Alunbrig (brigatinib) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in certain adults. Specifically, Alunbrig is approved to treat NSCLC that:

If Alunbrig works to treat your NSCLC, your doctor will likely recommend you take the drug long term.

Here are some fast facts about Alunbrig:

  • Active ingredient: brigatinib
  • Drug class: kinase inhibitor
  • Drug form: oral tablet
  • FDA approval year: 2017

As with other drugs, Alunbrig can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Alunbrig, see this article.

Alunbrig can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Alunbrig in clinical trials:

* For additional information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Alunbrig use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For additional details, you can refer to Alunbrig’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Alunbrig include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Alunbrig and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For additional information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Alunbrig may cause serious side effects. Although serious side effects were not common, they can occur. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For additional details, you can refer to Alunbrig’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Alunbrig, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For additional information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Alunbrig. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.

Alunbrig may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Alunbrig cause any long-term side effects?

Yes, it’s possible for Alunbrig to cause long-term side effects. However, most side effects of Alunbrig are mild or short term.

Some long-term side effects include:

These side effects aren’t common. However, they may cause symptoms or complications that last for a long time, even after treatment ends. If you have concerns about long-term side effects of Alunbrig treatment, talk with your doctor.

Why do I have to avoid the sun during Alunbrig treatment?

You should avoid the sun during Alunbrig treatment and for at least 5 days after your last dose. This is because Alunbrig causes photosensitivity. With photosensitivity, your skin becomes more sensitive to the sun. So if you’re taking Alunbrig and are out in the sun, you may have an increased risk of sunburn or skin rash.

In addition to avoiding the sun, you should try to wear a hat or clothing that covers your skin. This will help prevent sunburn. You should also use broad-spectrum sunscreen during Alunbrig treatment.

If you develop sunburn during treatment with Alunbrig, talk with your doctor. They will help determine if you should continue taking the drug. In some cases, they may recommend decreasing your dosage* or stopping Alunbrig treatment and trying a different drug.

* To learn more about Alunbrig’s dosage, see this article.

Does Alunbrig cause hair loss?

No, Alunbrig treatment isn’t known to cause hair loss. This wasn’t a side effect reported by people taking this drug.

However, other treatments for cancer, such as certain types of chemotherapy, may cause hair loss.

Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about hair loss during Alunbrig treatment. If you’re experiencing hair loss during treatment, your doctor can help determine its cause.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Alunbrig may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Alunbrig.

Nausea or vomiting

Some people may experience nausea or vomiting during treatment with Alunbrig. These were commonly reported side effects in clinical trials of the drug.

What you can do

If you have nausea or vomiting during Alunbrig treatment, talk with your doctor. In some cases, nausea or vomiting may be signs of other side effects. For example, nausea or vomiting can be a symptom of pancreas or liver problems.

Your doctor will help determine if there are more serious side effects that are causing your nausea or vomiting. They’ll also recommend ways to decrease this side effect. For example, your doctor may recommend trying ginger candies or ginger ale to decrease these symptoms. In some cases, they may be able to prescribe medications to decrease your nausea or vomiting.

Headache

It’s possible to experience headaches during Alunbrig treatment. In fact, headaches were commonly reported in people taking this medication.

What you can do

If you have headaches while you’re taking Alunbrig, talk with your doctor. In some cases, headaches may be a sign of another side effect, such as high blood pressure. Your doctor can help determine the cause of your headaches. And they may recommend ways to decrease them. In some cases, they may recommend an over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), to treat your headaches.

Changes in vision

Some people may develop changes in their vision while taking Alunbrig. This side effect was not common in clinical trials of Alunbrig. However, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of vision changes so you can alert your doctor right away.

Symptoms can include:

What you can do

Be sure to tell your doctor right away about any changes in your vision during Alunbrig treatment. They’ll likely recommend a vision test to see if Alunbrig is affecting your vision.

If you develop changes in your vision, your doctor may recommend pausing or completely stopping your Alunbrig treatment. If your vision improves, you may be able to restart Alunbrig treatment at a lower dosage.*

* To learn more about Alunbrig’s dosage, see this article.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure may occur during Alunbrig treatment. This was a common side effect reported in clinical trials of the drug.

Typically, high blood pressure doesn’t cause any symptoms. However, very high blood pressure may cause symptoms. It’s important to be aware of these so you can alert your doctor right away or seek emergency treatment.

Symptoms can include:

What you can do

Before you start treatment with Alunbrig, your doctor will check your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, they will recommend starting treatment with a blood pressure medication.

Your doctor will check your blood pressure 2 weeks after you start Alunbrig treatment. They’ll also check your blood pressure at least monthly to be sure it doesn’t get too high.

If you develop high blood pressure while you’re taking Alunbrig, your doctor may pause your Alunbrig treatment. They will recommend taking a blood pressure drug. If this lowers your blood pressure, your doctor may recommend restarting treatment with Alunbrig. In some cases of high blood pressure, your doctor may completely stop your Alunbrig treatment.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Alunbrig can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Alunbrig. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Alunbrig. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Lung problems. Alunbrig may cause lung problems, which may make it hard to breathe. If you already have lung problems, this drug may worsen your condition. Be sure to tell your doctor about any lung problems that you may have. They may monitor you more frequently or they may recommend a different treatment option for you.

High blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure,* tell your doctor before starting treatment with Alunbrig. They’ll likely recommend managing your blood pressure with medications before you start Alunbrig treatment. This is because Alunbrig can increase your blood pressure as a side effect. So if you already have high blood pressure, Alunbrig can worsen it. Talk with your doctor to see if taking Alunbrig is safe for you.

Slow heart rate. You may develop bradycardia (slow heart rate) from taking Alunbrig. If you already have a slow heart rate, taking Alunbrig may cause your heart rate to become dangerously low. In this case, your doctor can help determine if Alunbrig treatment is safe for you.

Pancreas problems. Alunbrig may cause increases in the levels of certain pancreatic proteins in your blood. If you’ve ever had pancreas problems, such as pancreatitis, you may already have high levels of these proteins. So taking Alunbrig may worsen your condition. If you have pancreas problems, talk with your doctor to see if Alunbrig is safe for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction* to Alunbrig or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Alunbrig. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Vision problems. You may develop changes in your vision* from Alunbrig treatment. These may include double vision or blurry vision. If you already have vision problems, taking Alunbrig may worsen your vision. Your doctor may monitor your vision throughout your treatment. They’ll help determine if it’s safe for you to take Alunbrig.

Liver problems. Alunbrig can increase the risk of liver problems. If you already have liver problems, taking this medication may make your condition worse. Your doctor can help determine if Alunbrig is a safe medication for you.

High blood sugar level or diabetes. You may develop a high blood sugar level during Alunbrig treatment. And this may lead to diabetes. If you already have high blood sugar or diabetes, taking Alunbrig may worsen your condition. Talk with your doctor to see if Alunbrig is safe for you to take.

Kidney problems. If you have kidney problems, you may have an increased risk of side effects from Alunbrig. If you have severe kidney problems, your doctor may recommend a lower dosage† of Alunbrig. Before starting Alunbrig treatment, talk with your doctor if you have kidney problems. They can determine if Alunbrig is safe for you to take.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.
† For details about Alunbrig’s dosage, see this article.

Alcohol and Alunbrig

There are no known interactions between alcohol and Alunbrig.

However, drinking alcohol may increase your risk of side effects. For example, Alunbrig can cause nausea, vomiting, or headache. Since alcohol can also cause these effects, drinking alcohol while you’re taking Alunbrig may further increase the risk of these side effects.

You may also have an increased risk of serious side effects* from Alunbrig treatment while drinking alcohol. For example, both alcohol and Alunbrig treatment can increase the risk of liver problems. So drinking alcohol during Alunbrig treatment may further increase your risk of serious side effects.

If you’d like to drink alcohol while you’re taking Alunbrig, talk with your doctor. They’ll be able to recommend how much alcohol, if any, is safe for you.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Serious side effects of Alunbrig” section above.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Alunbrig

Below is information about taking Alunbrig during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Pregnancy and Alunbrig

Alunbrig is not safe to take during pregnancy. The drug may cause congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects).

Although this drug has not been studied in pregnant people, animal studies show that it can cause harm if taken during pregnancy. Animals that were given Alunbrig had offspring with low birth weight and bone problems. There was also an increased risk of pregnancy loss.

If you can become pregnant, your doctor will recommend you take a pregnancy test before starting Alunbrig treatment. They will also recommend you use birth control during Alunbrig treatment and for at least 4 months after your last dose.

If you’re male* and have a partner who can become pregnant, your doctor will recommend using birth control. Be sure to use birth control during Alunbrig treatment and for at least 3 months after your last dose.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They can determine the best treatment plan for you.

Breastfeeding and Alunbrig

It’s not known if it’s safe to take Alunbrig while breastfeeding.

Currently, it’s unknown if Alunbrig passes into breast milk or what effects it may have on a child who is breastfed. However, due to the possible risks of exposing a child to the drug, your doctor will not recommend breastfeeding during Alunbrig treatment. They’ll also recommend you avoid breastfeeding for at least 1 week after your last dose.

If you’re planning to breastfeed, tell your doctor. They can recommend other ways to feed your child.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

You may experience side effects from taking Alunbrig. Although most side effects from this medication are mild, it’s possible to develop serious side effects.

If you’d like to learn more about Alunbrig, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects of taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

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.