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from eMedTV.comCaprelsa belongs to a group of medications known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking tyrosine kinase, a protein in the body responsible for the growth and division of cancer cells. By blocking tyrosine kinase, Caprelsa may slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells, which can slow down how quickly the cancer progresses.
Caprelsa has not been adequately studied in children, and is not approved for use in children. Talk to your child's healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using Caprelsa in children.
Yes, Caprelsa can be used in older adults. In clinical trials, the medication appeared to be as safe and effective in older adults as it was in younger age groups. However, because of general changes that occur in the body with age, and the greater likelihood that older adults will be taking other medications or have other medical conditions, some older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of Caprelsa.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend this product for treating something other than the condition discussed in this article. This is called an "off-label" use. For example, Caprelsa may be used off-label to treat non-small cell lung cancer.
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH, BCPP
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD