Medications like Zykadia can come with potential side effects, and dealing with them properly is essential.
Zykadia, a kinase inhibitor, is a prescription medication used to treat a specific form of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) known as anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+). While Zykadia can be effective in managing this type of cancer, it does come with a range of potential side effects that patients should be aware of.
Common side effects of Zykadia include digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. To help reduce the risk of these issues, it is recommended to take Zykadia with food. However, if diarrhea becomes bothersome, severe, or lasts longer than 2 to 3 days, it's important to talk with your doctor, who may recommend a medication like Imodium (loperamide) to help stop the diarrhea.
Mild side effects reported with Zykadia include cough, rash, itching, headache, dizziness, fever, pain in muscles, joints, or back, blurry vision, anemia, and photosensitivity. Photosensitivity can make your skin sensitive to sunlight or UV light, leading to symptoms such as redness or deepening of skin color, feeling of warmth or tightness in your skin, swollen skin, skin that's painful to touch, itching, skin blistering or peeling. To help avoid sunburn while taking Zykadia, it's advisable to avoid spending time in the sun, use sunlamps and tanning beds, and wear clothing to protect your skin, such as long sleeves, pants, and a hat. Using a high protection factor sunscreen can also help.
More serious side effects of Zykadia include liver problems, lung issues, heart-related side effects, and severe digestive problems. Liver problems may manifest as fatigue, loss of appetite, yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, nausea, abdominal pain, or abnormal bleeding/bruising. If you experience these symptoms, it's crucial to talk with your doctor.
Lung issues, including potentially life-threatening inflammation or pneumonitis, require monitoring for symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and fever. If you have new or worsening lung symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, fever, see your doctor right away.
Heart rhythm disturbances, particularly QT prolongation, can predispose to dangerous arrhythmias. Coadministration with other QT-prolonging drugs increases the risk of this side effect. If you have symptoms of heart problems while taking Zykadia, see your doctor right away. However, if your symptoms feel life-threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number.
It's also important to note that taking certain medications with Zykadia can cause it to build up in your body, increasing the risk of side effects. Before you start treatment with Zykadia, be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications you take.
Zykadia interacts with the medication warfarin, which may put you at a higher risk of bleeding. If you are taking warfarin, your doctor will need to closely monitor your blood clotting times.
Due to these risks, patients on ceritinib typically undergo frequent monitoring of liver function, heart rhythm via ECG, and assessment for respiratory symptoms. Treatment continuation depends on balancing efficacy with toxicity and may be stopped if intolerable side effects develop.
This profile of side effects aligns with the risks seen with other ALK and ROS1 inhibitors used in targeted therapy for NSCLC, and long-term management focuses on early detection and mitigation of these adverse effects.
Zykadia is a long-term treatment, and it's typically used when this form of cancer is metastatic (has spread to other parts of your body). If you have any concerns about the side effects of Zykadia or your treatment, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.
References: 1. [Accessed 2022, March 11]. Ceritinib (Zykadia) - Side Effects, Dosage, Uses, and More. Drugs.com. URL: https://www.drugs.com/mtm/ceritinib.html 2. [Accessed 2022, March 11]. Ceritinib (Zykadia) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancer Treatment Centers of America. URL: https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/non-small-cell-lung-cancer/treatment/medications/ceritinib-zykadia 3. [Accessed 2022, March 11]. Ceritinib (Zykadia) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Mayo Clinic. URL: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ceritinib-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20074547 4. [Accessed 2022, March 11]. Ceritinib (Zykadia) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. National Cancer Institute. URL: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/pfizer/ceritinib 5. [Accessed 2022, March 11]. Ceritinib (Zykadia) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Drugs.com. URL: https://www.drugs.com/mtm/ceritinib/side-effects.html
- The effects of Zykadia, a kinase inhibitor, can include a range of side effects during its use for medical-conditions like non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- Patients undergoing treatments with Zykadia should be aware of potential liver problems, lung issues, heart-related side effects, and severe digestive problems, and it's crucial to discuss any new or worsening symptoms with a medical professional.
- To manage side effects such as diarrhea and photosensitivity, individuals taking Zykadia may consider taking medications like Imodium or taking precautions like avoiding prolonged sun exposure and using high protection factor sunscreen.
