Are there any side effects of taking brigatinib?

As a lung cancer treatment drug targeting specific mutations, brigatinib has significant efficacy, but it may also be associated with some side effects.

To be clear, any drug may cause side effects, and brigatinib is no exception. However, the size and severity of side effects vary from person to person and depend on a variety of factors, such as individual differences, drug dosage and duration of use.

According to publicly released information, common side effects of brigatinib include gastrointestinal discomfort, pulmonary symptoms, abnormal liver function, etc. Gastrointestinal discomfort: About30% of patients may experience symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting. These symptoms are usually mild and can be relieved with medication or dietary changes. For example, choosing small and frequent meals, avoiding spicy, fried or irritating foods, and increasing the intake of fiber foods can help reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.

Pulmonary symptoms: About10% of patients may develop interstitial lung disease, manifesting as cough, dyspnea, etc. This is a relatively serious side effect that requires close monitoring. Once relevant symptoms appear, you should seek medical treatment immediately and handle it according to the doctor's advice.

Abnormal liver function: Approximately15% of patients may have elevated liver enzymes. Therefore, liver function needs to be monitored regularly during treatment to ensure that the drug does not cause irreversible damage to the liver.

In addition, brigatinib may cause other less common side effects, such as anemia, neutropenia, skin rash, hyperglycemia, and fatigue. Most of these side effects are mild to moderate, but still require close attention.

References:

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/medications/adult/brigatinib