Ninlaro (ixazomib) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat multiple myeloma in certain adults.
Ninlaro contains the active ingredient ixazomib. There is currently no generic version of this drug available.
Ninlaro belongs to a class of drugs known as proteasome inhibitors. Ninlaro is taken in combination with two other drugs for multiple myeloma: lenalidomide (Revlimid) and dexamethasone (Hemady).
Ninlaro is available as an oral capsule.
Dosage summary
The chart below summarizes Ninlaro’s dosage. (Milligrams is abbreviated as mg.) Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you.
| Ninlaro form | Ninlaro strengths | Typical dosage |
| Oral capsule | 2.3 mg, 3 mg, 4 mg | 4 mg once per week for 3 weeks, followed by 1 week without treatment |
For information about the dosage of Ninlaro, including its strengths and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Ninlaro, see this article.
This article describes typical dosages for Ninlaro provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Ninlaro, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
This section presents the typical dosage for Ninlaro.
Ninlaro form
Ninlaro is available as an oral capsule.
Ninlaro strengths
Ninlaro is available in three strengths: 2.3 milligrams (mg), 3 mg, and 4 mg.
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used 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.
The Ninlaro dosage for multiple myeloma is based on a 4-week cycle. The typical dosing schedule is 4 mg once per week for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks of treatment, you will not take Ninlaro for 1 week. Your doctor will let you know how many times you may need to repeat this 4-week cycle.
You should take Ninlaro on the same day each week for the first 3 weeks. You’ll also want to take the medication at about the same time of day. (This helps make sure the level of drug in your body stays consistent so Ninlaro can work effectively.) For example, you could take Ninlaro every Monday morning for 3 weeks followed by 1 week off.
Ninlaro is prescribed with lenalidomide (Revlimid) and dexamethasone (Hemady). Talk with your doctor about the recommended dosage of these medications.
Long-term treatment
Ninlaro is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Ninlaro is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
The Ninlaro dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Ninlaro dosage.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor will likely decrease your dose of Ninlaro if you experience certain side effects. Talk with them about any side effects you have so they can recommend the best dose for you.
If you have liver or kidney problems, your doctor will likely start you at a lower dose of the Ninlaro than usual.
If you miss a dose of Ninlaro, you should take the dose only if your next scheduled dose is 72 hours or more away. If you are less than 72 hours from your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its usual time.
You should not take two doses to make up for a missed dose. Doing so can increase your risk for overdose. (See “Ninlaro and overdose” below for more details).
If you’re unsure whether you should take a missed dose of Ninlaro, 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 using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
Note: Vomiting is a possible side effect of Ninlaro. If you vomit after taking a dose of Ninlaro, do not take another dose. You should take your next dose at the scheduled time.
Ninlaro is an oral capsule that you swallow whole with water. You should not crush, chew, or open the capsule.
It’s important that you do not take Ninlaro with food. If you eat near the time of your dose, the food could prevent your body from fully absorbing the drug. Be sure to take Ninlaro at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
If you have trouble swallowing capsules, 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 containersIf 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 Ninlaro in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you use more Ninlaro than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects.
It’s important that you don’t take more Ninlaro than your doctor advises.
Symptoms of an overdose
Overdose symptoms of Ninlaro can include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- aspiration pneumonia (a type of lung infection that occurs when substances such as saliva, vomit, or food are inhaled)
- the failure of multiple organs
An overdose of Ninlaro can, in rare cases, cause death. Your doctor can tell you more about overdose and Ninlaro.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Ninlaro
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Ninlaro. 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 dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Ninlaro 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 Ninlaro without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Ninlaro that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Ninlaro. These additional articles might be helpful to you:
- More about Ninlaro. For information about other aspects of Ninlaro, refer to this article.
- Side effects. To learn about side effects of Ninlaro, see this article. You can also look at the Ninlaro prescribing information.
- Drug comparison. To find out how Ninlaro compares with Velcade, read this article.
- Details about cancer. For details about cancer, see our cancer hub and list of cancer and oncology articles.
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.
