All About Lumakras

What are Lumakras’s side effects?

Like most drugs, Lumakras may cause mild or serious side effects (also known as adverse effects). The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Lumakras 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

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Lumakras. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

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

Mild side effects of Lumakras that have been reported include:

• diarrhea or constipation
• muscle or joint pain
• nausea or vomiting
• fatigue (low energy)
• cough
• abdominal pain
• decreased appetite
• skin rash
• swelling, such as in your arms, legs, eyes, or testicles
• mild allergic reaction*

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.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Serious side effects

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

Serious side effects that have been reported with Lumakras include:

• liver problems
• low levels of white or red blood cells
• severe diarrhea
• severe muscle or bone pain
• heart problems, including heart failure or heart attack
• stomach ulcers
• lung problems
• serious infections, such as pneumonia
• low level of calcium or sodium in the blood
• severe allergic reaction†

† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Lumakras.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

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 Lumakras. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

What is Lumakras’s dosage?

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

Form and strengths

Lumakras is available as an oral tablet in two strengths: 120 milligrams (mg) and 320 mg.

Recommended dosage

To treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), your doctor will likely prescribe a dose of 960 mg taken once per day. This means you’ll take three 320-mg tablets or eight 120-mg tablets once per day.

To learn more about Lumakras’s dosage, see this article.

Questions about taking Lumakras

Below are some common questions about taking Lumakras.

• Can Lumakras be chewed, crushed, or split? No, you shouldn’t chew, crush, or split Lumakras tablets. You should swallow them whole. If you have trouble swallowing pills, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
• Should I take Lumakras with food? You can take your dose of Lumakras with or without food.
• Is there a best time of day to take Lumakras? Lumakras can be taken at any time of the day, but it’s best to take it around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent level of the drug in your body, which helps Lumakras work effectively.
• What if I miss a dose of Lumakras? If you miss a dose of Lumakras and it’s been 6 hours or fewer since you were supposed to take it, take your dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s been more than 6 hours since you were supposed to take it, skip the missed dose. In this case, take your next dose the following day at its usual time. You should not take two doses of Lumakras at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects. If you miss a dose of Lumakras and aren’t sure when to take your next dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Will I need to use Lumakras long term? Yes, you’ll probably take Lumakras long term to treat your NSCLC. You’ll likely continue taking the drug until your cancer gets worse or you experience bothersome side effects and want to end your treatment. Talk with your doctor to determine the best treatment plan for you.
• How long does Lumakras take to work? Lumakras begins to work after you take your first dose. But it may take weeks for the drug to start having an effect on your NSCLC. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel it working in your body. Your doctor will order tests throughout your treatment to check whether Lumakras is working to treat your condition.

Overdose

Do not take more Lumakras than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to negative effects.

What to do in case you take too much Lumakras

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Lumakras. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison 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.

What is Lumakras used for?

Lumakras is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults. Specifically, this medication can be used if your NSCLC is both:

• caused by a mutation (atypical change) to the KRAS gene called G12C
• locally advanced or metastatic*

* “Locally advanced” means the cancer has spread to at least one other part of the body near the lungs. “Metastatic” means the cancer has spread to other areas of the body outside the lungs.

In addition, doctors typically only prescribe Lumakras if you’ve already tried another systemic treatment for your cancer that didn’t work. A systemic treatment is one that works throughout your body.

Lumakras works to treat NSCLC by stopping the growth of cancer cells. To learn more, talk with your doctor.

Note: Lumakras received accelerated approval from the FDA to treat NSCLC. This means that the drug was approved before studies of the drug were completed. In some cases, the FDA grants accelerated approval if there aren’t many other treatment options available for a condition. Once all studies are complete, the FDA will make a decision about whether to fully approve Lumakras.

What does Lumakras cost?

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Lumakras. What you’ll pay for Lumakras may depend on several things, including your treatment plan.

Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:

• Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks* to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Lumakras when using coupons from the site.
• Savings program: If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A program called Amgen Assist 360 may also be available.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline. Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

What are some frequently asked questions about Lumakras?

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Lumakras.

How does Lumakras work?

Lumakras can be used to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Specifically, this medication can be used if the cancer has a certain mutation (atypical change) to the KRAS gene.

Everyone has the KRAS gene. But in people with a mutation, atypical proteins are created that help cancer cells grow quickly. Lumakras works to treat NSCLC by stopping the growth of these cancer cells.

If you have other questions about how Lumakras works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is Lumakras used for pancreatic cancer?

Lumakras is not FDA-approved to treat pancreatic cancer. But your doctor may prescribe it off-label for this use. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

One study indicated that Lumakras may be an effective treatment option for people with pancreatic cancer. But more studies are needed to confirm whether Lumakras is an effective treatment for pancreatic cancer.

To learn more about treatment options for pancreatic cancer, including Lumakras, talk with your doctor.

Does Lumakras cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. Long-term side effects include those that may start at any time you’re taking a drug, even if you’ve taken it for a long time. It also includes side effects that may not go away, even after you stop taking the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported in studies of Lumakras include:

• liver problems
• heart problems
• stomach ulcers
• lung problems

Talk with your doctor to learn more about possible side effects of Lumakras and how long they may last.

Similar drugs

Other drugs are available that can treat non-small cell lung cancer. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Lumakras, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.

The following drugs are similar to Lumakras:

• nivolumab (Opdivo)
• selpercatinib (Retevmo)
• adagrasib (Krazati)
• pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

What should be considered before taking Lumakras?

Below is important information you should consider before taking Lumakras.

Interactions

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

Lumakras can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Before taking Lumakras, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Drug interactions

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Lumakras. This list doesn’t contain all drugs that may interact with Lumakras. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Other interactions

Alcohol isn’t known to interact with Lumakras. It’s likely safe to consume alcohol while taking Lumakras.

If you have questions about consuming alcohol with Lumakras, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Lumakras during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor before starting Lumakras treatment.

It may not be safe to take Lumakras while breastfeeding. It isn’t known whether the drug can pass into breast milk. But because of the potential for side effects in a child who’s breastfed, your doctor will likely recommend that you do not take Lumakras while breastfeeding.

Your doctor will likely recommend that you wait at least 1 week after your last dose of Lumakras before breastfeeding.

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

Birth control

If you’re able to become pregnant, your doctor may recommend using a form of birth control during your Lumakras treatment. Talk with your doctor about your birth control needs during your Lumakras treatment.

Warnings

Lumakras can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Lumakras is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Lumakras. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

• lung problems
• liver problems
• previous allergic reaction to Lumakras
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding