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lorlatinib

( lor-LA-ti-nib )
Other Name(s): Lorbrena®
Apparence: tablet in various strengths, shapes and colours

Medication Information Sheet
lorlatinib (lor-LA-ti-nib)
This document provides general information about your medication. It does not replace the advice of your health care professional. Always discuss your therapy with your health care professional and refer to the package insert for more details.

Other Name: Lorbrena®

Appearance:
tablet

in various strengths, shapes and colours

What is this medication for?
  • For treating a certain type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
What should I do before I have this medication?

Tell your health care team if you have or had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have / had: 

  • any history of mental health problems

  • high fat levels in your blood (cholesterol or triglycerides)

  • high blood sugar or diabetes

  • high blood pressure

  • heart problems (including irregular heart beat)

  • lung, liver, kidney, pancreas problems, or

  • any allergies.

Lorlatinib tablets contain a small amount of lactose. If you cannot have lactose, talk to your health care team.
 

Remember to:

  • Tell your health care team about all of the other medications you are taking.
     

  • Keep taking other medications that have been prescribed for you, unless you have been told not to by your health care team.

How will this medication affect sex, pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Talk to your health care team about:

  • How this medication may affect your sexual health.

  • How this medication may affect your ability to have a baby, if this applies to you.
     

This medication may harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care team if you or your partner are pregnant, become pregnant during treatment, or are breastfeeding.

  • If there is any chance you may become pregnant, you and your partner together must use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time until 21 days after your last dose. Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.
     
  • If you are a patient that can get somebody pregnant, you and your partner together must use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time until 97 days after your last dose. Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.

     

  • This medication may make hormonal birth control, such as birth control pills, less effective (not work as well). If you choose to use a hormonal birth control, make sure you also use a barrier or non-hormonal birth control method (such as condoms). Talk to your health care team about the best birth control options for you.
     

  • Do not breastfeed while on this medication and for 7 days after the last dose.

     

How is this medication given?
  • This medication is usually taken once a day by mouth. Talk to your health care team about how and when to take your medication.

  • Take the dose at about the same time each day.

  • Swallow whole with a glass of water, with or without food.

  • Do not crush, chew or split the tablets.

  • If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose (within 4 hours), just skip this dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

  • If you vomit (throw up) after taking your medication, do not take an extra dose; just take your next dose at the scheduled time.
     

  • If you take too much of your oral anticancer medication by accident, or if you think a child or a pet may have swallowed your medication, you must call the Ontario Poison Control Center right away at: 1-800-268-9017.

What else do I need to know while on this medication?

Will this medication interact with other medications or natural health products?

  • This medication can interact with other medications, vitamins, foods and natural health products. Interactions can make the treatment not work as well or cause severe side effects.

  • Tell your health care team about all of your:

    • prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications and all other drugs, such as marijuana (medical or recreational)

    • natural health products such as vitamins, herbal teas, homeopathic medicines, and other supplements

  • Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
     

What should I do if I feel unwell, have pain, a headache or a fever?

  • Always check your temperature to see if you have a fever before taking any medications for fever or pain (such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil)).

    • Fever can be a sign of infection that may need treatment right away.

    • If you take these medications before you check for fever, they may lower your temperature and you may not know you have an infection.
       

How to check for fever:

Keep a digital (electronic) thermometer at home and take your temperature if you feel hot or unwell (for example, chills, headache, mild pain).

  • You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
     
    • 38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time

      OR
       
    • 38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher for at least one hour.
       

If you do have a fever:

  • Try to contact your health care team. If you are not able to talk to them for advice, you MUST get emergency medical help right away.

  • Ask your health care team for the Fever pamphlet for more information. 
     

If you do not have a fever but have mild symptoms such as headache or mild pain:

  • Ask your health care team about the right medication for you. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is a safe choice for most people.

  • Talk to your health care team before you start taking Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or ASA (Aspirin®), as they may increase your chance of bleeding or interact with your cancer treatment.

  • Talk to your health care team if you already take low dose aspirin for a medical condition (such as a heart problem). It may still be safe to take.
     

What to DO while on this medication:

  • DO check with your health care team before getting any vaccinations, surgery, dental work or other medical procedures.

  • DO tell your health care team if you have any new pain, numbness or tingling of your hands or feet. This is especially important if you are having trouble doing tasks (like doing up buttons, writing, walking) or if you have severe pain or numbness.

  • DO tell your health care team if you start peeing more often than usual and are extremely thirsty.
     

What NOT to DO while on this medication:

  • DO NOT smoke or drink alcohol while on treatment without talking to your health care team first. Smoking and drinking can make side effects worse and make your treatment not work as well.

  • DO NOT eat or drink grapefruit, starfruit, Seville oranges or their juices (or products that contain these) while taking this drug. They may increase the amount of drug in your blood and increase side effects. 

  • DO NOT drive, operate machinery or do any tasks that need you to be alert if you feel tired or dizzy.

 

How should I safely store this medication?
  • Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.

  • Keep this medication in the original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and light. Keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.

  • How to safely touch oral anti-cancer medications

    If you are a patient:

    • Wash your hands before and after touching your oral anti-cancer medication.

    • Swallow each pill whole. Do not crush or chew your pills.
       

    If you are a caregiver:

    • Wear nitrile or latex gloves when touching tablets, capsules or liquids.
       

    • Wash your hands before putting on your gloves and after taking them off, even if your skin did not touch the oral anti-cancer medication.
       

    • Throw out your gloves after each use. Do not re-use gloves.
       

    • Do not touch oral anti-cancer medications if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
       

  • What to do if oral anti-cancer medication gets on your skin or in your eyes

    If medication gets on your skin:

    • Wash your skin with a lot of soap and water.

    • If your skin gets red or irritated, talk to your health care team.


    If medication gets in your eyes:

    • Rinse your eyes with running water right away. Keep water flowing over your open eyes for at least 15 minutes.

 

 

 

What are the side effects of this medication?

The following table lists side effects that you may have when getting lorlatinib. The table is set up to list the most common side effects first and the least common last. It is unlikely that you will have all of the side effects listed and you may have some that are not listed.

Read over the side effect table so that you know what to look for and when to get help. Refer to this table if you experience any side effects while on lorlatinib.

Very Common Side Effects (50 or more out of 100 people)
Side effects and what to do When to contact health care team

Higher than normal cholesterol or fat levels in the blood

(May be severe)

What to look for?

High cholesterol or fat levels do not usually cause any symptoms. Since your medication may cause high cholesterol, your health care team may do regular blood tests to check your cholesterol levels.
 

What to do?

  • Your health care team may give you medication to treat high cholesterol or fat levels.
  • If you already take medication for high cholesterol or fat levels, your health care team may change the amount or the type of medication you take. 
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

Mild swelling

What to look for?

  • You may have mild swelling or puffiness in your arms and/or legs. Rarely, this may be severe.

What to do?

To help prevent swelling:

  • Eat a low-salt diet.

If you have swelling:

  • Wear loose-fitting clothing.
  • For swollen legs or feet, keep your feet up when sitting.
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

 

Common Side Effects (25 to 49 out of 100 people)
Side effects and what to do When to contact health care team

Weight gain

What to look for?

What to do?

  • Try to eat a healthy and well balanced diet.
  • Eat small meals throughout the day.
  • Ask your health care team to see a dietitian to help you control your weight if this bothers you.

If you notice you’re gaining weight, talk to your health care team to find out what may be causing this and what to do.
 

Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

Neuropathy (Tingling, numb toes or fingers)

What to look for?

  • Numbness or tingling of your fingers and toes may happen after starting your treatment. 
  • Sometimes it can be painful and feel like burning sensation, which may be severe.
     

What to do?

  • Talk to your health care team if you have symptoms of neuropathy.
  • Numbness and tingling may slowly get better after your treatment ends.

In rare cases, it may continue long after treatment ends. If you continue to have bothersome symptoms, talk to your health care team for advice.
 

Talk to your health care team, especially if you have trouble doing tasks like doing up buttons, writing, moving, severe pain or numbness.

 

Less Common Side Effects (10 to 24 out of 100 people)
Side effects and what to do When to contact health care team

Effects on your brain or how you think

What to look for?

  • You may have:
    • Trouble with attention or severe memory problems
    • Confusion
    • Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
    • Delusions (a strong belief that isn’t real)
    • Trouble thinking and talking
    • Seizures (rare)
       

What to do?

If you have any of these symptoms, get emergency medical help right away.

Get emergency medical help right away.

Diarrhea

What to look for?

  • Loose, watery, unformed stool (poo) that may happen days to weeks after you get your treatment.
     

What to do?

If you have diarrhea:

  • Take anti-diarrhea medication if your health care team prescribed it or told you to take it.
  • Do not eat foods or drinks with artificial sweetener (like chewing gum or ‘diet’ drinks), coffee and alcohol.
  • Eat many small meals and snacks instead of 2 or 3 large meals.
  • Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day, unless your health care team has told you to drink more or less.
  • Talk to your health care team if you can’t drink 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day when you have diarrhea. You may need to drink special liquids with salt and sugar, called Oral Rehydration Therapy.
  • Talk to your health care team if your diarrhea does not improve after 24 hours of taking diarrhea medication or if you have diarrhea more than 7 times in one day.

Ask your health care team for the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information.

Talk to your health care team if no improvement after 24 hours of taking diarrhea medication or if severe (more than 7 times in one day).

Cough and feeling short of breath

What to look for?

  • You may have a cough and feel short of breath.
  • Symptoms that commonly occur with a cough are:
    • Wheezing or a whistling breathing
    • Runny nose
    • Sore throat
    • Heartburn
    • Weight loss
    • Fever and chills
  • Rarely this may be severe with chest pain, trouble breathing or coughing up blood.
     

What to do?

  • Check your temperature to see if you have a fever. Read the above section "What should I do if I feel unwell, have pain, a headache or a fever?" 
  • If you have a fever, try to talk to your health care team. If you are not able to talk to them for advice, you MUST get emergency medical help right away.
  • If you have a severe cough with chest pain, trouble breathing or you are coughing up blood, get medical help right away.

 

Talk to your health care team. If you are not able to talk to your health care team for advice, and you have a fever or severe symptoms, you MUST get emergency medical help right away.

Fatigue 

What to look for?

  • Feeling of tiredness or low energy that lasts a long time and does not go away with rest or sleep.
     

What to do?

  • Be active. Aim to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise (you are able to talk comfortably while exercising) on most days.
  • Check with your health care team before starting any new exercise.
  • Pace yourself, do not rush. Put off less important activities. Rest when you need to.
  • Ask family or friends to help you with things like housework, shopping, and child or pet care.
  • Eat well and drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water or other liquids every day (unless your health care team has told you to drink more or less).
  • Avoid driving or using machinery if you are feeling tired.
     

Ask your health care team for the Fatigue pamphlet for more information. 

 
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

Headache; Mild joint, muscle pain or cramps 

What to look for?

  • Mild headache
  • New pain in your muscles or joints, muscle cramps, or feeling achy.
     

What to do?

  • Take pain medication (acetaminophen or opioids such as codeine, morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone) as prescribed.
  • Read the above section: "What should I do if I feel unwell, have pain, a headache or a fever?" before taking acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or Aspirin. These medications may hide an infection that needs treatment or they may increase your risk of bleeding.
  • Rest often and try light exercise (such as walking) as it may help.
     

Ask your health care team for the Pain pamphlet for more information.

 
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

Anemia (low red blood cells)

What to look for?

  • You may feel more tired or weaker than normal.
  • Pale skin and cold hands and feet.
  • You may feel short of breath, dizzy or lightheaded.
  • This may occur in days to weeks after your treatment starts.


 

What to do?

If your health care team has told you that you have anemia (low red blood cells):

  • Rest often and eat well.
  • Light exercise, such as walking may help.
  • You may need medication or a blood transfusion.
  • If it is very bad, your doctor may need to make changes to your treatment regimen.

 

Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

High blood pressure

(May be severe)

What to look for?

  • There are usually no signs of high blood pressure.
  • Rarely, you may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds.

 

What to do?

  • Check your blood pressure regularly.
  • Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat high blood pressure.

If you have a severe headache get emergency help right away as it may be a sign your blood pressure is too high.

 

Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

Eye problems

What to look for?

  • Your eyes may feel dry, irritated, or painful.
  • They may look red and have a lot of tears.
  • They may feel sensitive to light and your vision may be blurry.

 

 

What to do?

  • Avoid wearing contact lenses.
  • Wear sunglasses with UV protection.
  • Use protective eyewear (goggles or helmet with face mask) when playing sports, mowing the lawn or doing anything that may get particles or fumes in your eyes.
  • You may try artificial tears (eye drops) or ointment.

 

Talk to your health care team as soon as possible.

Liver problems

Your health care team may check your liver function with a blood test. The liver changes do not usually cause any symptoms.

What to look for?

  • Rarely, you may develop yellowish skin or eyes, unusually dark pee or pain on the right side of your belly. This may be severe.

 

What to do?

If you have any symptoms of liver problems, get emergency medical help right away.

 

Get emergency medical help right away.

Constipation

What to look for?

  • Having bowel movements (going poo) less often than normal.
  • Small hard stools (poo) that look like pellets.
  • The need to push hard and strain to have any stool (poo) come out.
  • Stomach ache or cramps.
  • A bloated belly, feeling of fullness, or discomfort.
  • Leaking of watery stools (poo).
  • Lots of gas or burping.
  • Nausea or vomiting.

 

What to do?

To help prevent constipation:

  • Try to eat more fiber rich foods like fruits with skin, leafy greens and whole grains.
  • Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day unless your health care team has told you to drink more or less.
  • Be Active. Exercise can help to keep you regular.
  • If you take opioid pain medication, ask your health care team if eating more fibre is right for you.
     

To help treat constipation:

  • If you have not had a bowel movement in 2 to 3 days you may need to take a laxative (medication to help you poo) to help you have regular bowel movements. Ask your health care team what to do.

Ask your health care team for the Constipation Pamphlet for more information.
 

Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

Mood changes

What to look for?

  • You may feel hopeless or sad most of the day
  • You may feel anxious, nervous, restless, or stressed
  • You may feel like you have less energy or have little or no interest in activities that you usually enjoy
  • You may have changes in personality.
     

What to do?

  • Eating well and exercising may give you more energy and help you feel better. Always check with your health care team before starting a new exercise program to make sure it is safe for you.
  • Try to keep a regular bedtime routine. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
  • Get support from your family, friends, community and health care team.

Talk to your health care team if your mood changes do not improve or if they are severe.

Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

Dizziness

What to look for?

  • You may feel light-headed and like you might faint (pass out).


What to do?

  • Lay down right away so you do not fall.
  • Slowly get up and start moving once you feel better.
  • Do not drive a motor vehicle or use machinery if you feel dizzy.
     
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

Changes in your speech (how you talk and understand words)

What to look for?

  • You may find it hard to:
    • pronounce words,
    • find the right words when speaking,
    • understand others’ conversations.
  • Your speech may become slurred, mumbled or slow.
  • You may speak with words that don’t make sense.
     

What to do?

Talk to your health care team. If you are unable to talk to the team for advice, you must get emergency medical help right away.

 

Talk to your health care team. If you are unable to talk to the team for advice, you must get emergency medical help right away.

Trouble Sleeping

Your medications may cause trouble sleeping. It may get better once your body gets used to the medication or when your treatment ends.

What to look for?

  • You may find it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep.
  • How well you sleep may change over your treatment. For example, you may have several nights of poor sleep followed by a night of better sleep.
  • You may wake up too early or not feel well-rested after a night’s sleep.
  • You may feel tired or sleepy during the day.
     

What to do?

  • Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.
     
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

Nausea and vomiting

(Generally mild)

What to look for?

  • Nausea is feeling like you need to throw up. You may also feel light-headed.
  • You may feel nausea within hours to days after your treatment.
     

What to do?

To help prevent nausea:

  • It is easier to prevent nausea than to treat it once it happens.
  • Drink clear liquids and have small meals. Get fresh air and rest.
  • Do not eat spicy, fried foods or foods with a strong smell.
  • Limit caffeine (like coffee, tea) and avoid alcohol.

If you have nausea or vomiting:

  • Take your rescue (as-needed) anti-nausea medication(s) as prescribed.
  • Ask your health care team for the Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information.
  • Talk to your health care team if:
    • nausea lasts more than 48 hours
    • vomiting lasts more than 24 hours or if it is severe

 

Talk to your health care team if nausea lasts more than 48 hours or vomiting lasts more than 24 hours or if severe.

Rash; dry, itchy skin

What to look for?

  • You may have cracked, rough, flaking or peeling areas of the skin.
  • Your skin may look red and feel warm, like a sunburn.
  • Your skin may itch, burn, sting or feel very tender when touched.
     

What to do?

To prevent and treat dry skin:

  • Use fragrance-free skin moisturizer.
  • Protect your skin from the sun and the cold.
  • Use sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and a SPF of at least 30.
  • Avoid perfumed products and lotions that contain alcohol.
  • Drink 6 to 8 cups of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated liquids each day, unless your health care team has told you to drink more or less.

Rash may be severe in some rare cases and cause your skin to blister or peel. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away.
 

Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe.

 

 

Other rare, but serious side effects are possible.

If you experience ANY of the following, speak to your cancer health care provider or get emergency medical help right away:

  • irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting spells
  • feeling very thirsty, tired, weak or confused, peeing more often than usual
  • new leg pain when walking, weakness, or cramping in muscles
  • pain, swelling and hardening of the vein in an arm or leg

 

Who do I contact if I have questions or need help?          

My cancer health care provider is: ______________________________________________

During the day I should contact:________________________________________________

Evenings, weekends and holidays:______________________________________________

 

 

 

Other Notes:

____________________________________________________________________________

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September 2023 Updated "What should I do before I have this medication" and "How will this medication affect sex, pregnancy and breastfeeding?" sections

For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.

The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.

A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.