Brukinsa for CLL: CLL explained, dosage, side effects, and more
Brukinsa is available in an oral tablet. Brukinsa belongs to a drug class called kinase inhibitors. The medication is not available in a generic version.
Read on for more information about Brukinsa and CLL.
Brukinsa is prescribed to treat certain cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
CLL is a type of blood cancer that starts in your bone marrow and affects lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell which play a key role in helping your body defend against infection. CLL primarily affects a specific type of lymphocyte called B-cells.
CLL causes lymphocytes to not work as well, have a longer lifespan, and accumulate in the body. Over time, dysfunctional lymphocytes send signals which cause problems with how well your immune system functions. This raises your risk for infection, as well as autoimmune problems.
CLL typically doesn’t cause symptoms in its early stages, and usually develops slowly over several years.
For treating CLL, Brukinsa is prescribed to adults.
Brukinsa is prescribed for treating certain blood cancers, including CLL. Below is more information on how Brukinsa works to treat CLL. How a drug works is also referred to as its mechanism of action.
With CLL, white blood cells called lymphocytes become dysfunctional and cause your immune system to not work as well. The main type of lymphocyte affected are cells called B lymphocytes (also called B-cells).
Brukinsa works to treat CLL by blocking an enzyme called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). BTK sends signals which trigger your immune system to create and activate more B-cells. Normally, this helps your immune system function. But with CLL, these signals can actually help the cancer cells grow. By blocking these signals, Brukinsa slows CLL from growing and spreading in the body.
Clinical studies showed Brukinsa to be effective at treating CLL in adults. You can learn more about these studies by viewing Brukinsa’s prescribing information.
Brukinsa belongs to a group of drugs called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors. BTK inhibitors, including Brukinsa, are considered a first-line (preferred) treatment for CLL in adults according to the
In addition, CLL treatment guidelines from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) also recommend BTK inhibitors (including Brukinsa) as first-line treatments for CLL in adults.
If you’d like to learn more about how well Brukinsa works for CLL, talk with your oncologist or pharmacist.
Below are instructions for taking Brukinsa for CLL, including recommended dosages.
Keep in mind these instructions are based on recommendations from Brukinsa’s manufacturer. They may differ from the dosages or guidance offered by your oncologist. Be sure to take Brukinsa according to your oncologist’s instructions.
Brukinsa is available as an oral tablet in one strength: 160 milligrams (mg).
For treating CLL, the recommended Brukinsa dosage is 320 mg (two tablets) taken once daily, or 160 mg (one tablet) taken twice daily. Your oncologist will likely continue you on this dose until either the CLL worsens or you experience intolerable side effects.
Your oncologist may prescribe a lower Brukinsa dose if you have a liver problem, such as cirrhosis. They may also prescribe a lower dose if you take certain medications which interact with Brukinsa. Finally, your oncologist may prescribe a lower dose if you develop certain side effects while taking Brukinsa.
Note: In addition to treating CLL, Brukinsa has other uses. Keep in mind that the drug’s dosage may differ when treating other conditions. To learn more, talk with your doctor.
Brukinsa comes as tablets which you swallow. You can take Brukinsa with or without food. But you should take each dose with a glass of water.
Brukinsa tablets may be swallowed whole, or they can be split in half if recommended by your doctor. But you shouldn’t crush or chew the tablets.
For treating CLL, you’ll likely take Brukinsa once or twice per day.
If you miss a dose of Brukinsa, take it as soon as you remember. Then, take your next dose as usual. But if it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take more than one dose of Brukinsa at a time.
The use of Brukinsa for CLL may cause side effects that are mild or serious.
Brukinsa is also approved to treat other blood cancers besides CLL. It’s important to note that side effects from Brukinsa may differ depending on the condition it’s used to treat
The lists below include some of the main side effects that have been reported with Brukinsa. For information about other potential side effects of the drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or refer to Brukinsa’s prescribing information.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Brukinsa and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.
These side effects of Brukinsa may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if they last longer than this, bother you, or become severe, it’s important to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor right away if you develop serious side effects while using Brukinsa. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
For some people, Brukinsa can cause an allergic reaction.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care as they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to x drug, your doctor may recommend a different medication instead.
Before you take Brukinsa, there’s some important information to keep in mind. The drug may not be a safe option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Some of these are mentioned here.
If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors are relevant to you, talk with your doctor before taking Brukinsa:
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about taking Brukinsa for CLL.
No, Brukinsa isn’t a chemotherapy (“chemo”) drug. Instead, it’s a type of medication called a targeted therapy.
Chemotherapy drugs work by killing cells in the body that are rapidly dividing. This affects cancer cells, but it also causes chemotherapy drugs to destroy healthy cells that are dividing. On the other hand, targeted cancer therapies are designed to specifically target cancer cells. For example, targeted therapies may block processes cancer cells use to grow and divide. They can still cause side effects, but are less likely to affect healthy cells compared to chemotherapy.
Your oncologist or pharmacist can provide more information if you’d like to learn more about how Brukins and other targeted therapies compare to chemotherapy.
It depends. There’s no recommended length of treatment, and each person’s experience with taking Brukinsa for CLL will differ. Typically, oncologists will continue prescribing Brukinsa until your CLL worsens or you develop intolerable side effects of Brukinsa.
If you have questions about your Brukinsa treatment, including how long your treatment may last, talk with your oncologist.
Possibly. Currently, there’s no known direct interaction between Brukinsa and alcohol.
However, Brukinsa and alcohol can cause some similar side effects. Examples include diarrhea, nausea, and headache. In addition, Brukinsa can rarely cause liver damage as a side effect. Consuming alcohol can also cause liver damage. So, you may have a higher risk for certain Brukinsa side effects if you consume alcohol during treatment.
In addition, alcohol can weaken your immune system. This may impact how well Brukinsa works, although more research is needed.
If you’d like to learn more about whether it’s safe for you to consume alcohol while you’re taking Brukinsa, talk with your oncologist.
The cost of Brukinsa is based on several factors. These include your prescribed treatment regimen and your insurance plan.
Brukinsa is a brand-name drug that is not available as a generic.
Brukinsa may need to be purchased through a specialty pharmacy authorized to carry specialty drugs. This type of drug may be costly or require help from healthcare professionals to be taken safely and effectively. For more details about how to obtain Brukinsa, talk with your doctor.
To save money on your Brukinsa prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.)
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.