Initial side effects of crizotinib - 1260418

quinnafrina
Posts:8

How long are patients usually on crizotonib before side effects start to emerge?

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Reply # - November 10, 2013, 07:33 AM

catdander
Posts:

Hello quinnafrina, Welcome to Grace. I hope you or yours is doing well on crizotonib and for a very long time. We have an excellent patient group forum thread that can answer most any question you have about crizotonib, if it's got an answer. Craig, a fab member knows so well the effects of this drug as he is taking it and is well versed about it. Craig, not to mention very generous with his understanding, subscribes to that thread so to get emails when new posts emerge (you can do that to for any thread on the forum). So if you were to ask a question on that thread he'd be sure to get it. FYI, before posting, please read through at least some of it so you're not repeating questions already answered.

I did a quick look I found the first mention of "side effects" and the answer to your question on the second page when Debra, aka double trouble writes, "...particularly during about the third week, which is when my onc. says the drug will have accumulated enough for side effects to show up. I plan to educate them about the potential side effects so that they know what to watch for, and know what to do if anything goes haywire. That post is here, http://cancergrace.org/topic/alk-or-ros1-nsclc-patient-group/page/2/#po…

Good luck to you or your loved one,
Janine

Reply # - November 10, 2013, 01:18 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

Quinnafrinna,

The leading side effects with XALKORI (crizotinib) is nausea,
typically most troubling in the first few days to weeks after starting it and then improving or completely resolving over time, and liver function test abnormalities seen typically over weeks. Overall, it tends to be a very well tolerated cancer treatment.

Good luck.

-Dr. West

Reply # - November 10, 2013, 04:22 PM

quinnafrina
Posts: 8

Thank you very much, Janine and Dr West. I have subscribed to the crizotinib patient forum thread as you suggested. Does that mean I will now be notified whenever a note is posted there?

My concern is for my son's mother-in-law, a delightful 53 year old (Korean) non-smoker who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, ALK mutation, with mets to the pleura and a rib, about 3 weeks ago. She is to begin treatment with crizotinib this coming wednesday. We are all very fond of my son's in-laws, regard them as immediate family, and want to do everything we can to support her and her family. As both she and her husband have limited English, we are also doing everything we can to help them navigate the path ahead. I am very grateful to have found this website!

Reply # - November 10, 2013, 04:43 PM

catdander
Posts:

Thanks Dr. West, I suppose the 3 weeks out Debra mentioned was the liver functions test. I hope I've not caused confusion.

Yes quinnafrina you'll get email alerts when new posts are added to the thread. You're very kind to be of so much help to the in laws. I hope she does well on crizotinib for a long time to come.

Don't hesitate to ask questions. If there criz or ALK related post them on that thread. If it's more generic a new thread in the new questions forum is appropriate.

Janine

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