ALK tyrosine-kinase inhibitor

Ceritinib (Specialist drug)

Brand names: Zykadia

Ceritinib is an oral anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for ALK-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It inhibits ALK tyrosine kinase, blocking the constitutive signalling driven by ALK gene rearrangements that promotes tumour cell proliferation and survival.

Prescribing in practice

It can cause QT-interval prolongation and bradycardia, so assess ECG and electrolytes and review concomitant QT-prolonging or interacting drugs.
Gastrointestinal effects such as diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting are very common and may need dose adjustment.
Hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis and hyperglycaemia can occur and require monitoring.

Monitoring

Monitor liver function, blood glucose, ECG and electrolytes, along with gastrointestinal tolerance, during treatment.

Counselling the patient

Take consistently with regard to food as directed and report severe or persistent diarrhoea or vomiting.
Report yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe abdominal pain, or feeling faint promptly.
Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment.

Evidence & guidelines

NICE has appraised ceritinib for ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer, supported by clinical trial evidence.

Reference: Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways