acalabrutinib maleate at a glance
Medicine class
Selective Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
Main uses
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and selected previously untreated or relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma in adults.
Administration
Swallow the tablet whole with water. It may be taken with or without food and must not be chewed, crushed, dissolved or divided.
Acid-reducing treatments
The tablet formulation can be taken with proton-pump inhibitors, H2-receptor antagonists or antacids.
What is acalabrutinib maleate used for?
It is licensed for adults with the following B-cell cancers:
Previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, used alone or with specified anticancer treatments.
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia after at least one previous treatment, used alone.
Previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma in people unsuitable for autologous stem-cell transplant, used with bendamustine and rituximab.
Relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma not previously treated with a BTK inhibitor, used alone.
How does acalabrutinib maleate work?
Acalabrutinib and its active metabolite irreversibly inhibit Bruton tyrosine kinase. This interrupts signals that malignant B cells use for survival, growth, movement and interaction with their surroundings.
acalabrutinib maleate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 100 mg
How to take acalabrutinib maleate
Take acalabrutinib exactly as directed by the specialist cancer team.
Swallow tablets whole with water.
Do not chew, crush, dissolve or divide them.
They may be taken with or without food.
Tell the cancer team before starting any new prescription, non-prescription or herbal product.
acalabrutinib maleate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Infections, including respiratory or urinary infections
- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort or constipation
- Headache or dizziness
- Muscle or joint pain
- Bruising or minor bleeding
- Tiredness or weakness
- Cough
- Rash
- Reduced blood-cell counts
- High blood pressure
Get urgent medical advice
- Major bleeding, including gastrointestinal or intracranial bleeding
- Serious bacterial, viral or fungal infection, including hepatitis B reactivation
- Severe reductions in blood-cell counts
- Atrial fibrillation or flutter
- Tumour lysis syndrome
- New primary cancers, particularly skin cancers
- Pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease in the relevant combination setting
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
acalabrutinib maleate in pregnancy
Pregnancy should be avoided during treatment. Human information is limited and animal studies indicate possible fetal risk; acalabrutinib should only be used during pregnancy when the woman's clinical condition requires it. Anyone who is pregnant, may be pregnant or is planning pregnancy should promptly discuss this with the specialist team.
acalabrutinib maleate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether acalabrutinib passes into human milk, and risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. Breastfeeding is not advised during treatment or for 2 days after the final tablet.
acalabrutinib maleate interactions
A specialist or pharmacist should check all medicines and herbal products because acalabrutinib is affected by CYP3A and may alter exposure to some other treatments.
Strong CYP3A/P-gp inhibitors, including clarithromycin, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole and ritonavir
They can markedly increase acalabrutinib exposure and toxicity; concurrent use should generally be avoided and managed by the cancer team.
Strong CYP3A inducers, including rifampicin, carbamazepine and phenytoin
They can substantially reduce acalabrutinib exposure and may reduce effectiveness, so concurrent use should be avoided.
St John's wort
It can unpredictably reduce acalabrutinib exposure and should be avoided.
Common questions about acalabrutinib maleate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What cancers is acalabrutinib maleate used to treat?
It is licensed for adults with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and specified previously untreated or relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma.
Can the tablets be taken with food?
Yes. They may be taken with or without food.
Can the tablets be crushed or split?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.