Alecensa (alectinib) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for a form of non-small cell lung cancer in adults. The drug comes as an oral capsule that’s typically taken twice per day.

Alecensa is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

Alecensa belongs to a drug class called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It’s not available in a generic version.

For information about the dosage of Alecensa, including its strength and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Alecensa, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Alecensa provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Alecensa, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Below is dosage information for Alecensa and its approved use.

Alecensa form

Alecensa comes as an oral capsule.

Alecensa strength

Alecensa comes in one strength of 150 milligrams (mg).

Typical dosage

The following information describes the dosage that is commonly taken or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Typically, the recommended dosage of Alecensa is 600 mg, taken twice daily. This is the highest dosage of Alecensa you can take in one day.

You’ll take four capsules in the morning and four in the evening. The number of capsules you take may change if your doctor changes your dosage. (For more information about changes in dosage, see “Factors that can affect your dosage” below.)

Children’s dosage

Alecensa has not been studied in children and isn’t currently approved for use in children.

Long-term treatment

Alecensa is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Alecensa is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

If Alecensa is no longer effective for treating your condition, your doctor may stop the treatment. They may also recommend stopping Alecensa if you have side effects that you can’t tolerate.

The Alecensa dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include any:

  • side effects you experience
  • liver problems you may have

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor will decrease your Alecensa dosage if you experience certain side effects. These include nausea or vomiting. Your doctor may also decrease your dosage or stop Alecensa treatment if you develop severe liver damage. (For more information about side effects of Alecensa, see this article.)

Your doctor may talk with you about stopping Alecensa if you’re no longer tolerating treatment or if your condition worsens.

You’ll take Alecensa capsules by swallowing them. The number of capsules you take will depend on the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

You should take Alecensa capsules with food. Do not open the capsules or dissolve the contents of the capsules. You should swallow each capsule whole.

If you have trouble swallowing capsules, talk with your doctor or see this article.

If you miss a dose of Alecensa, take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take an extra dose after missing a dose of Alecensa.

If you vomit after taking a dose of Alecensa, take the next dose at the scheduled time.

You may experience nausea or vomiting when you take your dose of Alecensa. If you vomit after taking a dose, you should take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take an extra dose if you vomit after your dose of Alecensa.

If you often vomit after taking Alecensa, talk with your doctor about how to manage this. (To learn more about side effects with Alecensa, see this article.)

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

If you’re unsure of what to do if you miss a dose of Alecensa, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

It’s important that you do not take more Alecensa than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Alecensa

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much of Alecensa. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosage in this article is the typical dosage provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Alecensa for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Alecensa without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Alecensa that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Alecensa. These additional articles might be helpful to you:

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.