Crizotinib is a targeted cancer medicine. It blocks signals that help certain cancer cells grow. It is used only when your tumor has specific gene changes, like ALK or ROS1. Your care team will test your cancer to see if this drug is right for you.
Brand Name(s)
- United States: Xalkori
- Canada: Xalkori
Warning(s)
- Heart rhythm changes can happen, including a long QT interval and a slow heartbeat. Get help right away if you feel faint, have a fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or you pass out.
- Liver problems may occur. Watch for dark urine, yellow skin or eyes, severe tiredness, stomach pain, or loss of appetite.
- Lung inflammation (pneumonitis/ILD) can be serious. Call your care team if you have new or worse cough, fever, or shortness of breath.
- Vision changes are common early in treatment. Tell your care team if you have blurred vision, flashes, floaters, light sensitivity, or any loss of vision. Avoid driving or tasks needing clear eyesight until you know how you react.
- Low blood counts may raise your risk of infection, bleeding, or anemia. Report fever, chills, sore throat, unusual bruising/bleeding, or extreme tiredness.
- Blood clots in the lungs have happened. Seek urgent care for chest pain, coughing up blood, fast breathing, or sudden shortness of breath.
- Blood pressure and blood sugar can go too high or too low. Your team may check these regularly; tell them about dizziness, headache, unusual thirst/hunger, shakiness, or sweating.
- Drug interactions are common. Many medicines (including some for HIV, infections, and seizures) must not be taken with crizotinib. Share a full list of all prescription drugs, OTC medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Do not start or stop anything without checking first.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice. They can raise crizotinib levels and increase side effects.
- You may be more sensitive to the sun. Use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and avoid tanning beds.
- Crizotinib may harm an unborn baby. A pregnancy test is usually done before starting.
- If you can become pregnant, use effective birth control while taking crizotinib and for at least 45 days after your last dose. If your partner can become pregnant, use birth control during treatment and for at least 90 days after the last dose. If pregnancy occurs, contact your care team right away.
- Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 45 days after the last dose.
- Fertility may be affected in some people. Ask your care team if you have questions.
- Tell all of your health care providers, including dentists and pharmacists, that you take crizotinib.
- Your team may order regular blood tests, eye exams, and checks of your heart rate and blood pressure.
Kind of Cancers It Is Used For (not a complete list)
- Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is ALK-positive or ROS1-positive (adults).
- Systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) that is ALK-positive in children and young adults when disease has come back or did not respond to other treatment.
- Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) that is ALK-positive and cannot be removed by surgery, has returned, or is refractory (adults, children, and adolescents).
These uses depend on finding ALK or ROS1 changes in your tumor. Testing is needed before treatment.
Mechanism of Action
- Crizotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
- It blocks proteins called ALK and ROS1 (and also MET) that can be overactive in some cancers.
- By blocking these signals, it may slow or stop cancer cell growth and can shrink tumors in some people.
Common Side Effects
- Upset stomach: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, or heartburn.
- Decreased appetite and weight changes.
- Tiredness or weakness.
- Changes in taste.
- Swelling in hands, feet, or ankles.
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded.
- Numbness, tingling, or trouble with balance or walking.
- Muscle or joint pain; muscle spasms.
- Headache.
- Cold-like symptoms or cough.
- Mouth irritation or mouth sores.
- Vision effects such as blurred vision, floaters, or sensitivity to light.
Not everyone has these side effects. Serious side effects are listed under Warnings. Tell your care team about any symptoms that worry you or do not go away.
Learn more about crizotinib on MedlinePlus
Last reviewed: 2025-12-17
