Composition
Tab: Afatinib 40 mg
Indications & Dosage
Treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, in patients who have not previously been treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor: Adult: 40 mg once daily; increased if tolerated to up to 50 mg once daily, dose may be increase after 3 weeks of initial dose; consult product literature for details on dosing.
Precautions
Cardiac risk factors, conditions which may affect left ventricular ejection fraction; consider cardiac monitoring, diarrhoea, exposure to sun, history of keratitis, new pulmonary symptoms (including dyspnoea, cough, fever), interrupt treatment until interstitial lung disease is excluded, severe dry eyes, skin reaction; treat promptly and interrupt treatment if severe or if Stevens-Johnson syndrome suspected (consult product literature) . ulcerative keratitis, use of contact lenses, worsening pulmonary symptoms (including dyspnoea, cough, fever); interrupt treatment until interstitial lung disease is excluded.
Interactions
Dexamethasone
Pregnancy
Avoid unless essential
Lactation
Contraindicated. Discontinue breast feeding
Side Effects
Appetite decreased, cystitis, dehydration, diarrhoea, dry eye, dyspepsia, epistaxis, eye inflammation, fever, hypokalaemia, muscle spasms, nausea, oral disorders, paronychia, renal impairment, rhinorrhoea, skin reactions, taste altered, vomiting, weight decreased, interstitial lung disease, pancreatitis. Rare: Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs).