Health conditions you must tell your doctor about before using brigatinib

Health conditions you must tell your doctor about before using brigatinib

Before starting treatment with Alunbrig (brigatinib) and during treatment, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following: new or worsening difficulty breathing, chest pain, cough, fever; high blood pressure accompanied by headache or blurred vision; slow pulse causing dizziness or fainting; vision changes such as flashing lights, blurred vision, sensitivity to light; unexplained muscle pain or weakness; severe upper stomach pain that worsens after eating, possibly spreading to the back, with weight loss or nausea; pain on the right side of the abdomen, yellowing of skin or whites of eyes, dark urine; high blood sugar causing thirst, increased urination, hunger, tiredness; and unusual sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Limit time in the sun during treatment. When outdoors, wear a hat and protective clothing, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen and lip balm with SPF of at least 30, continuing for at least 5 days after stopping treatment.

Drug interactions with brigatinib

Alunbrig may interact with other medicines. You must tell your doctor about all medicines you are using, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal products. Pay special attention to the following: antifungal medicines (ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole); anti-HIV drugs (indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir); antibiotics (clarithromycin, telithromycin, troleandomycin, nafcillin); antidepressants (nefazodone, St. John's wort); anti-seizure drugs (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin); anti-tuberculosis drugs (rifabutin, rifampin); heart medicines (digoxin, quinidine); blood thinners (dabigatran); uric acid lowering drugs (colchicine); cholesterol-lowering drugs (pravastatin, rosuvastatin); immunosuppressants (methotrexate, sulfasalazine, cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus); as well as modafinil, bosentan, alfentanil, fentanyl, and others. During treatment, avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice, as this can affect blood levels of the medicine.

Special populations using brigatinib

Females of childbearing potential must use effective non-hormonal contraception during treatment with Alunbrig and for 4 months after the last dose, and avoid becoming pregnant. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor. The medicine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. It is unknown whether brigatinib passes into breast milk. To avoid harm to a nursing infant, do not breastfeed during treatment. Male patients should use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose to avoid causing pregnancy in a partner. This medicine may cause vision problems, dizziness, or tiredness. If you experience these symptoms, do not drive a car or operate machinery. Additionally, this medicine contains lactose; patients with lactose intolerance should consult their doctor. Each tablet contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium, essentially sodium-free.