Inlyta (axitinib) is a brand-name drug prescribed for advanced kidney cancer in adults. Inlyta comes as an oral tablet that’s typically taken twice a day. The dosage can vary based on various factors.
Inlyta is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This is a type of kidney cancer that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery. Inlyta may be prescribed as a first-time treatment in combination with certain other cancer drugs. It may also be prescribed alone when one prior drug treatment has not worked for your RCC.
Inlyta belongs to a drug class called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors (sometimes called anti-VEGF drugs). Inlyta isn’t available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Inlyta, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Inlyta, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Inlyta provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Inlyta, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
The information below describes Inlyta’s typical dosages and other details about the drug.
Inlyta form
Inlyta comes as an oral tablet.
Inlyta strengths
Inlyta comes in two strengths: 1 milligram (mg) and 5 mg.
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will start by prescribing you a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed 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 renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
Doctors may prescribe Inlyta to treat advanced RCC. They may prescribe Inlyta alone or with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) or Bavencio (avelumab).
Inlyta alone: If your doctor prescribes Inlyta alone, your starting dose will likely be 5 mg. Typically, you’ll take this twice daily, about 12 hours apart. After about 2 weeks, your doctor may recommend increasing your dosage to 7 mg twice daily. If you tolerate the drug well, your doctor may recommend another dose increase, up to 10 mg twice daily.
Note that your doctor would likely only consider a dosage increase if you tolerate Inlyta for at least 2 weeks in a row with no serious adverse reactions. You must also have normal blood pressure and not take medications for high blood pressure. Otherwise, your doctor may increase your dose more slowly. For more information about this, see the “Dosage adjustments” section below.
Inlyta in combination with other drugs: The dosage of Inlyta in combination with Keytruda or Bavencio is typically the same as for Inlyta alone. However, with Keytruda, your doctor may wait 6 weeks or more to increase your Inlyta dose. Your doctor can give you more information about this.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Long-term treatment
Inlyta is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Inlyta is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Before you start taking Inlyta, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to take Inlyta.
The Inlyta dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- other medications you take
- side effects you may have with Inlyta
- your liver function
Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may need to reduce your dosage if you take certain medications, such as CYP3A4* or CYP3A5* inhibitors. These drugs can increase the level of Inlyta in your body.
Your doctor may also need to reduce your Inlyta dosage if you have moderate liver damage.
Your doctor may reduce or temporarily hold your dosage if you experience certain serious side effects while taking Inlyta. These may include high blood pressure, bleeding, certain heart problems, and others. For more information about this, talk with your doctor. You can also review the “Side effects” section of this article.
Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.
* CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 are enzymes (a type of protein) in the liver that break down medications.
Inlyta comes as a tablet you swallow whole with a glass of water. Do not divide, crush, chew, or place the tablet in water. You may take your dose with or without food.
Be sure to take your Inlyta doses about 12 hours apart, such as morning and evening. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Inlyta can work effectively.
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.
If you have questions about how to use Inlyta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There are also tips on taking Inlyta on the manufacturer’s website.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome 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 Inlyta in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss a dose of Inlyta, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
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.
Note: It’s possible for Inlyta to cause vomiting as a side effect. If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take an additional dose to make up for it. Skip this dose and take your next scheduled dose.
It’s important that you do not take more Inlyta than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
Effects of an overdose
Overdose effects of Inlyta can include:
If you take more than the recommended amount of Inlyta
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Inlyta. 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.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Inlyta.
How long does it take for Inlyta to start working?
Inlyta starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel it working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Inlyta treatment.
Can Inlyta be used for liver cancer? If so, what’s the dosage?
No, Inlyta isn’t used for liver cancer. Inlyta is approved to treat advanced RCC (a type of kidney cancer) in adults.
Because Inlyta isn’t approved for liver cancer, the drug’s manufacturer doesn’t provide recommended dosages for this use.
However, Nexavar (sorafenib) is a drug approved to treat liver cancer that cannot be treated with surgery. If you have questions about managing liver cancer, talk with your doctor. They can recommend treatment options.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Inlyta for you, they’ll 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 Inlyta without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Inlyta that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Inlyta. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Inlyta: For information about other aspects of Inlyta, refer to this article.
- Details about RCC: For details about RCC, see this article and our cancer hub.
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.