These medicines may hide a fever.
Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.
This drug may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.
Men and women should use effective birth control while taking this medicine and for 3 months after stopping this medicine. Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine and for at least 3 months after your last dose. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Open
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
-allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
-low blood counts - this medicine may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding
-signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
-signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine, nosebleeds
-breathing problems
-changes in vision
-chest pain or chest tightness
-cough with or without mucous
-dark urine
-fast or irregular heartbeat
-feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
-general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms
-light-colored stools
-loss of appetite
-pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet
-right upper belly pain
-sores or white patches in your mouth or throat
-unusually weak or tired
-vomiting
-yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (Report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome.):
-changes in taste
-constipation
-decreased appetite
-diarrhea
-dizziness
-headache
-joint pain
-nausea
-swelling of the ankles, feet, hands
-tired
-trouble sleeping
-upset stomach
Where should I keep my medicine?
Open
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Information on use before, during and after pregnancy.
Open
FIRST Trimester
Class D - Adequate well-controlled or observational studies in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the fetus. However, the benefits of therapy may outweigh the potential risk. For example, the drug may be acceptable if needed in a life-threatening situation or serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective.
SECOND Trimester
Class D - Adequate well-controlled or observational studies in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the fetus. However, the benefits of therapy may outweigh the potential risk. For example, the drug may be acceptable if needed in a life-threatening situation or serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective.
THIRD Trimester
Class D - Adequate well-controlled or observational studies in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the fetus. However, the benefits of therapy may outweigh the potential risk. For example, the drug may be acceptable if needed in a life-threatening situation or serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective.
Lactation
Avoid - This drug is known to cause harm to infants when taken by nursing mothers.
