Lorbrena (Lorlatinib) for Lung Cancer

Overview
Lorbrena is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors are ALK-positive. The FDA requires an approved test to detect ALK-positive tumors for eligibility for this treatment. Lorbrena is also known by its drug name, lorlatinib.

Lorlatinib is a kinase inhibitor that targets and blocks specific proteins known as kinases. These kinases promote cancer cell growth in ALK-positive NSCLC. By inhibiting these proteins, Lorlatinib slows down or stops cancer cell growth, helping manage the condition.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Lorbrena is generally taken orally in tablet form once daily Lorbrena should be taken exactly as prescribed by a health care provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Lorbrena include edema (swelling), peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage causing weakness or numbness, typically in hands and feet), weight gain, cognitive effects (memory or thinking issues), fatigue (extreme tiredness), dyspnea (difficulty breathing), arthralgia (joint pain), diarrhea, mood effects (such as mood swings or depression), hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol levels), hypertriglyceridemia (high triglyceride levels), and cough.

Rare but serious side effects may include hepatotoxicity (liver damage) when used with strong CYP3A inducers; central nervous system (CNS) effects such as seizures and psychotic effects; hyperlipidemia (high blood lipid levels); atrioventricular block (heart rhythm disorder); interstitial lung disease (lung tissue inflammation); pneumonitis (lung inflammation); hypertension (high blood pressure); hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels); and embryo-fetal toxicity (harm to an embryo, fetus, or unborn baby).

For more information about this treatment, visit:
Label — Lorbrena — Lorlatinib Tablet, Film Coated — DailyMed

Lorlatinib — MedlinePlus