Lorlatinib/lorlatinib usage and dosage

Lorlatinib/lorlatinib (Lorlatinib) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors are anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive on an FDA-approved test. Doctors will choose to use lorlatinib to treat patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer based on the presence of ALK positivity in tumor specimens. Due to the potential for severe hepatotoxicity, lorlatinib is contraindicated in patients taking strong CYP3A inducers.

The recommended dose of lorlatinib is 100 mg orally once daily with or without food until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs. Lorlatinib comes as a tablet that patients should swallow whole and take at the same time every day. Do not chew, crush, or split tablets. Do not ingest if tablets are broken, cracked, or incomplete. If a dose is missed, take the missed dose unless the next dose is due within 4 hours. Do not take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose. If vomiting occurs after taking this medicine, do not take additional doses but continue with the next scheduled dose.

If a patient experiences adverse reactions during treatment with lorlatinib, the doctor will adjust the drug dose according to the severity of the condition. The first dose can be adjusted to 75 mg orally once a day; the second dose can be adjusted to 50 mg orally once a day; patients who cannot tolerate 50 mg orally once a day should permanently discontinue use. If it is unavoidable to use it in combination with other drugs, the dosage of the drug needs to be adjusted under the guidance of a doctor. In patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance [CLcr] 15-<30mL/min), the oral dose of lorlatinib will be reduced to 75 mg once daily.