Acalabrutinib: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action

General drug facts

Acalabrutinib, sold under the brand name Calquence, is a medication used to treat various types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia / small lymphocytic leukemia (CLL/SLL). It may be used both in relapsed as well as in treatment-naive settings.

Common side effects include headaches, feeling tired, low red blood cells, low platelets, and low white blood cells. It is a second generation Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Acalabrutinib blocks an enzyme called Bruton's tyrosine kinase, which helps B cells to survive and grow. By blocking this enzyme, acalabrutinib is expected to slow down the build-up of cancerous B cells in CLL, thereby delaying progression of the cancer.

Acalabrutinib was approved for medical use in the United States in 2017, and in the European Union in November 2020.

What is this drug used for?

In the European Union, acalabrutinib as monotherapy or in combination with obinutuzumab is indicated for the treatment of adults with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). It is also indicated for the treatment of adults with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) who have received at least one prior therapy. 

In the United States, acalabrutinib is indicated for the treatment of adults with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy, and for the treatment of adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).

What are the side effects of this drug?

The most common adverse events were headache, diarrhea and weight gain. Despite the appearance of a greater occurrence of transient headaches, data suggest a preferred advantage of acalabrutinib over ibrutinib due to expected reduced adverse events of skin rash, severe diarrhea, and bleeding risk.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.

If it has been more than 3 hours since the missed dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.

Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.

Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.

Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.