What are the possible side effects of lorlatinib/lorlatinib tablets?

Lorlatinib is a targeted therapy drug mainly used to treat patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially those with ALK gene mutations. As a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, lorlatinib can effectively inhibit the growth of tumor cells and fight tumors caused by ALK gene mutations. Although lorlatinib has achieved remarkable results in treating lung cancer, like other anti-cancer drugs, it can also cause a series of side effects. The following are common side effects of lorlatinib:

First of all, the most common side effects are central nervous system (CNS) related symptoms, such as dizziness, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, mood swings, etc. Lorlatinib may have an impact on the brain after entering the body, which is a significant difference from other anti-cancer drugs. Therefore, patients may feel dizzy, sleepy, or even depressed while taking the medication, especially in the early stages of treatment.

Second, high cholesterol and high triglycerides are common metabolism-related side effects of lorlatinib. Long-term use of this drug may lead to an increase in blood lipid levels. Patients need to regularly monitor blood lipid levels during treatment in order to promptly detect and control dyslipidemia.

Pulmonary symptoms are also a common side effect of lorlatinib. Although rare, some patients may experience lung problems such as coughing and shortness of breath. These symptoms may be caused by the stimulating effect of the drug on the lungs. Therefore, patients should pay attention to observe abnormal reactions of the respiratory system during medication.

Other possible side effects include digestive system discomfort (such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, etc.), musculoskeletal system side effects (such as joint pain, myalgia, etc.), and skin reactions (such as rash, etc.). These side effects are usually mild to moderate and tolerated by most patients.

References：https://www.lorbrena.com/