Uses
What is Brukinsa used for?
Brukinsa (zanubrutinib) is commonly used for the following conditions.
- Mantle cell lymphoma, which is a type of cancer that affects your white blood cells
- Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, which is a type of cancer that affects your white blood cells
- Marginal zone lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer that affects your white blood cells
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), a type of cancer that affects your white blood cells
- Follicular lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects your white blood cells
Learn more about Treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma With Brukinsa.
Brukinsa may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does Brukinsa work (mechanism of action)?
Brukinsa is a bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. BTK is a protein that signals your cancerous white blood cells to grow and spread. Brukinsa works to stop this signal and stop your cancer cells from growing.
How is Brukinsa supplied (dosage forms)?
Brukinsa is available as an 80 mg oral capsule that is taken by mouth.
How should I store Brukinsa?
Brukinsa should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (two0 C to two5 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (one5 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of Brukinsa?
The most common side effects of Brukinsa are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Blood disorders (see below)
- Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
- Bleeding
- Muscle or joint pain
There may be other side effects of Brukinsa that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-one088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-two34-two345.
What are the serious side effects of Brukinsa?
While less common, the most serious side effects of Brukinsa are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Brukinsa may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Brukinsa and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Bleeding. Brukinsa can increase your risk of bleeding that may be dangerous and life-threatening. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of bleeding.
- Black or tarry-looking stools
- Pink or brown urine
- Unexpected or unexpected bleeding
- Vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- Coughing up blood
- Bruising
- Dizziness, weakness, confusion
- Change in speech
- Headache that lasts a long time
Infection. Brukinsa can increase the risk of infections, including serious infections that can be life-threatening. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection or any of the following symptoms.
- Burning or stinging when you pee
- Cough or coughing up blood
- Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
- Shortness of breath
- Diarrhea or stomach pain
- Weight loss
Blood Disorders. Brukinsa can cause changes in your blood tests including low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia), low neutrophil levels (neutropenia), and low red blood cell levels (anemia). Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider to have your blood checked. Stop using Brukinsa and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Frequent infection
- Unusual weakness or tiredness
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
- Headache
- Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Cancer. Brukinsa can cause a new cancer to develop, including cancers of the skin or other organs. Tell your healthcare provider about any new symptoms that you may get. Use sun protection when exposed to the sun.
Heart Rhythm Changes. Brukinsa may cause heart rhythm problems including atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular arrhythmia. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Fast, irregular, or skipping heartbeats
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort
Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Brukinsa. Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider to have your blood checked. Your healthcare provider may monitor your liver function before and while taking Brukinsa. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach or belly pain
- Fever
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Light-colored poop
- Dark-colored urine (pee)
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use Brukinsa?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Brukinsa.
- Brukinsa
- Zanubrutinib
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Brukinsa.
What should I know about Brukinsa before using it?
Do not chew, cut, or crush Brukinsa. Swallow the capsule whole with water.
Brukinsa can increase your chances of bleeding. Taking certain medicines with Brukinsa can make this worse. Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you are taking.
Do not take Brukinsa unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share Brukinsa with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep Brukinsa out of the reach of children.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Brukinsa?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Brukinsa is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- History of cancer
- Bleeding problems
- An infection
- Heart problems
- Liver problems, including a history of hepatitis B
Surgery. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a recent surgery or have any upcoming medical or dental surgeries. Brukinsa can increase your chances of bleeding. Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop Brukinsa depending on the type of surgery you recently received or are planning to receive.
Other Medicines and Supplements. Brukinsa may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Brukinsa, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. Brukinsa may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you are a woman, it is not recommended to get pregnant while taking Brukinsa and for at least one week after your last dose. It is recommended to use effective contraception (birth control, condoms, etc.) while taking Brukinsa and for at least one week after your last dose. If you are a man, it is not recommended to get your female partner pregnant while taking Brukinsa and for at least one week after your last dose.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if Brukinsa passes into breast milk. It is not recommended to take Brukinsa while you are breastfeeding and for at least two weeks after your last dose. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
How can I get more information about Brukinsa?
For more information about Brukinsa, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.brukinsa.com or call them at 833-two34-4363.
Interactions
Does Brukinsa interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between Brukinsa and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Brukinsa, but both Brukinsa and alcohol can increase your risk of bleeding. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Does Brukinsa interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Brukinsa.
- Clarithromycin, which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
- Posaconazole, which is a medicine used for fungal infections
Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Brukinsa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Brukinsa. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much Brukinsa?
If you or someone else has used too much Brukinsa, get medical help right away, call 9oneone, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Brukinsa?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Return to your normal schedule the next day. Do not take double or extra doses.