How to treat adverse reactions caused by larotrectinib

Introduction: Larotinib, like most powerful therapeutic drugs, may also cause a series of adverse reactions during the treatment process. Understanding these adverse reactions and their corresponding management strategies is crucial to ensuring patient treatment safety and improving quality of life.

Treatment of adverse reactions caused by larotrectinib

Abnormal liver function (increased aspartate aminotransferase AST and alanine aminotransferase ALT): Abnormal liver function is one of the most common adverse reactions in treatment. Patients should regularly monitor liver function indicators while taking the drug. Once AST or ALT are found to be significantly elevated, they need to communicate with their doctor in a timely manner. Mild to moderate elevations may not require discontinuation of the drug, but close monitoring and consideration of hepatoprotective drugs are required. If liver function damage is severe, larotrectinib may need to be temporarily or permanently discontinued and corresponding supportive treatment measures taken.

Hematological toxicity (anemia, neutropenia, leukopenia, lymphopenia): Hematological toxicity is another major type of adverse reaction of larotrectinib treatment, including anemia, neutropenia, leukopenia and lymphopenia. These reactions may lead to problems such as reduced immunity and susceptibility to infection. For mild anemia, it can be improved by adjusting diet and supplementing iron. For moderate and severe anemia, blood transfusion treatment needs to be considered. For leukopenia and lymphopenia, the risk of infection needs to be closely monitored, prophylactic antibiotics used if necessary, and leukocytosis drugs considered. When neutropenia is severe, larotrectinib treatment may need to be suspended until the blood count recovers before continuing.

Musculoskeletal pain and fatigue: Musculoskeletal pain and fatigue are common non-specific adverse reactions of larotrectinib, which may affect patients' daily life and treatment compliance. For mild pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or physical therapy can be used to relieve it; for moderate to severe pain, more powerful analgesics are required, and patients are encouraged to maintain an appropriate amount of exercise and good work and rest habits to reduce fatigue.

Electrolyte disorders (hypoalbuminemia, hypocalcemia): Hypoalbuminemia and hypocalcemia are also possible adverse reactions encountered during larotrectinib treatment. Hypoalbuminemia can be improved by supplementing high-quality protein and adjusting diet; hypocalcemia requires timely supplementation of calcium and vitamin D to maintain stable blood calcium levels.

Gastrointestinal reactions (constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting): Gastrointestinal reactions are one of the common side effects of anti-tumor drugs. For constipation, dietary fiber intake can be increased, laxatives or enemas can be used for treatment; diarrhea needs to be adjusted according to the severity of the diet, antidiarrheal drugs or the dose of larotrectinib needs to be adjusted. Nausea and vomiting can be relieved by using anti-vomiting medications and keeping a light diet.

Other common reactions (cough, dizziness, fever, abdominal pain): Although adverse reactions such as cough, dizziness, fever, and abdominal pain are less common than the above categories, they may also have a certain impact on the patient's life. For these symptoms, corresponding treatment measures need to be taken according to the specific cause, such as cough relieving, anti-vertigo, antipyretic, antispasmodic and analgesic, etc.