Dosage for Lumakras: What You Need to Know

If you have a certain type of lung cancer, your doctor might suggest Lumakras as a treatment option. It’s a prescription drug used to treat a type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults.

It’s specifically used to treat NSCLC:

• that’s locally advanced (spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues outside the lungs) or metastatic (spread to other areas in the body)
• that has the KRAS G12C gene mutation (abnormal protein in lung cells that helps cancer cells grow)
• in those who’ve received at least one type of systemic treatment (a type of treatment that travels through the bloodstream and affects the whole body)

Lumakras comes as a tablet you swallow and contains the active ingredient sotorasib. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It belongs to a group of drugs called RAS GTPase inhibitors.

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

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

Below is some general information about Lumakras and its dosages.

What is the form of Lumakras?

Lumakras comes as a tablet that you swallow.

What strength does Lumakras come in?

Lumakras is available in one strength of 120 milligram (mg).

What are the usual dosages of Lumakras?

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

The typical dosage of Lumakras is 960 mg (eight tablets) taken once per day. It’s best to take your daily dose around the same time each day. Your doctor will discuss your dosage and monitor you for side effects while you’re taking Lumakras. They’ll also check to be sure the drug is effectively treating your condition.

Is Lumakras taken long term?

Yes, Lumakras is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Dosage adjustments

Some people may need dosage adjustments when taking Lumakras. Your doctor will describe reasons why you may need a dosage adjustment before you begin treatment.

Dosage adjustments may be necessary if you have certain serious side effects from taking Lumakras. These include:

• serious liver problems
• lung problems, such as pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease
• serious nausea or vomiting
• serious diarrhea
• other serious harmful reactions

If you have any of the serious side effects shown above, your doctor will pause your Lumakras treatment. Once you’ve recovered, they may restart you at a lower Lumakras dosage of 480 mg (four tablets) once per day. Depending on how you do you with treatment at this dosage, you may continue at the lower dose.

But if you still experience serious side effects, your doctor may again pause your treatment until you recover. They may then restart Lumakras at the next lower dose of 240 mg (two tablets) taken once daily. They’ll monitor how you do with this dose. If the drug is working and safe, you’ll likely continue with this dosage. But if you still have serious side effects, they may permanently stop your Lumakras treatment.

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

• other conditions you may have, such as other lung problems or liver problems (see “Dosage adjustments” directly above)
• serious side effects
• other medications you’re taking (the timing of your dosing schedule may need adjustment)

You’ll take Lumakras tablets by mouth. For the usual 960-mg dose, you’ll swallow eight tablets with water. You can take Lumakras with or without food.

You should not crush, split, or chew the tablets. If you have trouble swallowing pills, place the tablets in 120 milliliters (mL)* of room-temperature water, stir, and drink the entire contents. The tablets won’t fully dissolve, but you should just swallow (not chew) what’s left. Then add another 120 mL of water to rinse the inside of the glass and drink that too to ensure you get the full dose. (You can read the full instructions from the manufacturer of Lumakras here.)

You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information and tips on swallowing pills. Or check out this article.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Lumakras, see this article.

*120 mL equals 4 ounces (oz)

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 provide medication labels that:

• have large print or use braille
• feature a code 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 Lumakras in an easy-open container. They may also have tips to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

If you miss your regular daily dose of Lumakras, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s been longer than 6 hours since your missed dose, then skip it and continue with your next scheduled dose. If you vomit your regular dose of Lumakras, do not take that dose again.

And don’t take two doses of Lumakras at once to catch up on a missed or vomited dose. This could cause serious side effects. If you’re concerned about your missed dose, call your doctor’s office.

If you need help remembering to take your dose on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

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

What to do in case you take too much Lumakras

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Lumakras. 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’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Lumakras for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you shouldn’t change your dosage of Lumakras without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Lumakras 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:

• Will my dose change if I have severe side effects from Lumakras?
• Would I need a different dose if I’m taking certain other medications with Lumakras?
• Would a lower dosage of Lumakras still work for my type of cancer?

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.