A-Z Indexes

Food

Health Guides

Health News

Acalabrutinib

Pronounced

"a-KAL-a-BROO-ti-nib"

Common brand names:

Calquence

Uses

This medication is used to treat certain types of cancer (such as mantle cell lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma - SLL, chronic lymphocytic leukemia - CLL). Acalabrutinib works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. It belongs to a class of drugs known as kinase inhibitors.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using acalabrutinib and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually two times a day (about 12 hours apart). Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not open, break, or chew the capsules.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Medications that decrease stomach acid may make acalabrutinib work less well. If you need to take an antacid, take it either 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medication. If you are taking an H2 blocker (such as ranitidine, famotidine), take acalabrutinib at least 2 hours before these medications. Avoid taking proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole, pantoprazole). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of serious side effects will increase.

Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the capsules.