Zykadia (Ceritinib) for Lung Cancer

Overview
Zykadia is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors are positive for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) as detected by an FDA-approved test. Zykadia is also referred to by its drug name, ceritinib.

Zykadia is a member of a class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Zykadia is believed to work by inhibiting the activity of ALK, which is involved in the proliferation of cancer cells. This slows the growth of tumors.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Zykadia is taken orally as a capsule or tablet once daily with food.

Zykadia should be taken exactly as prescribed by a physician.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Zykadia lists common side effects including diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, fatigue, decreased appetite, and weight loss.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Zykadia include liver damage, abnormal heart rhythms, high blood-sugar levels, inflammation of the pancreas, fetal harm, and interstitial lung disease (scarring of the lungs).

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Highlights of Prescribing Information — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/...

Ceritinib (Oral Route) — Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ce...