Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine is new or being used differently. Please report side effects. See the
full CMI for further details.
1. Why am I taking ALUNBRIG?
ALUNBRIG contains the active ingredient brigatinib. ALUNBRIG is used to treat adults
with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer.
2. What should I know before I take ALUNBRIG?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to brigatinib or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with ALUNBRIG and affect how it works.
4. How do I take ALUNBRIG?
Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush or dissolve the
tablets.
ALUNBRIG tablets can be taken with or without food.
5. What should I know while taking ALUNBRIG?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are taking ALUNBRIG.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
If you have any questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
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Things you should not do
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Do not stop taking ALUNBRIG, or lower the dosage, without checking with your doctor
first.
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Driving or using machines
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Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how ALUNBRIG affects you.
If you have any visual disturbance, feel dizzy or tired do not drive or use tools
or machines.
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Looking after your medicine
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Keep the medicine in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Common side effects: tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath when exercising, dizziness
and looking pale, passing large amounts of urine, excessive thirst and having a dry
mouth, difficulty sleeping, numbness or weakness of the arms and legs, numbness or
tingling or prickling sensation or weakness or pain in the hands or feet, change in
sense of taste, blurred or impaired vision, high blood pressure, abdominal pain, nausea,
vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, rash, itching, pain and swelling of joints, swelling
throughout the body, fever, decrease in appetite or weight loss, cold-like symptoms,
sensitivity to sunlight.
Serious side effects: lung or breathing problems, slow heartbeat, and new or worsening
symptoms of muscle problems
This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification
of new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get.
You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems .
Active ingredient(s):
brigatinib
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using ALUNBRIG. It does not take
the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using ALUNBRIG.
The information in this leaflet was last updated on the date listed on the final page.
More recent information on the medicine may be available. You should ensure that you
speak to your pharmacist or doctor to obtain the most up to date information on this
medicine. You can also download the most up to date leaflet from www.takeda.com/en-au.
Those updates may contain important information about the medicine and its use of
which you should be aware.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I taking ALUNBRIG?
ALUNBRIG contains the active ingredient brigatinib. ALUNBRIG belongs to a group of medicines called anti-neoplastic (or anti-cancer)
agents which are used to treat cancer.
ALUNBRIG prevents the activity of the ALK protein. This protein is known to be involved
in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
ALUNBRIG may slow down or stop the growth of your cancer. It may also help to shrink
your cancer.
ALUNBRIG is used to treat adults with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell
lung cancer. It is used if your cancer:
is ALK-positive – this means your cancer cells have a fault in a gene called anaplastic
lymphoma kinase (ALK)
is advanced or has spread to another part of your body (metastatic)
2. What should I know before I take ALUNBRIG?
Warnings
Do not take ALUNBRIG if:
you are allergic to brigatinib, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet; symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing
or difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the
body.
You are under the age of 18 years. Safety and effectiveness in children have not been
established.
After the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is damaged or shows
signs of tampering.
Check with your doctor if you:
Have had any of the following medical conditions:
lung or breathing problems
high blood pressure
a slow heartbeat
problems with your vision
sore or painful muscles
problems with your pancreas, kidneys or liver
high blood sugar
sensitivity to sunlight
take any medicines for any other condition
Have any allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. ALUNBRIG may be
harmful to an unborn baby when taken by a pregnant woman. You should not take ALUNBRIG
while you are pregnant.
If you are a woman who could become pregnant, use highly effective non-hormonal contraception
(birth control) during treatment, and for at least 4 months after taking the last
tablet.
If you are a male patient with a female partner who could become pregnant, use highly
effective contraception during treatment, and for at least 3 months after taking the
last tablet.
Talk to your doctor about the right methods of contraception for you and your partner.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. It is not known
whether brigatinib contained in ALUNBRIG passes into breast milk. It is not recommended
that you breastfeed while taking ALUNBRIG.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with ALUNBRIG and affect how it works. These include:
ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole: medicines to treat fungal infections
indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir: medicines to treat HIV infection
clarithromycin, telithromycin, troleandomycin: medicines to treat bacterial infections
St. John's wort: a herbal product used to treat depression
carbamazepine: a medicine to treat epilepsy, euphoric/depressive episodes and certain
pain conditions
phenobarbital, phenytoin: medicines to treat epilepsy
rifabutin, rifampicin: medicines to treat tuberculosis or certain other infections
digoxin: a medicine to treat heart weakness
dabigatran: a medicine to inhibit blood clotting
colchicine: a medicine to treat gout attacks
pravastatin, rosuvastatin: medicines to lower elevated cholesterol levels
methotrexate: a medicine to treat severe joint inflammation, cancer and the skin disease
psoriasis
sulfasalazine: a medicine to treat severe bowel and rheumatic joint inflammation
efavirenz, etravirine: medicines to treat HIV infection
modafinil: a medicine to treat narcolepsy
diltiazem, verapamil: medicines used to treat high blood pressure
bosentan: a medicine to treat pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs'
arteries)
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect ALUNBRIG.
4. How do I take ALUNBRIG?
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you how many tablets you need to take each day. This may depend
on your condition, whether you are taking any other medicines and whether you experience
side effects.
The usual dose of ALUNBRIG is one 90 mg tablet once daily for the first 7 treatment
days; thereafter, one 180 mg tablet once daily.
Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush or dissolve the
tablets. ALUNBRIG tablets can be taken with or without food.
The duration of treatment with ALUNBRIG varies, depending on the nature of your illness
and your individual response to treatment.
Follow the instructions provided and use ALUNBRIG until your doctor tells you to stop.
When to take ALUNBRIG
Take ALUNBRIG once a day at about the same time each day.
Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you
remember when to take it.
If you forget to take ALUNBRIG
ALUNBRIG should be used regularly at the same time each day.
If you miss your dose at the usual time, or if you vomit after taking a dose, skip
the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
This may increase the chance of getting an unwanted side effect.
If you take too much ALUNBRIG
If you think that you have taken too much ALUNBRIG, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while taking ALUNBRIG?
Things you should do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist
that you are taking ALUNBRIG.
Use highly effective contraception to prevent pregnancy while you are being treated
with ALUNBRIG.
When you are in the sun, wear a hat, protective clothing, sunscreen and lip balm. These will help to protect against potential sunburn.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon that you are taking this medicine.
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Your doctor will do blood tests and other tests from time to time to monitor your
progress and check for side effects. If necessary, your doctor may decide to reduce
your dose, temporarily interrupt your treatment or stop it altogether.
Call your doctor straight away if you
experience:
lung or breathing problems including shortness of breath or difficulty breathing,
cough and/or fever, especially within the first week of taking ALUNBRIG
slow heart beat (bradycardia) – symptoms can include chest pain, dizziness, light
headedness or fainting – or palpitations
new or worsening signs and symptoms of muscle problems, including unexplained muscle
pain that does not go away, tenderness or weakness
if you or your partner becomes pregnant while taking ALUNBRIG
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using ALUNBRIG.
Things you should not do
Do not stop taking ALUNBRIG, or lower the dosage, without checking with your doctor
first.
Do not use this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you
to.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.
Do not spend extended time in the sunlight during treatment and for at least 5 days
after your last dose.
Have any grapefruit products during treatment as they may change the amount of ALUNBRIG
in your body.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how ALUNBRIG
affects you.
ALUNBRIG may cause visual disturbances, dizziness or tiredness in some people.
Do not drive or use machines during treatment if such signs occur.
Looking after your medicine
Keep in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets
out of the package they may not keep well.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any
of them.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you
are taking ALUNBRIG.
Taking ALUNBRIG may cause serious lung related side-effects in some people, particularly
within the first week.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
Some of these side effects can only be found when your doctor does tests. These tests
could show a change in the liver, kidneys, levels of blood cells or changes in heart
rate or blood pressure.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What ALUNBRIG contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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30, 90 or 180 mg of brigatinib
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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lactose monohydrate
microcrystalline cellulose
sodium starch glycollate type A
hydrophobic colloidal silica anhydrous
magnesium stearate
OPADRY II White (PI 11376)
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Potential allergens
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Contains lactose.
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What ALUNBRIG looks like
ALUNBRIG 30 mg – white to off-white, round tablet, marked with a "U3" on one side.
(Aust R 299965)
ALUNBRIG 90 mg – white to off-white, oval tablet, marked with a "U7" on one side.
(Aust R 299968)
ALUNBRIG 180 mg – white to off-white, oval tablet, marked with a "U13" on one side.
(Aust R 299964)
The 30 mg, 90 mg and 180 mg strengths of ALUNBRIG are available in boxes of 28 tablets.
The one-month initiation pack contains 1 pack of 7 x 90 mg tablets and 21 x 180 mg
tablets. (Aust R 299966)
Who distributes ALUNBRIG
Takeda Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd
Level 39, 225 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: 1800 012 612
ALUNBRIG® is a Registered Trademark of ARIAD pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary
of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.
This leaflet was prepared in December 2022.