Overview

Brukinsa is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL); Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM); mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior treatment for their cancer; marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) when the disease has come back or did not respond to treatment and who have received at least one certain type of treatment; and follicular lymphoma (FL), in combination with the medicine obinutuzumab, when the disease has come back or did not respond to treatment and who have received at least two prior treatments. Brukinsa is also referred to by its drug name, zanubrutinib.

Zanubrutinib belongs to the drug category of kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of an enzyme involved in the growth of cancer cells, thereby slowing or stopping the progression of the disease.

How do I take it?

Prescribing information states that Brukinsa should be taken in the form of a tablet, either one or twice daily, depending on the dosage. The medication should be taken exactly as prescribed by a health care provider.

Side effects

Common side effects of Brukinsa include decreased neutrophil (white cell) count, decreased platelet count, upper respiratory tract infection, hemorrhaging (bleeding), and musculoskeletal pain. 

Rare but serious side effects listed for Brukinsa include low blood cell counts, bleeding problems, other cancers, heart rhythm problems, and fetal harm in people who are pregnant.

For more information about this treatment, visit:

Brukinsa — BeOne Medicines

Label: Brukinsa — DailyMed

Zanubrutinib — MedlinePlus