Overview: Gefitinib is used to treat certain types of non-small-cell lung cancer. It works by helping to stop certain cancer cells from growing and multiplying. Common side effects include diarrhea and skin reactions, but these can sometimes be severe. Keep all appointments for blood work before and during treatment with gefitinib. Get emergency help right away if you have any painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off, severe stomach pain, or any new or worsening trouble breathing while taking gefitinib. These all may be signs of serious side effects that can happen while taking gefitinib.
Uses
What is gefitinib used for?
Gefitinib is commonly used to treat certain types of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Gefitinib may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.
How does gefitinib work (mechanism of action)?
Your health care provider can test your cancer to see if it should respond to gefitinib. Gefitinib is a kind of medicine called a kinase inhibitor. Kinases are a type of protein that are responsible for sending and receiving signals in the body. These signals help your cells do important functions, such as grow properly. Gefitinib blocks a certain type of kinase on the surface of your cells called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In some cancers, EGFR has mutations that cause cancer cells to grow out of control. By blocking certain mutated forms of EGFR, gefitinib can help to stop cancer cells from growing and multiplying.
How is gefitinib supplied (dosage forms)?
Brands and other names
- Iressa
Dosage forms and strengths
- 250 mg oral tablets
How should I store gefitinib?
Gefitinib should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of gefitinib?
The most common side effects of gefitinib are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Skin reactions (see below)
- Diarrhea (see below)
There may be other side effects of gefitinib that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of gefitinib?
While less common, the most serious side effects of gefitinib are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Gefitinib may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking gefitinib and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Lung Inflammation. Gefitinib can cause inflammation in your lungs, also called interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis. This can be serious or even life-threatening. Get emergency help if you have trouble breathing. Call your health care provider right away if you have any new or worsening cough, fever, or shortness of breath.
Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking gefitinib. Keep all appointments to check your blood work. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach or belly pain
- Fever
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Itching
- Decreased or loss of appetite
- Light-colored poop
- Dark-colored urine (pee)
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Stomach or Intestinal Tear (Perforation). Gefitinib may cause a tear in your stomach or intestines, also called a perforation. Get emergency help right away if you have severe stomach pain. Call your health care provider right away if you have nausea or vomiting, fever or chills, or bloody poop.
Diarrhea. Diarrhea is common with gefitinib, but it can sometimes be severe. If you are given medicine to prevent or treat diarrhea, take it exactly as your health care provider tells you. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following.
- Severe diarrhea
- Diarrhea that does not go away
- Diarrhea with weakness, dizziness, or fever
Severe Eye Problems. Gefitinib may cause eye problems, such as pink eye (conjunctivitis), inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis), and inflammation of the cornea (keratitis). Sometimes these problems can be severe. Contact your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Eye redness, itchiness, or pain
- Swollen or itchy eyelids
- Feeling like you have something in your eye
- Eye dryness, watering, or discharge
- Vision changes, such as blurry vision or sensitivity to light
Severe Skin Reactions. Skin reactions, including redness, itching, and acne, are common with gefitinib. Gefitinib can sometimes cause severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which can lead to death if not treated. If you get a rash, stop taking gefitinib and call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a severe skin reaction.
- Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
- Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
- Red, painful, watery eyes
- Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and muscle aches
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use gefitinib?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take gefitinib.
- Gefitinib
- Iressa
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific gefitinib products they stock.
What should I know about gefitinib before using it?
Do not take gefitinib unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share gefitinib with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep gefitinib out of the reach of children.
Tell your pharmacist if you cannot swallow gefitinib whole. They can give you instructions for how to properly dissolve it in water so you can drink the medicine.
Gefitinib may make it hard for you to get pregnant in the future. If you have concerns, talk to your health care provider.
If you ever need to take an antacid or acid reducer while you are taking gefitinib, ask your health care provider about the best time to take the antacid or acid reducer. These medicines may make gefitinib not work as well. See the Interactions section for more information.
Keep all appointments with your health care provider, including for blood work, while you are taking gefitinib.
What should I tell my health care provider before using gefitinib?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if gefitinib is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.
- Lung or breathing problems other than lung cancer
- Liver problems
- Vision or eye problems
- Stomach or intestine problems, such as a tear in your gut or diarrhea
- A rash or skin problems
Other Medicines and Supplements. Gefitinib may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking gefitinib, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. Gefitinib can cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not be pregnant while taking gefitinib. If you can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control while taking gefitinib and for at least two weeks after your last dose. Ask your health care provider about birth control options.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if gefitinib passes into breast milk. Do not breastfeed while you are taking gefitinib. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does gefitinib interact with foods or drinks?
Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may raise blood levels of gefitinib in your body, which could increase the risk of side effects. Ask your health care provider if you should limit or avoid grapefruit while taking gefitinib.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect gefitinib, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer.
Does gefitinib interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking gefitinib.
- Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
- A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression
- A medicine to control seizures, such as phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others)
- Itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura) or ketoconazole, which are medicines used for fungal infections
- An antacid containing calcium, aluminum, magnesium, or iron
- An H2 blocker, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid, Zantac), or nizatidine (Axid)
- A proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (Aciphex)
- St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression
- Warfarin, which is a blood thinner
Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of gefitinib. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with gefitinib. Always check with your health care provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much gefitinib?
If you or someone else has taken too much gefitinib, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of gefitinib?
If you miss a dose of gefitinib, take it as soon as you remember. If you are supposed to take your next dose of gefitinib within the next 12 hours, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your regular scheduled time. Do not take double or extra doses.
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