CRIZALK 250MG CAPSULE

Introduction:

Crizalk 250mg Capsule consists of the active ingredient Crizotinib. It is prescribed to treat patients diagnosed with a type of lung cancer called Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Non small cell lung cancer is developed when the cancerous cells attack the lung cells that are responsible for secreting mucus and present in airways. This medicine is also used in the treatment of ALK positive large cell lymphoma, a type of blood cancer in children below 1 year of age.

Ensure with your doctor that your test reports are ALK positive as Criztonib Tablet is effective against the altered forms of ALK proteins when the patient does not respond to other anti-cancer therapies. ALK stands for anaplastic lymphoma kinase proteins. ALK genes occur in our body during the embryo stage and it is developed as cancer during the later stages when it is combined with another gene like EML-4. ALK-positive lung cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in non-smokers. 

Crizalk 250mg Capsule is intended for oral use only and it can be taken before or after the meal. If you are prescribed with antiemetic medications take it prior to this capsule. Avoid consuming grapefruit juice while you are on this treatment. Report to your physician in case of symptoms like yellowing of the skin, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, right side stomach pain, bleeding and bruising. If you have had any history of liver or lung or heart diseases inform your physician to avoid serious complications. It is important to monitor your liver parameters for the first two months of the treatment. It is crucial to discuss the effective contraceptive methods incase you are planning for pregnancy as this medicine causes harm to the baby.

Uses of Crizalk 250mg Capsule:

• Management of advanced-stage lung cancer
• Treatment of Non small cell lung cancer
• ALK-positive  or ROS1 positive lung cancer
• Refractory Systemic ALK-positive Large cell Lymphoma

How Crizalk 250mg Capsule works:.

Crizotinib is a type of targeted drug therapy and produces its action by inhibiting the tyrosine kinase, a protein that plays a role in cancer growth. This medicine works by inhibiting the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) enzyme and stops tumor growth by shrinking them.

Therapeutic Effect of Crizalk 250mg Capsule in lung cancer:

ALK proteins belong to the class of tyrosine kinase and it is found that few patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer have mutations in their ALK proteins. The mutation in ALK proteins leads to fusion with other genes such as EML-4 gene, this fusion of genes stimulates the cancer cell proliferation. Crizalk 250mg Capsule is indicated for its use in ALK-positive lung cancer. This medicine works by blocking the ALK proteins and ultimately decreases the multiplication of cancer cells that contains this gene mutation.

Interactions:

Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking or have taken before the treatment.

How to store Crizalk 250mg Capsule?

• Store Crizalk 250mg Capsule at room temperature not exceeding 25°C.
• Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.

References:

1. David Eric Gerber, ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group, ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT02201992 [Accessed on 30th Mar 2021], https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/search/v?id=NCI-2014-01507&r=1
2. Pfizer labs, US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on Jan 2021] [Accessed on 30th June 2022] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/202570s030lbl.pdf
3. Pfizer labs, European Medicine Consortium(emc), [Revised on Jan 2021] [Accessed on 30th June 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/rmm/1781/Document
4. Pfizer labs, Medication guide, [Revised on September 2021] ,[Accessed on 30th June 2022], https://labeling.pfizer.com/showlabeling.aspx?id=676&section=MedGuide#Effects
5. Anton Wellstein, Giuseppe Giaccone, Michael B. Atkins, and Edward A. Sausville, Pathway-Targeted Therapies: Monoclonal Antibodies, Protein Kinase Inhibitors, and Various Small Molecules, Goodman & Gilman’s Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 13th Edition, 2018, 1203-1236.

How to consume Crizalk 250mg Capsule: 

• Take the capsule as a whole without opening or dissolving it in water.
• Crizalk 250mg Capsule can be consumed either before or after the meal.
• Administer this medicine to children strictly under adult supervision.

Safety Advice:

Pregnancy: 

It is not safe to consume Crizalk 250mg Capsule while you are pregnant. Consult your doctor if you plan to become pregnant as it may harm the unborn baby.

Incase if you are planning for pregnancy, it is essential that you follow adequate contraceptive methods during the treatment or use effective contraceptive methods atleast for 45 days after the last dose.

Breastfeeding: 

Avoid breastfeeding during the treatment with Crizalk 250mg Capsule at least for 45 days after the last dose, as this medicine may cause harm to your baby

Liver: 

Crizalk 250mg Capsule could cause liver injury. So, if you are diagnosed with liver problems, consult your physician before taking this medicine as dose modification might be required.It is essential to monitor your liver parameter for the first 2 months of treatment

Kidney: 

Inform your physician if you have severe kidney impairment as Crizalk 250mg Capsule may not be safe for patient with severe kidney damage and it requires dosage adjustment.

Alcohol:

Consult your doctor to know if it is safe to consume alcohol during the treatment with Crizalk 250mg Capsule.

Driving: 

Exercise caution while driving during the treatment with Crizalk 250mg Capsule as this medicine might cause visual disturbances, dizziness, and tiredness, so avoid driving and operating machinery while taking this medicine.

Others: 

• Inform your physician before you take this medicine if you have heart abnormalities or any other illnesses.
• Discuss the effective contraceptive methods with your doctor, while consuming Crizalk 250mg Capsule.
• For males, it is advised to use contraceptive methods for 90 days after the final dose
• Report to your doctor if experience any changes in your bowel habits.
• If you are taking any antibiotics or medicines for treating seizures, or heart disease, inform your physician before starting Crizalk 250mg Capsule.
• This medicine is not recommended for elderly patients with systemic ALK-positive lymphoma.
• Avoid long-term exposure to sunlight or apply sunscreen lotion during the treatment as this medicine cause photosensitivity.
• Avoid consuming grapefruit in any form as this medicine may interfere with the drug's effectiveness.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.

The side effects of Crizalk 250mg Capsules are listed below:

Common: 

• Visual loss (Serious)
• Low heart rate accompanied by chest discomfort (Serious)
• Heart problems (Serious)
• Lung problems with infection (Serious)
• Swelling of the lungs (Serious)
• Breathlessness (Serious)
• Cough with or without mucus (Serious)
• Liver Impairment- yellowish discoloration of eyes and skin (Serious)
• Gastric-related problems- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (Serious)
• Fever
• Decrease in blood cell counts
• Numbness in legs
• Alteration of taste
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Inflammation in the esophagus
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swelling of ankles, hands
• Decreased appetite
• Anemia
• Muscle cramps
• Decrease in levels of male reproductive hormones
• Formation of cysts in kidney
• Fluctuation of blood sugar levels
• Electrolyte imbalance