If you have a certain kind of lung cancer, your doctor might suggest Alunbrig as a treatment option for you.

Alunbrig is a prescription drug that’s used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that’s metastatic in adults. The NSCLC must be anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+).

The active ingredient in Alunbrig is brigatinib. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

This article describes the dosages of Alunbrig, as well as its strengths and how to take the drug. To learn more about Alunbrig, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Alunbrig’s usual dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when taking Alunbrig, always take the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

The information below lists common dosages of Alunbrig.

What is Alunbrig’s form?

Alunbrig comes as tablets that you swallow.

What strengths does Alunbrig come in?

Alunbrig comes in the following strengths:

  • 30 milligrams (mg)
  • 90 mg
  • 180 mg

What are the usual dosages of Alunbrig?

Usually, your doctor will have you start taking a low dosage of Alunbrig. Then they’ll adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

For treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that’s anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+) and metastatic, you’ll likely start with 90 mg of Alunbrig once each day. You’ll take this dosage for 7 days.

If Alunbrig is working well for you, your doctor will increase your dosage to 180 mg once each day. You’ll take this dose for as long as the drug is working effectively and safely for treating your condition.

If you stop treatment for 14 days or more, your doctor will have you restart the medication at the 90-mg dose. You’ll take this lower dose once each day for 7 days. Then they’ll increase the dose back to 180 mg once each day.

Is Alunbrig prescribed long term?

Yes, Alunbrig may be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine Alunbrig is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll take it long term.

Your doctor will monitor you while you’re taking Alunbrig to see how it’s working to treat your form of lung cancer. They’ll discuss how long you may need to take the medication.

Dosage adjustments

People who have certain medical conditions may need dosage adjustments for Alunbrig. Let your doctor know about any health conditions you have. This helps them determine the right dosage of the drug for you.

Examples of conditions that may affect your dosage include:

If you have questions about whether your dosage of Alunbrig needs adjusting, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

The dosage of Alunbrig you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

  • other medications you may be taking
  • other conditions you may have (see “Dosage adjustments” under “What is Alunbrig’s dosage?”)
  • how your body responds to treatment with Alunbrig

Always let your doctor know about any health conditions you have as well as medications and over-the-counter products you take. These factors can affect your dosage of Alunbrig.

You’ll take Alunbrig by swallowing the tablets whole with water. Do not chew, break, or crush the tablets. If you have trouble swallowing pills, see this article for some helpful tips.

Try to take your dose around the same time each day. This helps to keep a consistent level of Alunbrig in your body.

You can take Alunbrig with or without food. But avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice with Alunbrig. Grapefruit can raise the Alunbrig level in your blood, which may increase your risk of side effects.

For information on Alunbrig expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

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

  • have large print or use braille
  • feature a code that you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Alunbrig in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also have some tips that can help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

If you miss a dose of Alunbrig, take your usual dose at the next regularly scheduled time.

If you vomit up a dose, do not take an extra dose right then. Instead, take your usual dose at the next regularly scheduled time.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Alunbrig on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

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

What to do in case you take too much Alunbrig

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Alunbrig. 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, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Alunbrig for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Alunbrig without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Alunbrig exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Would you adjust my dosage of Alunbrig if I’m taking certain other medications?
  • Will lowering my dosage help lower my risk of side effects?
  • Can my dosage change long term if I stop responding to treatment?

Q:

Would I need a dosage adjustment if I have high blood pressure?

Anonymous

A:

Yes, it’s possible. Increased blood pressure is a common side effect of Alunbrig. If you have high blood pressure, Alunbrig can worsen it.

Before prescribing Alunbrig, your doctor will discuss your health with you. This includes risks of increased blood pressure while taking Alunbrig.

If your doctor prescribes Alunbrig, they’ll first make sure your blood pressure is normal. They’ll also monitor your blood pressure carefully while you’re taking the medication.

If your blood pressure gets too high, your doctor will have you stop taking Alunbrig to treat this side effect. Then they may have you restart Alunbrig at the same dosage or a lower dosage. If Alunbrig still affects your blood pressure negatively, they may permanently stop your treatment with Alunbrig. In that case, they may suggest other treatments that are safer for you.

Your doctor can provide more information about dosage adjustments with high blood pressure.

If you have serious symptoms of high blood pressure during Alunbrig treatment, contact your doctor immediately. Examples include dizziness, headache, nosebleeds, chest pain, and vision changes. But if you think you’re experiencing a medical emergency, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

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.