8 mins read

Overview: Zykadia is used to treat certain people with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is a kinase inhibitor that helps stop cancer cells from growing. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, and these side effects can sometimes be severe. Other serious side effects may include liver problems, lung inflammation, or heart rhythm problems. Tell your health care provider right away if you have yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes, a new or worsening cough or trouble breathing, have any changes in your heartbeat, or feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint. Keep all appointments with your health care provider, including for blood tests and heart checkups, while you are taking Zykadia.

Uses

What is Zykadia used for?

Zykadia (ceritinib) is commonly used to treat certain people with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Zykadia may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Zykadia work (mechanism of action)?

Zykadia is a type of medicine called a kinase inhibitor. Kinases are proteins in the body that send and receive signals to help cells grow and work properly. Some people with lung cancer have an abnormal form of a kinase called anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), which tells cancer cells to grow. Zykadia blocks ALK, which may help stop the cancer cells from growing and multiplying.

How is Zykadia supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Zykadia

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 150 mg oral tablets

How should I store Zykadia?

Zykadia should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Zykadia?

The most common side effects of Zykadia are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or other stomach and intestine problems (see below)
  • Tiredness
  • Decreased appetite 
  • Weight loss

There may be other side effects of Zykadia that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Zykadia?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Zykadia are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Zykadia may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Zykadia and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Stomach and Intestine Problems. Zykadia can commonly cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain, and these side effects can sometimes be severe. Taking Zykadia with food can help limit these side effects. If you are given medicines to prevent or treat these side effects, take them exactly as your health care provider tells you. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of these side effects that bother you or are severe.

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Zykadia. Keep all appointments for blood tests while you are taking this medicine. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
  • Easy bruising or bleeding

Lung Inflammation. Zykadia can cause inflammation in your lungs, also called interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis. This can be serious or even life-threatening. Get emergency help if you have new or worsening trouble breathing or shortness of breath. You may also have a cough, fever, or chest pain. 

Heart Rhythm Changes. Zykadia may cause a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people who are older, have other people in their family who have had these conditions, have low potassium or magnesium levels, or take medicines that can prolong the QT interval. Zykadia can also make your heart beat slower than normal (bradycardia). Keep all appointments to check your heart and blood pressure. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Feeling lightheaded, dizziness, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or easily tired 
  • Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a slow heartbeat or feeling of skipped heartbeats 
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

High Blood Sugar. Zykadia may increase your blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). Talk to your health care provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Keep all appointments with your health care provider to check your blood tests. Call your health care provider if you have the following symptoms of high blood sugar.

  • Thirstier than usual
  • Peeing more than usual
  • Increase in hunger
  • Tiredness
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Confusion
  • Fruity-smelling breath

Inflammation of the Pancreas (Pancreatitis). Zykadia may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Stop taking Zykadia and call your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis, including vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back or gets worse with eating.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Zykadia?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Zykadia.

  • Ceritinib
  • Zykadia
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Zykadia.

What should I know about Zykadia before using it?

Do not take Zykadia unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Zykadia with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Zykadia out of the reach of children.

If you throw up (vomit) after taking Zykadia, do not take an extra dose. Take your next dose at the regular scheduled time.

Keep all appointments with your health care provider, including for blood tests and heart checkups. This will help your health care provider make sure it is safe for you to take this medicine.

Zykadia can make your skin more sensitive to light from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. This is called photosensitivity. Exposure to this light can cause severe sunburns, blisters, and swelling. If you need to be in sunlight, wear sunscreen, a hat, and clothing that covers your skin.

If you can get your partner pregnant, you should use condoms while taking Zykadia and for three months after your last dose. See the Pregnancy section for more details.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Zykadia?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Zykadia is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Zykadia may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Zykadia, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Zykadia may cause harm to a fetus. Your health care provider may do a test to make sure you are not pregnant before starting Zykadia. If you can get pregnant, you should use effective birth control while taking Zykadia and for six months after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while you are taking Zykadia and for two weeks after your last dose. It is not known if Zykadia passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Zykadia?

For more information about Zykadia, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.zykadia.com or call them at 888-669-6682.

Interactions

Does Zykadia interact with foods or drinks?

Zykadia should be taken with food. This can help lower your risk of side effects. 

However, you should not eat or drink grapefruit or grapefruit juice while you are taking Zykadia. Grapefruit or grapefruit juice may increase levels of Zykadia in the body, which could increase your risk of side effects. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Zykadia, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer.

Does Zykadia interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Zykadia.

  • Any medicine that can cause QT prolongation, which is a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem
  • A beta-blocker, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
  • A calcium channel blocker, such as diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others) or verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or other conditions
  • Clonidine (Catapres-TTS and others), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat an irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • Any other medicine for your heart or blood pressure
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which are medicines used for fungal infections
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Warfarin, which is a blood thinner
  • A corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Zykadia, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Zykadia. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Zykadia?

If you or someone else has used too much Zykadia, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Zykadia?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.