If you have a certain kind of lung cancer, your doctor may recommend treatment with Alecensa.

Alecensa is a prescription drug used in adults to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is metastatic. The NSCLC must also have a certain kind of mutation.

For details about this use of the drug, see the “Is Alecensa used for lung cancer?” section below.

Alecensa basics

The active ingredient in Alecensa is alectinib. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. It comes as capsules that you swallow. Alecensa isn’t available as a generic drug.

Keep reading to learn more about Alecensa, including its side effects, price, dosage, and more.

Like most drugs, Alecensa may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Alecensa may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

For more details about the side effects of Alecensa, see this article. Your doctor or pharmacist can also tell you more about the potential side effects of Alecensa. And they can suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects that Alecensa can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Alecensa’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Alecensa that have been reported include:

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Alecensa can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Alecensa, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Alecensa that have been reported include:

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Side effect focus

Learn more about some of the side effects Alecensa may cause.

Breakdown of healthy red blood cells

While rare, it’s possible for treatment with Alecensa to cause breakdown of healthy red blood cells. This is referred to as hemolytic anemia. It’s not known exactly how often this side effect happened in studies of the drug.

Red blood cells help carry oxygen from your lungs to your heart and throughout your entire body. With hemolytic anemia, red blood cells are destroyed faster than they’re made. This can cause your levels of red blood cells to become too low.

Symptoms of hemolytic anemia can include:

What might help

Contact your doctor if you think you’re having symptoms of hemolytic anemia. They’ll likely temporarily pause Alecensa treatment and have you get blood tests to check for this side effect.

If you have hemolytic anemia, your doctor can suggest ways to treat it. When your red blood cell count returns to healthy levels, they may have you start taking Alecensa again at a lower dose. But they may also recommend that you permanently stop Alecensa treatment, even if your hemolytic anemia goes away.

Muscle aches or pain

Taking Alecensa can cause muscle aches or pain. This side effect was common in studies of the drug. In rare cases, muscle pain that results from taking Alecensa can be severe.

Alecensa can also cause other muscle problems besides pain, such as weakness and tenderness.

What might help

During your first month of taking Alecensa, your doctor will have you get blood tests at least once every 2 weeks. They’ll be checking levels of a certain substance that can be a warning sign for muscle pain. You’ll likely continue to have these tests occasionally during Alecensa treatment.

If you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness while taking Alecensa, contact your doctor. They may have you temporarily stop taking Alecensa. And they’ll likely decrease your dose of the drug when you resume taking it.

If you continue to have muscle pain despite the lower dose, your doctor will likely have you permanently stop taking the drug.

Liver problems

Treatment with Alecensa can cause liver problems. In studies of Alecensa, there were a few reports of liver damage in people who took the medication.

Alecensa may cause high levels of liver enzymes (proteins that aid chemical changes) in your blood. It may also cause high levels of bilirubin (blood cells that are broken down). This doesn’t cause symptoms in most people and usually isn’t serious.

High levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin can be a sign of liver damage or that your liver isn’t working correctly.

Symptoms of liver problems caused by Alecensa can include:

Liver problems are most likely to occur during your first 3 months of treatment with Alecensa. But this side effect can occur at any time during treatment. In rare instances, people have stopped taking Alecensa due to liver problems.

What might help

While you’re taking Alecensa, your doctor will have you get blood tests, including some that help check for liver problems. They’ll order these tests every 2 weeks during your first 3 months of treatment. Then they’ll order these tests once a month and as needed.

If you have symptoms or blood test results showing liver problems, your doctor may temporarily stop your Alecensa treatment. Then they may have you resume taking the drug at a lower dose. Or they may have you permanently stop taking Alecensa.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Alecensa. While allergic reaction was not reported in studies of Alecensa, it can still happen.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Alecensa. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. To find current prices for Alecensa in your area, visit WellRx.com.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the Alecensa manufacturer’s website to see if it has support options.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Alecensa that’s right for you. Below are commonly prescribed dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

For more details about Alecensa’s dosage, see this article.

Form and strength

Alecensa comes as capsules that you swallow. These capsules are available in one strength: 150 milligrams (mg).

Recommended dosages

The recommended dosage of Alecensa for treating non-small cell lung cancer is 600 mg (four capsules) taken twice each day. You should take this medication with food.

Questions about Alecensa’s dosage

Below are answers to some common questions about Alecensa’s dosage.

  • What if I miss a dose of Alecensa? If you miss a dose of Alecensa, simply skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take more than two doses of Alecensa at once.
  • How long will I need to take Alecensa? Will I need to take it long term? If you and your doctor agree that Alecensa is safe and working for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
  • How long does Alecensa take to work? Alecensa begins working as soon as you take a dose. But you won’t “feel” the drug working. Your doctor can discuss with you whether Alecensa is working for you.

Alecensa is a prescription drug used in adults to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is metastatic and anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK-positive). Lung cancer that is metastatic has spread beyond the lungs to other parts of the body.

ALK-positive means the cancer cells have a mutation (change) in the ALK gene. This mutation sends signals that cause cells in the lungs to grow too quickly. These cells are cancerous, and they can spread to areas of the body outside of the lungs. Having this mutation is a common cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked cigarettes or used tobacco.

Before prescribing Alecensa, your doctor will check whether your NSCLC is ALK-positive.

NSCLC is the most common kind of lung cancer. Symptoms can include:

Alecensa treats ALK-positive NSCLC by blocking the activity of the ALK gene mutation. This helps stop the cancer from growing.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Alecensa.

How does Alecensa work?

How a drug works is referred to as its mechanism of action.

Alecensa’s mechanism of action involves blocking the activity of a certain gene mutation. A mutation in the ALK gene results in it sending signals that cause cells in your lungs to grow too quickly. These cells are cancerous, and they can spread to areas of the body outside of the lungs. By blocking the activity of this mutation, Alecensa helps stop the cancer from growing.

For Alecensa to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) effectively, it must have the ALK gene mutation. This is referred to as being ALK-positive. Before prescribing Alecensa, your doctor will check whether your NSCLC is ALK-positive.

To learn more about how Alecensa works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How long does Alecensa work?

How long Alecensa works to effectively treat certain kinds of NSCLC can vary from person to person.

In studies, Alecensa remained effective for nearly 26 months in many people taking the drug to treat ALK-positive, metastatic NSCLC. (For more information about this use of the drug, see the “Is Alecensa used for lung cancer?” section above.)

If you have more questions about how long Alecensa works to treat lung cancer, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Alecensa cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. Long-term side effects refer to side effects that start while you’re taking a drug and continue for a long time, even after you stop taking the drug.

Long-term side effects reported by people who took Alecensa in studies include:

If you’d like to learn more about long-term side effects Alecensa may cause, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Important things to discuss with your doctor when considering treatment with Alecensa include your overall health and any medical conditions you may have. You should also discuss any medications you take. This information will help your doctor determine whether Alecensa is the right treatment option for you.

These factors and others are described below in more detail.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Alecensa, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter kinds. Also, describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Alecensa.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Alecensa can interact with several kinds of drugs. These drugs include:

This list does not contain all kinds of drugs that may interact with Alecensa. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with Alecensa.

Warnings

Alecensa may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Alecensa. Factors to consider include those in the list below.

  • Lung problems besides lung cancer. Alecensa can cause lung problems. If you have lung problems other than lung cancer, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Alecensa may worsen your condition. You may also be at higher risk of developing new lung problems. Tell your doctor about any lung problems you have. This will help them determine whether Alecensa is safe for you to take.
  • Liver problems. Alecensa treatment can harm your liver. If you already have a liver problem, such as hepatitis, you may have a higher risk of this side effect. Depending on the severity of your liver problems, your doctor may recommend that you take a lower dose of Alecensa.
  • Slow heart rate. Treatment with Alecensa can slow your heart rate, which can be serious in rare cases. If you already have a slow heart rate, Alecensa may not be safe for you to take. Your doctor can determine whether taking Alecensa is safe for you.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Alecensa or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Alecensa. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Alecensa and alcohol

It’s not known whether it’s safe to drink alcohol while taking Alecensa.

Both Alecensa and alcohol can cause liver problems, including liver damage. Alcohol can also raise your risk of, or worsen, other side effects Alecensa may cause, including:

  • diarrhea
  • low energy
  • mouth sores
  • nausea or vomiting
  • weight gain

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe for you to consume alcohol during Alecensa treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Your doctor will likely recommend that you don’t take Alecensa while pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you can become pregnant or have a sexual partner who can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control while taking Alecensa.

If you’re female* and can become pregnant, you should continue taking birth control at least 1 week after your last Alecensa dose.

If you’re male and have a partner who can become pregnant, you both should use birth control. You and your partner should continue using birth control at least 3 months after stopping Alecensa treatment.

If you’re planning to breastfeed, it’s recommended that you avoid doing so for at least 1 week after taking your last Alecensa dose.

If you have questions about pregnancy or breastfeeding and Alecensa, talk with your doctor.

* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Your doctor will explain how you should take Alecensa. They will also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Taking Alecensa

Alecensa comes as capsules that you swallow. You’ll likely take four capsules twice each day.

Accessible medication containers and labels

If it’s hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text into audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Also, if you’re having trouble opening your medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to put Alecensa in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also recommend tools to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

Questions about taking Alecensa

Below are answers to some common questions about taking Alecensa.

  • Can Alecensa be chewed, crushed, or split? No, do not chew, crush, or split Alecensa capsules. You also should not open the capsules. They’re meant to be swallowed whole. If you have trouble swallowing pills, check out this article. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for tips that may make it easier to take your medication.
  • Should I take Alecensa with food? Yes, you should take your Alecensa doses with food.
Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Alecensa and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

  • Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
    • How will Alecensa affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
  • If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

Do not take more Alecensa than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.

What to do in case you take too much Alecensa

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Alecensa. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Before you begin taking Alecensa to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), talk with your doctor. Learning more about the drug can help you feel comfortable with the risks and benefits of taking it. Here are a few questions you might want to ask to help you get started:

  • What should I know about treatments other than Alecensa for my condition?
  • How will I know if Alecensa is working for me?
  • Do any of my medical conditions or medications I take put me at higher risk of side effects if I take Alecensa?
  • If I have side effects from Alecensa, will you lower my dosage of the drug?

For more information about NSCLC treatments, see these articles:

Q:

What should I do if I vomit after taking a dose of Alecensa?

Anonymous

A:

It’s possible for you to vomit after taking a dose of Alecensa. In studies of this drug, vomiting was a reported side effect, although it wasn’t common.

If you vomit after taking a dose of Alecensa, do not take another dose immediately. Simply take your next dose at its regularly scheduled time.

If you experience vomiting from taking Alecensa that’s bothersome, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to ease this side effect.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.