This medication is used to treat certain cancers (mantle
cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia,
chronic lymphocytic leukemia, small lymphocytic lymphoma, follicular
lymphoma). Zanubrutinib belongs to a class of drugs known as kinase
inhibitors. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer
cells.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking zanubrutinib and each time you get
a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once or twice daily.
If you are taking the capsule form of this medication,
swallow the capsules whole with water. Do not open, break, or chew the
capsules.
If you are taking the tablet form of this medication, do
not crush or chew the tablets. Also, do not split the tablets unless they
have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow
the tablets with water.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response
to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your
doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including
prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal
products).
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice
while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may
do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this
medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each
day.
Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or
for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and
your risk of serious side effects will increase.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
tablets or capsules.
Diarrhea, muscle/joint pain, tiredness, dizziness, or
constipation may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell
your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
People using this medication may have serious side
effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor
has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side
effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your
risk.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check
your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are
high.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- easy bruising/bleeding
- fast/irregular heartbeat
- signs of liver disease (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't
stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark
urine)
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- black/bloody stools
- vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- pink/bloody urine
- confusion
- severe headache
- fainting
- shortness of breath
This medication may increase the risk of other cancers
(especially skin cancer). Limit your time in the sun. Use sunscreen and
wear protective clothing when outdoors. Consult your doctor for more
details.
This medication may lower your ability to fight
infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal)
infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away
if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go
away, fever, chills, cough).
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking zanubrutinib, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic
reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more
details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- bleeding/blood problems
- heart problems (such as irregular heartbeat)
- high blood pressure
- liver problems
Zanubrutinib can make you more likely to get infections
or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an
infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles,
flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for
more details.
Tell your health care professional that you are using
zanubrutinib before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact
with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine
inhaled through the nose).
To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured,
use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid
activities such as contact sports.
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana
(cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do
anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using zanubrutinib.
Zanubrutinib may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor should order a pregnancy
test before you start this medication. Women using this medication should
ask about reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for 1 week
after the last dose. Men using this medication should ask about reliable
forms of birth control during treatment and for some time after the last
dose. If you or your partner becomes pregnant, talk to your doctor right
away about the risks and benefits of this medication.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
tablets or capsules.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk.
Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not
recommended while using this drug and for at least 2 weeks after the last
dose. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
See also How to Use section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Other medications can affect the removal of zanubrutinib
from your body, which may affect how zanubrutinib works. Examples include
efavirenz, rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin), St. John's wort, drugs
used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among
others.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count,
liver function) should be done before you start taking this medication and
while you are taking it. Keep all medical and lab
appointments.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
you don't remember until the next day, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.
Your condition can cause complications in a medical
emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call
1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).