Yes — myalgia has been reported as a side effect of Alectinib in FDA adverse-event reports (FAERS) and product labeling. It is among the more frequently reported events for this medication. These are voluntary reports, so they show what's been reported, not how often it happens.
Reported adverse reactions
ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label: Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Renal Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Bradycardia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Severe Myalgia and Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) Elevation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Hemolytic Anemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Embryo-Fetal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) were hepatotoxicity, constipation, fatigue, myalgia, edema, rash and cough. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Genentech at 1-888-835-2555 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The pooled safety population described in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS reflect exposure to ALECENSA as a single agent at 600 mg orally twice daily in 533 patients in Studies NP28761, NP28673, ALEX and ALINA [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. Among 533 patients who received ALECENSA, 75% were exposed for 6 months or longer and 64% were exposed for greater than one year. In this pooled safety population, the most common (≥ 20%) adverse reactions were hepatotoxicity (41%), constipation (39%), fatigue (36%), myalgia (31%), edema (29%), rash (23%) and cough (21%). The most common (≥ 2%) Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities were increased CPK (6%), decreased hemoglobin (4.4%), increased ALT (4.2%), increased bilirubin (4.0%) and increased AST (3.4%). Adjuvant Treatment of Resected ALK-Positive NSCLC The safety of ALECENSA was evaluated in ALINA, a multi-center, open-label, randomized trial for the adjuvant treatment of patients with resected ALK-positive NSCLC [ see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. At the time of DFS analysis, the median duration of exposure was 23.9 months for ALECENSA and 2.1 months for platinum-based chemotherapy. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 13% of patients treated with ALECENSA; the most frequent serious adverse reactions (≥ 1%) were pneumonia (3.9%), appendicitis (3.1%), and acute myocardial infarction (1.6%). Permanent discontinuation of ALECENSA due to an adverse event occurred in 5% of patients; the most frequent adverse reactions (≥ 1%) that led to treatment discontinuation were pneumonitis and hepatotoxicity. Dosage interruptions of ALECENSA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 27% of patients. Adverse reactions which required dosage interruption in ≥ 2% of patients included hepatotoxicity, increased blood CPK, COVID-19, myalgia, abdominal pain, and pneumonia. Dose reductions of ALECENSA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 26% of patients. Adverse reactions which required dose reductions in ≥ 2% of patients included hepatotoxicity, increased blood CPK, rash, bradycardia and myalgia. Table 4 and 5 summarize the common adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities observed in ALINA. Table 4: Adverse Reactions (≥ 10%) in Patients Treated with ALECENSA in ALINA Adverse Reaction ALECENSA N=128 Chemotherapy N=120 All Grades (%) Grades 3-4 (%) All Grades (%) Grades 3-4 (%) Based on NCI CTCAE v5.0 Hepatobiliary System Disorders Hepatotoxicity Includes increased alanine aminotransferase, increased aspartate aminotransferase, increased bile acids, increased conjugated bilirubin, increased blood bilirubin, increased unconjugated blood bilirubin, increased gamma-glutamyltransferase, hepatotoxicity, hyperbilirubinemia, increased liver function test, ocular icterus and increased transaminases. 61 4.7 All events are Grade 3 13 0 Gastrointestinal Disorders Constipation 42 0.8 25 0.8 Abdominal pain Includes abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, lower abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, epigastric discomfort and gastrointestinal pain. 13 0 10 1.7 Diarrhea Includes colitis and diarrhea. 13 0.8 9 1.7 Musculoskeletal Myalgia Includes muscle fatigue, muscular weakness, musculoskeletal chest pain, musculoskeletal stiffness and myalgia. 34 0.8 1.7 0 Infections and Infestations COVID-19 29 0 0.8 0 General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Fatigue Includes asthenia and fatigue. 25 0.8 28 4.2 Edema Includes edema, face edema, localized edema, peripheral edema, face swelling and peripheral swelling. 16 0 1.7 0 Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Rash Includes acneiform dermatitis, bullous dermatitis, drug eruption, eczema, rash, erythematous rash, maculo-papular rash, papular rash, seborrheic dermatitis, urticaria and xeroderma. 23 1.6 10 0 Respiratory System Disorders Cough Includes cough and productive cough. 20 0.8 3.3 0 Dyspnea Includes dyspnea and exertional dyspnea. 13 0.8 2.5 0 Renal Renal Impairment Includes azotemia, increased blood creatinine, decreased renal creatinine clearance, decreased glomerular filtration rate, hypercreatininemia, renal impairment and renal failure. 16 0.8 9 0 Nervous System Disorders Dysgeusia Includes dysgeusia and taste disorder. 13 0 3.3 0 Headache 11 0 7 0 Investigations Increased weight 13 0.8 0.8 0 Cardiac Disorders Bradycardia Includes bradycardia and sinus bradycardia. 12 0 0 0 Clinically significant adverse reactions in < 10% of patients who received ALECENSA in ALINA: nausea (8%), vomiting (7%), vision disorders (4.7%; includes blurred vision, visual acuity reduced and photopsia), stomatitis (4.7%; includes stomatitis and mouth ulceration), photosensitivity reaction (3.9%) and pneumonitis (2.3%). Table 5: Worsening in Laboratory Values from Baseline Occurring in ≥ 20% of Patients in Treated with ALECENSA in ALINA Parameter ALECENSA N=128 Chemotherapy N=120 All Grades (%) Grades 3–4 (%) All Grades (%) Grades 3–4 (%) Based on NCI CTCAE v5.0 Chemistry Increased CPK 77 8 8 1.7 All events were Grade 3 Increased AST 75 0.8 25 0 Increased bilirubin 68 2.3 4.2 0 Increased alkaline phosphatase 64 0 14 0 Increased ALT 57 2.3 28 0 Increased creatinine 41 0 23 0 Increased uric acid 30 0 19 0 Hematology Decreased hemoglobin 69 0 67 0.8 Previously Untreated Metastatic ALK-Positive NSCLC The safety of ALECENSA was evaluated in 152 patients with ALK-positive NSCLC in the ALEX study. The median duration of exposure to ALECENSA was 17.9 months. Patient characteristics of the ALEX study population (n=303) were: median age 56 years, age less than 65 (77%), female (56%), Caucasian (50%), Asian (46%), adenocarcinoma histology (92%), never smoker (63%), and ECOG PS 0 or 1 (93%). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 28% of patients treated with ALECENSA; serious adverse reactions reported in 2% or more of patients treated with ALECENSA were pneumonia (4.6%), and renal impairment (3.9%). Grade ≥ 3 adverse events were reported for 41% of patients in the ALECENSA arm. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3.3% of patients treated with ALECENSA; these were renal impairment (2 patients), sudden death, cardiac arrest, and pneumonia (1 patient each). Permanent discontinuation of ALECENSA for adverse reactions occurred in 11% of patients. Adverse drug reactions that led to discontinuation of ALECENSA in 1% or more of patients were renal impairment (2.0%), hyperbilirubinemia (1.3%), increased ALT (1.3%), and increased AST (1.3%). Dosage interruptions of ALECENSA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 20% of patients. Adverse reactions which required dosage interruption in > 2% of patients included increased ALT, pneumonia. Dose reductions of ALECENSA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 17% of patients. Adverse reactions which required dose reductions in > 2% of patients included hyperbilirubinemia, increased AST and increased ALT. Tables 6 and 7 summarize the common adverse reactions and laboratory
Warnings
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hepatotoxicity: Monitor liver laboratory tests every 2 weeks during the first 3 months of treatment, then once a month and as clinically indicated, with more frequent testing in patients who develop transaminase and bilirubin elevations. In case of severe ALT, AST, or bilirubin elevations, withhold, then reduce dose, or permanently discontinue ALECENSA. ( 2.4 , 5.1 ) Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis: Immediately withhold ALECENSA in patients diagnosed with ILD/pneumonitis and permanently discontinue if no other potential causes of ILD/pneumonitis have been identified. ( 2.4 , 5.2 ) Renal Impairment: Withhold ALECENSA for severe renal impairment, then resume ALECENSA at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue ( 2.4 , 5.3 ). Bradycardia: Monitor heart rate and blood pressure regularly. If symptomatic, withhold ALECENSA then reduce dose, or permanently discontinue. ( 2.4 , 5.4 ) Severe Myalgia and Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) Elevation: Assess CPK every 2 weeks during the first month of treatment and in patients reporting unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. In case of severe CPK elevations, withhold, then resume or reduce dose. ( 2.4 , 5.5 ) Hemolytic Anemia: If hemolytic anemia is suspected, withhold ALECENSA. If hemolytic anemia is confirmed, consider resuming at a reduced dose upon resolution or permanently discontinue. ( 5.6 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: ALECENSA can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. ( 5.7 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) 5.1 Hepatotoxicity Severe hepatotoxicity, including drug-induced liver injury, occurred in patients treated with ALECENSA. In the pooled safety population [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] of patients who received ALECENSA, hepatotoxicity occurred in 41% of patients and the incidence of Grade ≥ 3 hepatotoxicity was 8%. In the ALINA study, hepatotoxicity occurred in 61% of patients treated with ALECENSA and the incidence of Grade ≥ 3 hepatotoxicity was 4.7%. The majority (72% of 136 patients) of elevated transaminases occurred during the first 3 months of treatment. Treatment discontinuation due to hepatotoxicity occurred in 3.6% of patients who received ALECENSA in the pooled safety population and 1.6% of patients treated in the ALINA study. In the pooled safety population, concurrent elevations in ALT or AST greater than or equal to 3 times the ULN and total bilirubin greater than or equal to 2 times the ULN, with normal alkaline phosphatase, occurred in less than 1% of patients treated with ALECENSA. Three patients with Grades 3–4 AST/ALT elevations had drug-induced liver injury (documented by liver biopsy in two cases). Monitor liver function tests including ALT, AST, and total bilirubin every 2 weeks during the first 3 months of treatment, then once a month and as clinically indicated, with more frequent testing in patients who develop transaminase and bilirubin elevations. Based on the severity of the adverse drug reaction, withhold ALECENSA and resume at a reduced dose or permanently discontinue ALECENSA as described in Table 3 [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ]. 5.2 Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis ILD/pneumonitis occurred in patients treated with ALECENSA. In the pooled safety population [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] , ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 1.3% of patients treated with ALECENSA with 0.4% of patients experiencing Grade 3 ILD/pneumonitis. Five patients (0.9%) in the pooled safety population discontinued ALECENSA due to ILD/pneumonitis. The median time-to-onset of Grade 3 or higher ILD/pneumonitis was 2.1 months (range: 0.6 months to 3.6 months). Promptly investigate for ILD/pneumonitis in any patient who presents with worsening of respiratory symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis (e.g., dyspnea, cough, and fever). Immediately withhold ALECENSA treatment in patients diagnosed with ILD/pneumonitis and permanently discontinue ALECENSA if no other potential causes of ILD/pneumonitis have been identified [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) and Adverse Reactions (6) ] . 5.3 Renal Impairment Renal impairment, including fatal cases, occurred in patients treated with ALECENSA. In the pooled safety population [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] , renal impairment occurred in 12% of patients treated with ALECENSA, including Grade ≥ 3 in 1.7% of patients, of which 0.4% were fatal events. The median time to Grade ≥ 3 renal impairment was 3.7 months (range 0.5 to 31.8 months). Dosage modifications for renal impairment were required in 2.4% of patients. Permanently discontinue ALECENSA for Grade 4 renal toxicity. Withhold ALECENSA for Grade 3 renal toxicity until recovery to less than or equal to 1.5 times ULN, then resume at reduced dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ] . 5.4 Bradycardia Symptomatic bradycardia occurred in patients treated with ALECENSA. In the pooled safety population [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] , bradycardia occurred in 11% of patients treated with ALECENSA. Twenty percent of 521 patients treated with ALECENSA, for whom serial electrocardiograms (ECGs) were available, had post-dose heart rates of less than 50 beats per minute (bpm). Monitor heart rate and blood pressure regularly. For asymptomatic bradycardia dose modification is not required. For symptomatic bradycardia that is not life-threatening, withhold ALECENSA until recovery to asymptomatic bradycardia or to a heart rate ≥ 60 bpm and evaluate concomitant medications known to cause bradycardia, as well as anti-hypertensive medications. If bradycardia is attributable to a concomitant medication, resume ALECENSA at a reduced dose (see Table 2 ) upon recovery to asymptomatic bradycardia or to a heart rate of ≥ 60 bpm, with frequent monitoring as clinically indicated. Permanently discontinue ALECENSA in cases of life-threatening bradycardia if no contributing concomitant medication is identified [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ] . Permanently discontinue ALECENSA for recurrence of life-threatening bradycardia. 5.5 Severe Myalgia and Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) Elevation Severe myalgia and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) elevation occurred in patients treated with ALECENSA. In the pooled safety population [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] , myalgia (including muscle- and musculoskeletal-related reactions) occurred in 31% of patients treated with ALECENSA, including Grade ≥ 3 in 0.8% of patients. Dosage modifications for myalgia events were required in 2.1% of patients. In the pooled safety population, of the 491 patients with CPK laboratory data available, elevated CPK occurred in 56% of patients treated with ALECENSA, including 6% Grade ≥ 3. The median time to Grade ≥ 3 CPK elevation was 15 days (interquartile range - 15 –337 days). Dosage modifications for elevation of CPK occurred in 5% of patients. In the ALINA study, elevated CPK occurred in 77% of 128 patients with CPK laboratory data, including 6% Grade ≥ 3 elevations. Advise patients to report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. Assess CPK levels every 2 weeks for the first month of treatment and as clinically indicated in patients reporting symptoms. Based on the severity of the CPK elevation, withhold ALECENSA, then resume or reduce dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ]. 5.6 Hemolytic Anemia Hemolytic anemia occurred in patients treated with ALECENSA. Hemolytic anemia was initially reported with ALECENSA in the postmarketing setting, including cases associated with a negative direct antiglobulin test (DAT) result. Assessments for the determination of hemolytic anemia were subsequently collected in the ALINA study, where hemolytic anemia was observed in 3.1% of patients treated with ALECENSA. If hemolytic anemia is suspected, withhold ALECENSA and initiate appropriate laboratory testing. If hemolytic anemia is confirmed, consider resuming at a reduced dose upon resolution or permanently discontinue ALECENSA [se
Yes — myalgia has been reported as a side effect of Alectinib in FDA adverse-event reports (FAERS) and/or its labeling. These are voluntary reports, so they show what's been reported, not how often it happens.
How common is myalgia with Alectinib?
myalgia is among the more frequently reported events for Alectinib in FAERS. Reporting volume isn't a true incidence rate — check the prescribing information for documented frequencies.
What should I do if I have myalgia while taking Alectinib?
Don't stop a prescribed medication on your own. Tell your prescriber or pharmacist — they can tell you whether it's expected, whether it needs attention, and what to do next.
Informational only, drawn from FDA adverse-event reporting (FAERS) and labeling — not medical advice, and not proof a medication caused an effect. Talk to your clinician or pharmacist about any side effect.
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