Gefitinib is a medication prescribed for different kinds of cancer. It selectively kills mutant proteins found in malignant cancer cells.
Gefitinib is more popularly known as Iressa. It is prescribed to cancer-stricken individuals who have undergone chemotherapy but have yet to improve their conditions.
Unlike other medications, Gefitinib is not readily available in drug stores. It can only be gained through a distribution project set up by its makers specifically for those who have used Gefitinib in the past. Patients should also sign a form before getting their orders of Gefitinib.
Gefitinib is available in tablet form and administered orally once a day. It may be taken on an empty stomach.
Gefitinib may be dissolved in water if the patient is not able to swallow the tablets. A tablet may be placed in a glass of dinking water, and stirred for approximately 10 minutes or until the drug has been dissolved. The tablet should not be crushed with a spoon. Patients should then drink the blend immediately.
Patients should take a missed dose the moment they remember it. They should never take 2 doses of Gefitinib in order to make up for a missed dosage.
Gefitinib can cause side effects such as dry skin, rashes, itching, acne, unexplained weight loss, mouth sores and weakness. These symptoms may go away once the body adjusts to the use of Gefitinib, but patients should seek medical help in case these side effects worsen or persist.
There are also more serious side effects of Gefitinib. Patients should immediately seek medical attention if they experience diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, fever, cough, vomiting, nausea, lack of appetite, changes in vision, hives, swelling of various parts of the body like arms, feet, and hands.
Gefitinib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Patients should tell their pharmacist or doctor if they are allergic to Gefitinib and any other drug before taking this medication.
They should also divulge any prescription or nonprescription drug that they are using as well as vitamins and dietary supplements before agreeing to use Gefitinib. Anticoagulants, antifungals, ketoconazole, voriconazole, amiodarone, carbamazepine, fluvoxamine, ditiazem, claritrhromycin, erythromycin, and drugs for ulcers like cimetidine may interact negatively with Gefinitib.
Other drugs that may interact with Gefinitib are indinavir, nelfinavir, verapamil, ritonavir, nefazodone, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and vinorelbine.
There are other medications that can possibly interact with Gefinitib, so patients have to be transparent with their doctors on any medications that they are taking, even those drugs that were not mentioned on this article. Doctors may also change the dosage depending on the other medications being used by the patient.
Those who have had liver and kidney disease may also be at risk when they use Gefitinib. Those who have pulmonary fibrosis should also be cautious when taking this medication.
Gefitinib may be harmful to the fetus, so patients are advised not to become pregnant while using this medication.
Gefitinib has the following structural formula:
• Molecular formula of gefitinib is C22H24ClFN4O3
• Chemical IUPAC Name is N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-7-methoxy-6-(3-morpholin-4-ylpropoxy)quinazolin-4-amine
• Molecular weight is 446.9020 g/mol
• Gefitinib available : 250mg tablets
Brand name(s): Iressa, Irressat, Tarceva
Review published on: 15 August 2009
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