Real Talk about ALK+ mNSCLC

Everyone's journey with ALK+ mNSCLC is different, but advice from real people with your diagnosis may help you along the way. Keep in mind that this is not intended to replace the advice of your healthcare team.

Coping with your diagnosis video

Coping with your diagnosis

Accepting your diagnosis and adjusting to life with ALK+ mNSCLC is an important process. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, scared, or angry when you’re first diagnosed. Hear what advice Laura L., Colleen, and Jessica have for people who are newly diagnosed with ALK+ mNSCLC.

Being your own advocate video

Being your own advocate

Being an advocate for yourself is a critical part of your care. Speaking up and asking questions at your doctor’s appointments can help you feel comfortable with your treatment plan. Hear what being your own advocate means to Laura G. and the tips she has to share.

Options for financial support video

Learning about your options for financial support

If you’re worried about how treatment will affect your life financially, know that there may be support available. Hear how Sandy found financial support after she was prescribed ALECENSA^® (alectinib).

Establishing a routine for taking ALECENSA video

Establishing a routine for taking ALECENSA

Taking ALECENSA exactly as your doctor prescribed will help you get the most out of your treatment. There are many ways to incorporate ALECENSA into your daily routine. Hear what Jennifer has to say about finding a routine that works for her.

Staying connected video

Staying connected

Consider connecting with other people with ALK+ mNSCLC through support groups available in your area or online. You may find that surrounding yourself with others who share your experience and understand what you’re going through can be enlightening and encouraging. Hear about Sam’s experience connecting with other people who share her diagnosis.

Seeking support when you need it video

Seeking support when you need it

Living with ALK+ mNSCLC can be emotionally challenging. For many people, a common source of anxiety is the medical scans that monitor how you’re doing on treatment. If you feel comfortable, you could talk about your fears and concerns with your family members or friends. Hear what Lisa has to say about how she finds support for her scan anxiety.

Eating healthy and staying active video

Eating healthy and staying active

Making healthy choices is important—they might help you feel better during your treatment. Eating healthy can help you maintain a healthy weight and get the nutrients you need. In addition to the right diet, physical activity could help improve your physical and emotional health. Hear what Colin has to say about how he made healthy changes to his lifestyle after his diagnosis.

Practicing self-care video

Practicing self-care

Your emotional wellness is a critical part of living with ALK+ mNSCLC. Keeping a journal about your feelings, frustrations, and experiences may help you cope with the emotional burden that comes with this disease. You may also find yourself asking for more help in your day-to-day life or saying no to things you used to say yes to. Hear how Jennifer practices self-care by guarding her time.

You might not have to stop doing what you love because you have ALK+ mNSCLC. We know because we asked real people with ALK+ mNSCLC to share their honest thoughts and experiences on adjusting to their lives after diagnosis. Hear their advice and suggestions to help you take care of yourself and focus on the things that are most important to you.

Next: Patient Support Organizations

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Sign up for the email and text message ALECENSA Staying Positive Support Programs for additional tips and resources on living with ALK+ mNSCLC.

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Get helpful information and resources to learn more about your treatment with ALECENSA.

How ALECENSA® (alectinib) may help icon

How ALECENSA May Help

Learn how ALECENSA may help people newly diagnosed with ALK+ mNSCLC.

Who is ALECENSA® (alectinib) for?

ALECENSA is a prescription medicine used to treat people with non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (mNSCLC) and is caused by an abnormal anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure that ALECENSA is right for you.

It is not known if ALECENSA is safe and effective in children.

What is the most important information I should know about ALECENSA?

Everyone reacts differently to treatment with ALECENSA. It’s important to know the most serious and most common side effects with ALECENSA.

Your doctor may lower the dose or stop treatment with ALECENSA if any side effects occur. Contact your doctor right away if you have any of the following side effects.

ALECENSA may cause serious side effects, including:

Liver problems (hepatotoxicity). ALECENSA may cause liver injury. Your doctor will do blood tests at least every 2 weeks for the first 3 months, and then 1 time each month and as needed during treatment with ALECENSA. Tell your doctor right away if you get any of the following signs and symptoms:

Feeling tired
Feeling less hungry than usual
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
Dark urine
Itchy skin
Nausea or vomiting
Pain on the right side of your stomach area
Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal

Lung problems. ALECENSA may cause severe or life-threatening swelling (inflammation) of the lungs during treatment. Symptoms may be similar to those symptoms from lung cancer. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms, including:

Trouble breathing
Shortness of breath
Cough
Fever

Kidney problems. ALECENSA may cause severe or life-threatening kidney problems. Tell your doctor right away if you have a change in the amount or color of your urine, or if you get new or worsening swelling in your legs or feet.

Slow heartbeat (bradycardia). ALECENSA may cause very slow heartbeats that can be severe. Your doctor will check your heart rate and blood pressure during treatment with ALECENSA. Tell your doctor right away if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or if you faint during treatment with ALECENSA. Tell your doctor if you take any heart or blood pressure medicines.

Muscle pain, tenderness, and weakness (myalgia). Muscle problems are common with ALECENSA and can be severe. Your doctor will do blood tests at least every 2 weeks for the first month and as needed during treatment with ALECENSA. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening signs and symptoms of muscle problems, including unexplained muscle pain or muscle pain that does not go away, tenderness, or weakness.

Breakdown of healthy red blood cells earlier than normal (hemolytic anemia). Hemolytic anemia can happen in some people who take ALECENSA. If this happens, you may not have enough healthy red blood cells. Your doctor may temporarily stop ALECENSA and do blood tests, if needed, to check for this problem. If you develop hemolytic anemia, your doctor may either restart you on ALECENSA at a lower dose when the hemolytic anemia goes away, or may stop your treatment with ALECENSA. Tell your doctor right away if you experience yellow skin (jaundice), weakness or dizziness, or shortness of breath.

What should I tell my doctor before taking ALECENSA?

Before you take ALECENSA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

Have liver problems
Have lung or breathing problems
Have a slow heartbeat
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. ALECENSA can harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment with ALECENSA or think you may be pregnant
- Women who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with ALECENSA and for 1 week after the final dose of ALECENSA
- Men who have female partners that are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with ALECENSA and for 3 months after the final dose of ALECENSA
Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ALECENSA passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with ALECENSA and for 1 week after the final dose of ALECENSA. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby during this time

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What should I avoid while taking ALECENSA?

Avoid spending time in the sunlight during treatment with ALECENSA and for 7 days after the final dose of ALECENSA. You may burn more easily and get severe sunburns. Use sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 50 or greater to help protect against sunburn.

What are the possible side effects of ALECENSA?

The most common side effects of ALECENSA include:

Tiredness
Constipation
Swelling in your hands, feet, ankles, face, and eyelids
Muscle pain, tenderness, and weakness (myalgia)
Low red blood cell count

These are not all of the possible side effects of ALECENSA. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please see additional Important Safety Information in full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.