Zanubrutinib

Generic name: Zanubrutinib
Brand names: Brukinsa
Dosage form: oral capsule
Drug class: BTK inhibitors

Usage of Zanubrutinib

Zanubrutinib is a chemotherapy drug used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These are blood cancers that affect B-lymphocytes, a, type of white blood cell that help you fight off infection. They occur when your body makes too many abnormal B-cells.

Zanubrutinib belongs to a class of drugs called kinase inhibitors. Zanubrutinib is a second-generation irreversible BTK (Bruton tyrosine kinase) inhibitor that works by blocking the action of a protein called Bruton's tyrosine kinase, which signals B-cells to grow and multiple. This stops cancer cells from multiplying in your body.

Zanubrutinib was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019.

Zanubrutinib side effects

Zanubrutinib may cause serious side effects, including:

Bleeding problems (hemorrhage) that can be serious and may lead to death. Your risk of bleeding may increase if you are also taking a blood thinner medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs or symptoms of bleeding, including:

blood in your stools or black stools (looks like tar)

pink or brown urine

unexpected bleeding, or bleeding that is severe or you cannot control

vomit blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds

cough up blood or blood clots

increased bruising

dizziness

weakness

confusion

change in speech

headache that lasts a long time

Infections that can be serious and may lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms.

Decrease in blood cell counts. Decreased blood counts (white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells) are common with zanubrutinib, but can also be severe. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests during treatment with zanubrutinib to check your blood counts.

Second primary cancers. New cancers have happened in people during treatment with zanubrutinib, including cancers of the skin or other organs. Your healthcare provider will check you for other cancers during treatment with zanubrutinib. Use sun protection when you are outside in sunlight.

Heart rhythm problems (atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter). Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following signs or symptoms:

your heartbeat is fast or irregular

feel lightheaded or dizzy

pass out (faint)

shortness of breath

chest discomfort

The most common side effects of zanubrutinib include:

decreased white blood cells

upper respiratory tract infection

decreased platelet count

bleeding

rash

muscle or joint pain

These are not all the possible side effects of zanubrutinib.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Zanubrutinib

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Zanubrutinib can harm your unborn baby. If you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare provider may do a pregnancy test before starting treatment with zanubrutinib.

Females should avoid getting pregnant during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of zanubrutinib. You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of zanubrutinib.

Males should avoid getting female partners pregnant during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of zanubrutinib. You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of zanubrutinib.

Tell your doctor if your are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if zanubrutinib passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with zanubrutinib and for 2 weeks after the last dose of zanubrutinib.

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How to use Zanubrutinib

The recommended dose of zanubrutinib is 160 mg orally twice daily or 320 mg orally once daily; swallow whole with water and with or without food.

Do not to open, break, or chew capsules.

In patients with severe hepatic impairment the dose of zanubrutinib should be reduced.

See full prescribing information for further details about zanubrutinib dosing.

What other drugs will affect Zanubrutinib

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking zanubrutinib with certain other medications may affect how zanubrutinib works and can cause side effects.

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