Crizotinib (Oral Route)

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Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause swelling of the lungs (pneumonitis). Pneumonitis is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical attention. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have a cough with or without mucous, shortness of breath, troubled breathing, or a fever.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach; pale stools; dark urine; loss of appetite; nausea; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

This medicine can cause changes in the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects in some patients. Contact your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeats.

Cancer medicines can cause constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting in most people, sometimes even after receiving medicines to prevent it. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control these side effects.

This medicine may cause dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision, or other vision problems (e.g., flashes of lights, floaters, sensitivity of the eyes to light) . If any of these occur, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well. Check with your doctor if these visual changes occur. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Do not stop or change your dose without first checking with your doctor.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may change the amount of this medicine that is absorbed in the body.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (e.g., St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

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