Lorlatinib

Generic name: lorlatinib [ lor-LAT-i-nib ]
Brand name: Lorbrena
Dosage form: oral tablet (100 mg; 25 mg)
Drug class:Multikinase inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Mar 30, 2021.

What is lorlatinib?

Lorlatinib is a kinase inhibitor for oral administration used to treat cancer. A kinase inhibitor is an enzyme inhibitor that can block the action of protein kinases.

Lorlatinib is used to treat a certain type of non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used only if your cancer has a specific genetic marker (an abnormal "ALK" gene). Your doctor will test you for this gene.

Lorlatinib is given after other cancer treatments did not work or have stopped working.

Lorlatinib was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on an "accelerated" basis. In clinical studies, some people responded to lorlatinib, but further studies are needed.

Warnings

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact, and some drugs should not be used together.

Before taking this medicine

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with lorlatinib. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using.

To make sure lorlatinib is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• heart problems, such as "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker);

• lung disease, breathing problems;

• liver disease;

• depression;

• seizures; or

• high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).

Lorlatinib can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or the father is using this medicine.

• If you are a woman, do not use lorlatinib if you are pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.

• If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose.

• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using lorlatinib.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because lorlatinib can harm an unborn baby.

Lorlatinib can make hormonal birth control less effective (birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, vaginal rings)...