Are side effects of entrectinib likely to occur?

The side effects of entrectinib are rare, occurring in about 20% of patients, and the side effects of entrectinib are usually manageable and controllable, but not all patients will experience the same side effects. Most side effects are mild to moderate and can be alleviated with appropriate management and treatment adjustments. For example, mild nausea and diarrhea can be managed by adjusting the diet and using anti-nausea or antidiarrheal medications. For more serious side effects, your doctor may recommend adjusting the dose, suspending treatment, or taking other steps to manage it.

The incidence of side effects of entrectinib

The incidence of common side effects of entrectinib is approximately ≥20%, such as fatigue, constipation, dysgeusia, edema, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, inertia, dyspnea, anemia, weight gain, elevated serum creatinine, pain, cognitive impairment, vomiting, cough and fever. The incidence of serious side effects is approximately ≥2%, such as lung infection (5.2%), dyspnea (4.6%), cognitive impairment (3.8%), pleural effusion (3.0%), and fracture (2.4%). 4.6% of patients permanently discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions.

Therefore, the chance of side effects of entrectinib is low, and not all patients will experience side effects after taking the drug.

Side effects of entrectinib

1. Infections and infectious diseases: lung infection, urinary tract infection.

2. Blood and lymphatic system diseases: anemia, neutropenia.

4. Metabolic and nutritional diseases: weight gain, loss of appetite, dehydration.

5. Nervous system diseases: dizziness, headache, ataxia, sleep disorder, taste disorder.

6. Respiratory system, chest and mediastinal diseases: dyspnea, cough, pleural effusion.

7. Gastrointestinal system diseases: constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and difficulty swallowing.

8. Skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases: rash, photosensitivity reaction.

9. Musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases: myalgia, joint pain, muscle weakness, fractures.

10. Systemic diseases: fatigue, edema, pain, fever.

Measures to deal with some side effects of entrectinib

1. Constipation: Increase the intake of dietary fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, drink more water to maintain adequate fluid intake, and increase physical activity appropriately.

2. Diarrhea: Maintain adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration and avoid eating high-fiber foods and irritating foods. Use antidiarrheal drugs according to your doctor's recommendations, the more commonly used one is montmorillonite powder.

3. Nausea and vomiting: Try to eat small amounts at multiple times, avoid taking entrectinib while eating, or adjust the medication time according to the doctor's advice, or take anti-nausea drugs as directed by the doctor.

4. Fatigue: Maintain adequate rest and sleep, avoid excessive fatigue, increase nutritional intake appropriately, and maintain a balanced diet.

5. Dysgeusia: Maintain oral hygiene and avoid dry mouth.

6. Edema: Reduce salt intake, choose low-salt foods, and elevate the edema area to reduce swelling. You may need to use diuretics according to your doctor's advice.

Efficacy of Entrectinib in Adult Patients with NTRK Fusion-Positive Solid Tumors

The study showed that nearly 60% of patients responded, with an ORR of 53% in patients who had previously received systemic therapy for metastatic disease, duration of response up to nearly 4 years, and intracranial responses were observed in patients with measurable central nervous system disease. Among 54 adult patients, 4 patients had measurable CNS metastases assessable by BICR at baseline and had not received radiation therapy to the brain within 2 months of study entry.

Warm reminder

The above suggestions cannot replace professional medical advice. Patients should deal with side effects under the guidance of a doctor and adjust the treatment plan according to their specific circumstances. The specific usage and dosage of entrectinib should be strictly followed as directed by your doctor.

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