Gefitinib Avansor
Gefitinib Avansor is a medicine that blocks a protein called EGFR to help stop the growth and spread of certain lung cancer cells.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
250 mg
Active Ingredient
Gefitinib
Manufacturer
Avansor Pharma Oy
How to Use
Dosage
Take one 250 mg tablet once a day.
Method
Take the tablet around the same time each day, with or without food. If you can't swallow it, dissolve it in half a glass of still water (don't crush it). Drink immediately and rinse the glass. Do not take antacids 2 hours before or 1 hour after this medicine.
Important
The maximum daily dose is one 250 mg tablet.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Loss of appetite
- •Diarrhea
- •Vomiting
- •Nausea
- •Red or sore mouth
- •Skin reactions, like acne-like rash, sometimes with itching, dry or cracked skin
- •Weakness
- •Increased liver enzymes (seen in blood tests); if very high, your doctor may ask you to stop treatment
- •Dry mouth
- •Dry, red, or itchy eyes
- •Red or sore eyelids
- •Nail problems
- •Hair loss
- •Fever
- •Bleeding (e.g., nosebleeds or blood in urine)
- •Increased bilirubin and other liver enzymes (seen in blood tests); if very high, your doctor may ask you to stop treatment
- •Increased creatinine levels (kidney function marker) in blood tests, and protein in urine
- •Bladder infection (burning sensation when urinating and frequent, urgent need to urinate)
RARE
- •Pancreatitis (severe pain in upper abdomen, severe nausea and vomiting). Perforation in the digestive tract.
- •Liver inflammation (general unwell feeling, possibly jaundice - yellowing of skin and eyes). This is rare but has led to deaths in some patients.
- •Skin reactions on palms and soles, including tingling, numbness, pain, swelling, or redness (hand-foot syndrome).
- •Inflammation of blood vessels in the skin, appearing as bruises or rashes that do not fade.
- •Hemorrhagic cystitis (burning when urinating, frequent urgent need, and blood in urine).
Important Warnings
- Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to gefitinib or any other ingredient.
- Do not use this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
- Tell your doctor if you have had lung problems, as some might get worse with this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you have had liver problems.
- Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine, as it can harm your baby.
Show 7 more warnings
- This medicine can make you feel weak. Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel weak.
- This medicine contains lactose. If you have a sugar intolerance, talk to your doctor before taking it.
- Seek immediate medical help if you have a severe allergic reaction, which may include swollen face, lips, tongue, or throat, trouble swallowing or breathing, and hives.
- Seek immediate medical help if you experience severe shortness of breath, cough, or fever, as this could be a serious lung inflammation (interstitial lung disease).
- Seek immediate medical help if you develop severe skin reactions, such as widespread redness, pain, sores, blisters, or peeling skin. This can affect lips, nose, eyes, and genitals.
- Seek immediate medical help if you experience dehydration due to severe or long-lasting diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, or loss of appetite.
- Seek immediate medical help if you have eye problems like pain, redness, watery eyes, light sensitivity, vision changes, or ingrown eyelashes, as this could indicate a corneal ulcer.