ceritinib at a glance
Medicine class
Targeted anticancer treatment; anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor
Licensed use
ALK-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer in adults
How it is taken
By mouth with food; swallow whole with water
Food and drink
Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice
What is ceritinib used for?
Licensed uses include:
First-line treatment used alone for adults with ALK-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
Treatment used alone for adults with ALK-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer previously treated with crizotinib.
How does ceritinib work?
Some lung cancers contain an altered ALK gene that produces an overactive signalling protein. Ceritinib blocks ALK activity and downstream signals, helping to slow the growth and survival of ALK-dependent cancer cells.
ceritinib preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 150 mg
How to take ceritinib
Follow the oncology team's instructions and use the formulation supplied. Take ceritinib with food, consistently in relation to meals.
Swallow tablets or capsules whole with water; do not chew or crush them.
Do not alternate between taking it with food and taking it while fasting unless the specialist team changes the plan.
Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
If you vomit after taking it, do not take a replacement.
ceritinib side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal discomfort or pain, constipation, indigestion or swallowing discomfort
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Tiredness
- Rash
- Anaemia
- Changes in liver tests or blood creatinine
Get urgent medical advice
- New or worsening breathing symptoms, which may indicate pneumonitis
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or other signs of liver injury
- Fainting, palpitations or marked dizziness from heart-rhythm changes or a slow heartbeat
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain, which may indicate pancreatitis
- Marked thirst, frequent urination or confusion associated with high blood glucose
- Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhoea causing dehydration
ceritinib in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is very limited. Ceritinib should generally not be used during pregnancy unless specialist assessment concludes it is clinically necessary. People who could become pregnant should discuss highly effective contraception with their cancer team. Ceritinib may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
ceritinib while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether ceritinib or its metabolites enter human milk, and a risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. Cancer and maternity teams should weigh the benefit of breastfeeding against the need for treatment.
ceritinib interactions
Ceritinib has substantial metabolic and heart-rhythm interactions. The oncology team should review prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products.
Strong CYP3A inhibitors, including some azole antifungals, antivirals and macrolide antibiotics
They can substantially increase ceritinib exposure and toxicity.
Strong CYP3A inducers, including rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin and St John's wort
They can lower ceritinib exposure and potentially reduce its effect.
Medicines that prolong the QT interval
Combining them with ceritinib can increase the risk of serious abnormal heart rhythms.
Common questions about ceritinib
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is ceritinib chemotherapy?
It is a targeted anticancer treatment rather than conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. It blocks the ALK protein that drives some lung cancers.
Why must the cancer test ALK-positive?
Ceritinib targets abnormal ALK signalling, so a validated test is needed to identify tumours likely to respond.
Can ceritinib affect the heart?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.