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Zanubrutinib

Generic name: zanubrutinib
Brand name: Brukinsa
Dosage form: oral capsule
Drug class: BTK inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Mar 12, 2024.

What is zanubrutinib?

Zanubrutinib is a chemotherapy drug used to treat certain types of B-cell cancers. These cancers affect B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps you fight off infection. They occur when your body makes too many abnormal B-cells.

Zanubrutinib belongs to a class of drugs called kinase inhibitors. Zanubrutinib is a second-generation irreversible BTK (Bruton tyrosine kinase) inhibitor that works by blocking the action of a protein called Bruton's tyrosine kinase, which signals B-cells to grow and multiply. This stops cancer from growing in your body.

Zanubrutinib was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019.

What is zanubrutinib used for?

Zanubrutinib is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with:

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

What should I tell my doctor before taking zanubrutinib?

Before taking zanubrutinib, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

How should I take zanubrutinib?

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of zanubrutinib, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Return to your normal schedule the next day.

Dosing information

Calquence, Imbruvica, Venclexta, rituximab, Revlimid, cyclophosphamide, Rituxan, lenalidomide, ibrutinib, Brukinsa

What are the side effects of zanubrutinib?

Zanubrutinib may cause serious side effects, including:

The most common side effects of zanubrutinib include:

These are not all the possible side effects of zanubrutinib.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interactions

Tell your healthcare provider about all your medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking zanubrutinib with certain other medications may affect how zanubrutinib works and can cause side effects.

Does zanubrutinib interact with my other drugs?

Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Zanubrutinib can harm your unborn baby. If you can become pregnant, your healthcare provider may do a pregnancy test before starting treatment with zanubrutinib.

Females should avoid getting pregnant during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of zanubrutinib. You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of zanubrutinib.

Males should avoid getting female partners pregnant during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of zanubrutinib. You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of zanubrutinib.

Tell your doctor if your are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if zanubrutinib passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with zanubrutinib and for 2 weeks after the last dose of zanubrutinib.

Storage

Keep zanubrutinib and all medicines out of the reach of children.

What are the ingredients in zanubrutinib?

Active ingredient: zanubrutinib

Inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium lauryl sulfate.

The capsule shell contains edible black ink, gelatin, and titanium dioxide.

Manufacturer

Zanubrutinib is distributed and marketed under the brand name Brukinsa by BeiGene USA, Inc.

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.