Alunbrig (brigatinib) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults. Alunbrig treats ALK+ NSCLC that has spread to other parts of your body (called metastatic cancer).

Alunbrig comes as an oral tablet. It belongs to a class of drugs called ALK inhibitors. ALK inhibitors treat specific types of cancer. No generic form of Alunbrig is available.

For information about the dosage of Alunbrig in adults, including the drug’s strengths and how to take Alunbrig, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at the medication, see this article.

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

This section describes the typical dosages of Alunbrig.

Alunbrig form

Alunbrig comes as an oral tablet.

Alunbrig strengths

Alunbrig comes in three strengths:

  • 30 milligrams (mg)
  • 90 mg
  • 180 mg

Typical dosages

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.

Dosage for non-small cell lung cancer

The recommended Alunbrig dosage and frequency for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is 90 mg once per day for the first 7 days. Your doctor will then increase your dosage to 180 mg once per day. You’ll likely take 180 mg once daily until your doctor recommends that you stop taking Alunbrig.

If Alunbrig is working for you, your doctor will likely recommend that you keep taking it until your NSCLC gets worse or you no longer tolerate the drug.

Long-term treatment

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

This section provides answers to some frequently asked questions about the dosages of Alunbrig.

What’s the Alunbrig dosage for anxiety?

Alunbrig is not approved by the FDA to treat anxiety. Alunbrig is only approved to treat anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

If you experience side effects while taking Alunbrig, your doctor may lower your dosage. Talk with your doctor if you experience anxiety while taking Alunbrig.

To learn more about Alunbrig’s side effects, see this article.

What’s the Alunbrig dosage if I take other medications?

Some medications may interact with an enzyme called CYP3A, which can affect the amount of Alunbrig in your blood. Your doctor may need to prescribe a different Alunbrig dosage for you if you take certain other medications. The best Alunbrig dosage for you will depend on what other medications you take.

Talk with your doctor before you start or stop taking any medications.

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

  • if you experience side effects while taking Alunbrig
  • how well your liver and kidneys work
  • what other medications you take

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may decrease your dosage of Alunbrig for the following reasons:

  • you experience certain side effects
  • your liver or kidneys don’t work as well as they should
  • you take certain other medications

Tell your doctor if you experience any side effects while taking Alunbrig. They may need to lower your dosage or have you stop taking Alunbrig. To learn more about Alunbrig’s side effects, see this article.

You should also talk with your doctor before you start or stop taking any other medications. Some medications interact with Alunbrig, so you may need a different dosage.

Alunbrig is an oral tablet that should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush or chew Alunbrig.

Alunbrig should be taken once per day.

You can take Alunbrig with or without food. You should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this drug. Grapefruit can interact with an important enzyme that breaks down Alunbrig, and it can increase the amount of the drug in your body. This may increase your risk of side effects.

Talk with your doctor about your Alunbrig dosage and administration instructions if you have any questions.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Alunbrig in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Alunbrig, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. If you vomit after taking Alunbrig, do not take another dose. You can take your dose the next day as usual.

If you do not take Alunbrig for 2 weeks, talk with your doctor before taking another dose. They may need to start you on a lower dosage to get your body used to Alunbrig again.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

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

To learn more about Alunbrig’s side effects, see this article.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Alunbrig

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Alunbrig. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control 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’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Alunbrig for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

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

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

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.