If you’ve been diagnosed with a certain type of lung cancer, your doctor might suggest Alunbrig as a treatment option. Understanding the side effects of Alunbrig may help you determine if the drug is a good option for you.

Alunbrig is a prescription medication that’s used in adults to treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer that’s anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive.

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

Alunbrig comes as tablets that you swallow by mouth.

For more information about Alunbrig, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article on the drug.

Like other drugs, Alunbrig can cause mild to serious side effects. Keep reading to learn more.

Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during their Alunbrig treatment.

Examples of Alunbrig’s commonly reported side effects include:

These are just some of the more common side effects reported by people who took Alunbrig in studies. Keep reading to learn about other possible side effects of the drug.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Alunbrig may cause mild side effects. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Alunbrig include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop taking Alunbrig unless your doctor recommends it.

Alunbrig may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Alunbrig prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Alunbrig, visit MedWatch.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Some people may experience serious side effects during their Alunbrig treatment. Serious side effects that have been reported with Alunbrig include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Alunbrig, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after you take Alunbrig. But it’s not clear how often this side effect occurred in studies.

Below, find more information about some of the side effects that Alunbrig may cause.

Cough

Some people may develop a cough while taking Alunbrig. This was a common side effect in studies of the drug. In most cases, the cough is temporary. Still, a cough may be related to your condition or a symptom of an infection. If your cough is bothersome or doesn’t go away, call your doctor.

What might help

If you experience a mild cough while taking Alunbrig, try drinking water to stay hydrated. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for other suggestions about how to ease your cough.

If your cough is severe and you have other symptoms, such as a fever, chest pain, or shortness of breath, call your doctor right away. These may be symptoms of a more serious condition, such as pneumonia or pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs), which are possible serious side effects of Alunbrig.

Headache

Some people may experience headache while taking Alunbrig. This was a common side effect reported in studies. In most people, headaches are mild and temporary. But if you have serious headaches that don’t go away or interfere with your daily life, call your doctor.

Also, tell your doctor if you have chronic headaches or migraine or have had these conditions before. They can discuss whether Alunbrig is right for you.

What might help

If you have a mild headache, your doctor may recommend ways to manage it. This may include staying hydrated, eating meals at consistent times, and getting enough sleep. They may also suggest over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) to ease your symptoms. You shouldn’t take any OTC medications before you talk with your doctor. They can make sure these drugs won’t interact with any medications you’re taking.

If your headache is severe or doesn’t go away, call your doctor right away.

High blood pressure

Taking Alunbrig can cause hypertension (high blood pressure). This was one of the most common side effects in studies of the drug.

Hypertension often causes no symptoms. But severe hypertension may cause symptoms, such as:

What might help

If you’re prescribed Alunbrig, your doctor will check your blood pressure in the first week of treatment. Your doctor may also ask you to monitor your blood pressure at home. (To learn more, see the “Ask a pharmacist” section below.)

If your blood pressure is high, they may pause your treatment or adjust your dosage of Alunbrig. In cases of serious hypertension, you may need to stop taking Alunbrig and switch to a different treatment.

If you already have high blood pressure, tell your doctor. They can determine whether Alunbrig is safe for you.

Pneumonitis

Treatment with Alunbrig may cause pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs). This condition occurs when the air sacs in your lungs become swollen from exposure to an irritant. (In this case, the irritant is Alunbrig.)

Based on studies of the drug, pneumonitis may be more common during the first 7 days of treatment. But it may occur at any time during treatment.

Symptoms include:

Keep in mind that a cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath can also result from a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs). This is another rare but serious side effect of Alunbrig. If you have these symptoms, let your doctor know right away. They can determine whether the symptoms are related to pneumonitis, a pulmonary embolism, or something else.

What might help

Your doctor will monitor your lung function during your Alunbrig treatment to check for any signs of pneumonitis. They may need to pause your treatment or adjust your dosage. In some cases, you may need to stop taking Alunbrig and switch to a different treatment.

If you’re concerned about your risk of pneumonitis while taking Alunbrig, talk with your doctor.

Slow heart rate

Alunbrig may cause bradycardia (a slow heart rate). This was reported in studies of the drug.

Symptoms of bradycardia can include:

  • chest pain
  • dizziness
  • fatigue (low energy)
  • shortness of breath

What might help

Your doctor will monitor your heart rate during your Alunbrig treatment. If your heart rate is slow, they may need to pause your treatment or adjust your dosage. If it becomes unsafe for you to take Alunbrig, your doctor will have you switch to a different drug.

If you have questions about your risk of bradycardia while taking Alunbrig, talk with your doctor.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Alunbrig can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But it’s not clear how often this side effect occurred in studies.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms that you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Alunbrig, they’ll decide if you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms that you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Alunbrig, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Alunbrig treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dosage of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had it after starting that dosage
  • what your symptoms were
  • how they affected your daily activities
  • any other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Alunbrig affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Alunbrig may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. Before taking this drug, tell your doctor about all your health conditions. They can determine whether Alunbrig is safe for you. Below are some factors to consider.

  • High blood pressure. Alunbrig can raise your blood pressure. If you have hypertension, tell your doctor before you take Alunbrig. They’ll monitor your blood pressure during the treatment because Alunbrig could worsen your hypertension. If your blood pressure becomes too high, you may need to stop taking the drug.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Alunbrig or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.
  • Slow heart rate. Alunbrig may cause bradycardia (a slow heart rate).If you already have this condition, taking Alunbrig could make it worse. Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have bradycardia. They’ll determine if Alunbrig is safe for you. If they prescribe Alunbrig, they’ll monitor your heart rate carefully during the treatment. And if your heart rate becomes too slow, they may have you stop taking Alunbrig and switch to a different treatment.
  • Diabetes. Taking Alunbrig may cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). If you have diabetes, taking Alunbrig could worsen your condition. Your doctor can determine whether Alunbrig is safe for you. If you’re prescribed this drug, you may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more often. If your blood sugar levels get too high, you may need to stop taking Alunbrig and switch to a different drug.
  • Serious liver problems. It’s not known if Alunbrig is safe for people with severe liver disease. Before you take Alunbrig, talk with your doctor about any liver problems you may have. They can determine if Alunbrig is safe, and if so, whether your dosage needs to be adjusted.
  • Serious kidney problems. It’s unknown if Alunbrig is safe for people with severe kidney disease. Before starting the treatment, talk with your doctor if you have severe kidney problems. They can determine if Alunbrig is safe, and if so, whether your dosage needs to be adjusted.

Alcohol use and Alunbrig

It should be safe to drink alcohol during your Alunbrig treatment. But keep in mind that alcohol can harm your liver. And Alunbrig can cause high levels of liver enzymes, which could be a sign of liver damage.

Drinking alcohol during your Alunbrig treatment could raise your risk of liver damage or worsen any liver damage you may have.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much may be safe while you’re taking Alunbrig.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Alunbrig

Alunbrig is not safe to take during pregnancy. This is because the drug could cause harm to a fetus.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Alunbrig.

If you’re able to become pregnant, your doctor will give you a pregnancy test before they prescribe Alunbrig. You’ll also need to use birth control while taking the drug and for at least 4 months after your last dose.

Males* with a partner who can become pregnant should use birth control while they take Alunbrig and for at least 3 months after their last dose.

It’s also not safe to breastfeed while you take Alunbrig. It’s not known if the drug passes into breast milk, but if it does, it could cause serious side effects in a breastfed child. You shouldn’t breastfeed while taking this drug or for 1 week after your last dose.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about your options.

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

Alunbrig is a treatment option for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer that’s anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive.

You and your doctor can discuss the possible side effects of Alunbrig to determine if it’s right for you.

Here are some questions you may want to ask:

  • How long do mild side effects of the drug last?
  • Will other medications I take raise my risk of certain side effects of Alunbrig?
  • How can I manage common side effects of Alunbrig?

Q:

Will I need to monitor my blood pressure at home while I’m taking Alunbrig?

Anonymous

A:

It’s possible. If you have hypertension (high blood pressure) or have had it in the past, your doctor will determine whether Alunbrig is safe for you. They’ll also let you know if you need to monitor your blood pressure more often.

If your doctor prescribes Alunbrig, they’ll check your blood pressure after you start taking the drug. In certain cases, they may also have you monitor your blood pressure at home. If your blood pressure is high, they may lower your dosage of Alunbrig.

If you have seriously high blood pressure, your doctor may have you temporarily stop taking Alunbrig while they treat your hypertension. Once your blood pressure is well managed, you may be able to start your Alunbrig treatment again at the same dosage or a lower one. Or instead of restarting this treatment, your doctor may have you switch to a different drug.

Hypertension often causes no symptoms. But severe hypertension may cause symptoms such as:

Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of severe hypertension. But if you think you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

If you have questions about your risk of high blood pressure with Alunbrig or whether you’ll need to monitor your blood pressure during your treatment, talk with your doctor.

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

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.