Crizonix

250 mg

• Generic Name: Crizotinib

• Brand: Crizonix (by Beacon Pharmaceuticals, Bangladesh) 

• Dosage Form: Oral capsule, 250 mg each

✅ Indications

• Treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults whose tumors test:

  • ALK-positive

  • ROS1-positive

• Approved for both first-line therapy and for pre-treated (recurrent) ALK‑positive or ROS1‑positive cases.

🧬 Mechanism of Action

• It¹s a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks ALK, ROS1, and c-MET pathways that drive tumor growth. It inhibits these pathways to slow or halt cancer cell proliferation.

💊 Dosage & Administration

• Standard: 250 mg orally twice daily, with or without food.

• Continue until disease progression or intolerable side effects.

• Adjustments for toxicities:

  • Reduce to 200 mg twice daily

  • If needed, further reduce to 250 mg once daily

  • Interrupt or discontinue based on severity.

• Renal/Hepatic Impairment:

  • No adjustment for mild/moderate renal impairment.

  • In severe renal impairment, reduce to 250 mg once daily.

  • Use caution in hepatic impairment.

⚠️ Key Warnings & Monitoring

• Hepatotoxicity: Monitor liver enzymes periodically; dose interruptions or discontinuation may be required

• Interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis: Discontinue if it occurs 

• QT prolongation & bradycardia: Monitor ECG and electrolytes; adjust dose if needed

• Vision disturbances: Often reported—avoid driving or machinery until effects are known

• Embryo-fetal toxicity: Contraindicated in pregnancy; reliable contraception required during and after treatment (females: 45 days, males: 90 days) 

🔄 Drug Interactions

• Strong CYP3A inhibitors increase crizotinib levels—avoid coadministration.

• Strong CYP3A inducers decrease levels—avoid.

• Also affects levels of other CYP3A substrates—monitor closely 

🔍 Pharmacokinetics

• Absorption: Peak plasma levels in ~4–6 hours; steady state by ~15 days; food has minimal effect

• Distribution: Extensive tissue distribution; ~91% plasma protein-bound 

• Metabolism & Elimination: Primarily metabolized by CYP3A4/5; half-life ~42 hours; eliminated in feces (~63%) and urine (~22%) 

💥 Common Side Effects (≥25%)

• Vision changes, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, edema, constipation, elevated liver enzymes, fatigue, decreased appetite, cough, dizziness, neuropathy.

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🔎 Summary Table