What are the side effects of lorlatinib?

Lorlatinib is a targeted drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with mutations in ALK (tyrosine kinase) and ROS1 (kinase). Although lorlatinib has shown significant efficacy in treating patients with lung cancer, like any drug, it can cause a range of side effects. The following are the main side effects that may occur with lorlatinib. Patients should pay close attention to them during use and report them to their doctors in a timely manner.

1. Nausea and Vomiting: Some patients may experience mild to moderate nausea and vomiting while taking lorlatinib. This is usually short-lived, but if the side effects are severe or last longer, patients should notify their doctor promptly.

2. Fatigue: Fatigue is one of the more common side effects of lorlatinib. The patient may feel weak, weak, or listless. This feeling may be more noticeable early in treatment but usually lessens over time. If fatigue persists or worsens, patients should report it to their doctor.

3. Headache: Some patients may experience headache after taking lorlatinib. This is usually mild to moderate, but dose adjustments or other interventions may be needed in individual cases. If the headache is severe or persistent, patients should consult their doctor for advice.

4. Hypertension: Some patients may experience an increase in blood pressure during use of lorlatinib. Therefore, blood pressure needs to be monitored regularly during treatment and appropriate interventions taken as needed. Patients should follow their doctor's recommendations for controlling high blood pressure while taking the medication.

5. Vision problems: Lorlatinib can sometimes cause vision problems, such as blurring or lack of clarity. Patients should remain alert during use and should notify their doctor immediately if they notice vision problems, especially severe cases.

6. Abnormal liver function: Some patients may develop abnormal liver function after taking lorlatinib, manifested as jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, etc. Doctors usually monitor patients' liver function regularly and may need to adjust the dose or take other measures if abnormalities appear.

7. Respiratory infections: Patients taking lorlatinib may be more likely to develop respiratory infections, such as colds or coughs. Patients should seek medical attention promptly when they feel symptoms to obtain appropriate treatment.

8. Nervous system side effects: Lorlatinib may cause some nervous system-related side effects, including dizziness, ataxia, etc. People with these symptoms should avoid activities that require a high level of alertness, such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery.

9. Electrocardiogram changes: Patients taking lorlatinib may show some changes on their electrocardiogram, so an electrocardiogram may be required before treatment. The doctor will evaluate whether the drug is suitable for use based on the test results and the patient's specific condition.

10. Other rare side effects: There are also some rare but possible side effects, including abnormal renal function, gastrointestinal bleeding, etc. If patients develop any unusual symptoms or experience abnormal sensations while taking lorlatinib, they should promptly report it to their doctor.

Patients should follow their doctor's advice while using lorlatinib and have their health monitored regularly. Report any uncomfortable symptoms to the doctor promptly so that the doctor can promptly adjust the treatment plan to ensure that the patient gets the best treatment effect while minimizing the impact of side effects.

Lorlatinib has been launched in China and is included in medical insurance. Patients can purchase it domestically, but the price is relatively high, about 10,000 to 20,000 yuan. Please consult the local hospital pharmacy for details. There are original lorlatinib drugs and cheaper generic drugs abroad. The cheaper ones are the original drug from Turkey, which costs more than 1,000 yuan, and the original drug from Hong Kong, China, which costs about 30,000 yuan. Generic drugs are mainly generic drugs from Laos and Bangladesh. The price is about several thousand yuan, and the ingredients of the original drugs and generic drugs are basically the same.