Gefitinib STADA
Gefitinib Stada is a medicine that contains gefitinib, which helps stop the growth and spread of cancer cells in non-small cell lung cancer.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
250 mg
Active Ingredient
Gefitinib
Manufacturer
STADA Arzneimittel AG
How to Use
Dosage
The recommended dose is one 250 mg tablet once a day.
Method
Take the tablet at about the same time each day, with or without food. If you have trouble swallowing, dissolve the tablet in half a glass of still water (no other liquids) and drink it immediately once dissolved.
Important
Do not take more than one 250 mg tablet per day.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty swallowing, hives, rash, difficulty breathing)
- •Diarrhoea
- •Vomiting
- •Nausea
- •Skin reactions, such as acne-like rash, sometimes with itching, dry skin, or cracked skin
- •Loss of appetite
- •Weakness
- •Red or sore mouth
- •Increased liver enzymes in blood tests
- •Dry mouth
- •Dry, red, or itchy eyes
- •Red and sore eyelids
- •Nail problems
- •Hair loss
- •Fever
- •Bleeding (such as nosebleeds or blood in urine)
- •Protein in urine (seen in urine tests)
- •Increased bilirubin and other liver enzymes in blood tests
- •Increased creatinine levels in blood tests
- •Cystitis (burning sensation when urinating, frequent and urgent need to urinate)
- •Dehydration caused by severe or long-lasting diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, or loss of appetite
RARE
- •Severe shortness of breath, sudden worsening of breathing, cough, and fever (signs of inflammation in the lungs called interstitial lung disease)
- •Severe skin reactions on large areas of the body, including redness, pain, sores, blisters, or peeling skin (can also affect lips, nose, eyes, and genitals)
- •Eye problems such as pain, redness, watery eyes, light sensitivity, changes in vision, or inward-growing eyelashes (may indicate a sore on the surface of the eye)
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), with symptoms like severe upper stomach pain, severe nausea, and vomiting
- •Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), with symptoms like general unwellness and possibly jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes). This is uncommon but has led to some deaths.
- •Perforation in the digestive tract
- •Skin reactions on palms and soles of feet, including tingling, numbness, pain, swelling, or redness (hand-foot syndrome)
- •Inflammation of blood vessels in the skin, which may appear as bruises or a rash that does not fade
- •Haemorrhagic cystitis (burning sensation when urinating, frequent and urgent need to urinate, and blood in urine)
Important Warnings
- Do not take Gefitinib Stada if you are allergic to gefitinib or any other ingredient in this medicine, or if you are breastfeeding.
- Talk to your doctor if you have had other lung problems in the past, as some may worsen during Gefitinib Stada treatment.
- Talk to your doctor if you have had liver problems in the past.
- Gefitinib Stada is not for children or adolescents under 18 years of age.
- Avoid becoming pregnant during treatment as Gefitinib Stada can harm your baby. Discuss this with your doctor.
Show 3 more warnings
- You may feel weak during treatment. If so, do not drive or use tools or machines.
- Do not take antacids (medicines that reduce stomach acid) two hours before or one hour after taking Gefitinib Stada.
- Tell your doctor about all other medicines you take, especially epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine), tuberculosis medicine (rifampicin), fungal infection medicine (itraconazole), sleeping pills (barbiturates), St. John's wort (for depression), stomach acid reducers (proton pump inhibitors, H2-antagonists, antacids), or blood thinners (warfarin).