Composition
Tab: Gefitinib 250 mg.
Indications & Dosage
Treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with activating mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor: Adult: 250 mg once daily.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the drug
Precautions
Severe renal or hepatic impairment, monitor LFTs, monitor for pulmonary toxicity, interrupt treatment and evaluate patient who develop pulmonary symptoms, risk factor for GI perforation. Ensure adequate contraception. Diarrhoea; withhold treatment if severe, low gastric pH (reduced absorption), electrolyte disturbances. During treatment if patients present with acute or worsening signs and symptoms suggestive of keratitis should be referred promptly to an opthalmology specialist. Treatment should be interupted or discontinued if ulcerative keratitis is diagnosed.
Interactions
Antacids, Antiarrhythmics (dronedarone), Antiepileptics (carbamazepine, fosphenytoin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), Antifungals, azoles, Aprepitant, Bosentan, Calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, verapamil), Cobicistat, Anticoagulant, Crizotinib, Efavirenz, Enzalutamide, H2 receptor antagonists, HIV-protease inhibitors (atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir , lopinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir), Idelalisib, Imatinib, Macrolides (clarithromycin, erythromycin), Netupitant, Nevirapine, Nilotinib, Proton pump inhibitors, Rifampicin, St Johns Wort
Pregnancy
Positive evidence of risk: Avoid
Lactation
Contraindicated. Discontinue breast-feeding
Side Effects
Alopecia, anorexia, asthenia, bone-marrow suppression, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, diarrhoea, vomiting, dry eye, dry mouth, dry skin, epistaxis, haematuria, interstitial lung disease (discontinue), proteinuria, pruritus, acne, pyrexia, rash, skin reactions, corneal erosion, pancreatitis, nausea, oral mucositis. Rare: Hepatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, hyperuricaemia, thromboembolism, tumour lysis syndrome.