entrectinib
Other Name: Rozlytrek®
in various strengths and colours
- For treating certain types of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other cancers.
Tell your health care team if you have or had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have / had:
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Heart problems including irregular heartbeats, or problems like fainting
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Liver or kidney problems,
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Bone fractures, or
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Any allergies.
This drug contains a small amount of lactose. If you cannot tolerate 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.
You will have a blood test to check for hepatitis B before starting treatment. See the Hepatitis B and Cancer Medications pamphlet for more information.
Talk to your health care team about:
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How this medication may affect your sexual health.
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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 at least 5 weeks after your last dose. Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.
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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 at least 3 months after your last dose. Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.
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Do not breastfeed while on this medication and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.
- This medication is usually taken once a day by mouth with or without food. Talk to your health care team about how and when to take your medication.
- You may need a mix of capsules of different strengths to get the right dose. Make sure you look at your capsules closely so that you take the right dose.
- Swallow whole. Do not open or dissolve the capsules.
- 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.
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If you forget to take a dose of your entrectinib:
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If it has been less than 12 hours from the missed dose, take the dose as usual. Then take your next dose at the normal scheduled time.
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If it has been longer than 12 hours, do not take the dose. Take your next dose at the normal scheduled time. Do not take extra (double up) to make up for the missed dose.
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If you vomit right after taking a dose, you may take the dose again.
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If you take too much of your 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.
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Will this medication interact with other medications or natural health products?
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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.
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Tell your health care team about all of your:
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prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications and all other drugs, such as cannabis/marijuana (medical or recreational)
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natural health products such as vitamins, herbal teas, homeopathic medicines, and other supplements
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Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
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What should I do if I feel unwell, have pain, a headache or a fever?
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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®)).
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Fever can be a sign of infection that may need treatment right away.
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If you take these medications before you check for fever, they may lower your temperature and you may not know you have an infection.
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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.
- 38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time
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:
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Ask your health care team about the right medication for you. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is a safe choice for most people.
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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.
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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.
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What to DO while on this medication:
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DO check with your health care team before getting any vaccinations, surgery, dental work or other medical procedures.
- DO talk to your health care team about your risk of getting heart problems after this treatment.
What NOT to DO while on this medication:
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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.
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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.
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DO NOT drive, operate machinery or do any tasks that need you to be alert if you feel dizzy or have blurred vision.
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Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.
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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.
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How to safely touch oral anti-cancer medications
If you are a patient:
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Wash your hands before and after touching your oral anti-cancer medication.
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Swallow each pill whole. Do not crush or chew your pills.
If you are a caregiver:
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Wear nitrile or latex gloves when touching tablets, capsules or liquids.
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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.
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Throw out your gloves after each use. Do not re-use gloves.
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Do not touch oral anti-cancer medications if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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What to do if oral anti-cancer medication gets on your skin or in your eyes
If medication gets on your skin:
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Wash your skin with a lot of soap and water.
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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.
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The following table lists side effects that you may have when getting entrectinib. 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 entrectinib.
Common Side Effects (25 to 49 out of 100 people) | |
Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
Fatigue What to look for?
What to do?
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 |
Constipation What to look for?
What to do? To help prevent constipation:
To help treat constipation:
Ask your health care team for the Constipation Pamphlet for more information.
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Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
Taste changes What to look for?
What to do?
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Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
Mild swelling What to look for?
What to do?
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Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
Dizziness What to look for?
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Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
Diarrhea What to look for?
What to do? If you have diarrhea:
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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) |
Nausea and vomiting (Generally mild) What to look for?
What to do? To help prevent nausea:
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Talk to your healthcare team if nausea lasts more than 48 hours or vomiting lasts more than 24 hours or if it is severe |
Cough and feeling short of breath What to look for?
What to do?
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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 |
Neuropathy (Tingling, numb toes or fingers) What to look for?
What to do?
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, or if you have severe pain or numbness |
Low neutrophils (white blood cells) in the blood (neutropenia) When neutrophils are low, you are at risk of getting an infection more easily. Ask your health care team for the Neutropenia (Low white blood cell count) pamphlet for more information. What to look for?
You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
What to do? If your health care team has told you that you have low neutrophils:
If you have a fever: If you have a fever, try to contact your health care team. If you are unable to talk to the team for advice, you must get emergency medical help right away. |
If you have a fever, try to contact your health care team. If you are unable to talk to the team for advice, you MUST get emergency medical help right away. |
Low platelets in the blood When your platelets are low, you are at risk for bleeding and bruising. Ask your health care team for the Low Platelet Count pamphlet for more information. What to look for?
What to do? If your health care team has told you that you have low platelets:
If you have signs of bleeding:
If you have bleeding that does not stop or is severe (very heavy), you must get emergency medical help right away.
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Talk to your health care team if you have any signs of bleeding. If you have bleeding that doesn’t stop or is severe (very heavy), you MUST get emergency help right away. |
Effects on your brain or nerves (how you think and move) What to look for? You may have:
What to do? If you have any of these symptoms, get emergency medical help right away. |
Get emergency medical help right away |
Less Common Side Effects (10 to 24 out of 100 people) | |
Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
Eye problems What to look for?
What to do?
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Contact your health care team as soon as possible (office hours) |
Headache; mild joint, muscle pain or cramps What to look for?
What to do?
Ask your health care team for the Pain pamphlet for more information.
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Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
Low blood pressure What to look for?
What to do?
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Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
Liver problems Your health care team may check your liver function with a blood test. Liver changes do not usually cause any symptoms.
If you have any symptoms of liver problems, get emergency medical help right away.
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Get emergency medical help right away |
Drowsiness (sleepiness) or trouble sleeping Your medication(s) may cause you to feel sleepy at times when you are usually awake, or cause trouble sleeping. It may get better once your body gets used to the medication or when your treatment ends. What to look for?
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 |
Low appetite What to look for?
Ask your health care team for the Loss of Appetite pamphlet for more information.
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Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
Rash; dry, itchy skin What to look for?
What to do? To prevent and treat dry skin:
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.
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Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
Mood changes What to look for?
What to do?
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 |
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:
- An irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting spells.
- Severe muscle cramping, or twitching, swelling in your joints or pain in your lower back
- Changes in urination (peeing) such as less urine than usual and weight gain that is not normal for you
- Severe or unusual bone pain especially in your back, hips and wrist. This may be a symptom of a bone fracture (broken bone).
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:______________________________________________
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Other Notes:
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March 2024 Updated “How will this medication affect sex, pregnancy and breastfeeding?“ section
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.