Gefitinib
About Gefitinib
Gefitinib is a prescription medication used to treat adults with non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It specifically targets cancer cells that have certain abnormal proteins or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. By blocking these proteins, this medicine helps slow down or stop the growth and spread of cancer cells.
To get the most benefit, you must take Gefitinib consistently at the same time every day as prescribed by your doctor. You can take this tablet with or without food, making it easy to fit into your daily routine. Staying well-hydrated and eating balanced, nutritious meals can also support your body during this treatment.
While taking Gefitinib, you may experience common side effects such as skin rashes, diarrhoea, or dry skin. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you develop severe or worsening shortness of breath, cough, fever, or severe eye irritation.
Before starting this medication, tell your doctor if you have a history of lung disease, liver damage, or kidney problems. Do not take this if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in this medicine.
Certain medicines, smoking, and alcohol can interfere with how this drug works, potentially reducing its effectiveness or increasing side effects. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks and benefits before starting this therapy.
Uses of Gefitinib
Medicinal Benefits
Gefitinib offers several important benefits that help control lung cancer while allowing for more targeted treatment:
- Targeted Cancer Therapy: Unlike traditional chemotherapy which affects all rapidly dividing cells, Gefitinib specifically targets cells with abnormal proteins. This helps limit damage to healthy cells, which can lead to fewer systemic side effects.
- Slowing Tumour Growth: By blocking the signals that tell cancer cells to multiply, this medication helps keep the disease controlled, which can relieve symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath, helping you breathe easier.
- Convenient At-Home Care: Since this is an oral tablet, you can take it in the comfort of your own home rather than travelling to a clinic for regular intravenous infusions, giving you more control over your daily schedule.
Directions for Use
- Gefitinib should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 to 2 hours before a meal for effectiveness.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations on the dosage and timing of this medication to achieve optimal results.
- Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Gefitinib
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Diarrhoea or loose stools
- Skin rash, acne, or dry and itchy skin
- Nail changes, such as cracking or infection around the nail
- Loss of appetite or mild nausea
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away)
- Sudden difficulty breathing, new or worsening cough, or fever
- Severe or persistent diarrhea leading to dehydration
- Severe stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Eye pain, redness, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice) or dark urine
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, vision problems, breathing problems or taking any blood thinner like warfarin. Before undergoing any surgery, it is advised to tell the medical professional who performs the procedure about all the medicines you are taking. Some persons may experience diarrhoea as a side effect of Gefitinib, so it is advised to drink a lot of water and tell your doctor in such a case. Inform your doctor if you notice any severe side effects of Gefitinib, including shortness of breath, worsening cough, and other vision problems. You need to go to regular blood tests to check if this medicine is working fine for you. Avoid high-fibre foods, raw fruits, cereals, vegetables, and drink lots of water as Gefitinib may cause diarrhoea.
Drug Interactions
Here are the medicines that may interact with Gefitinib and affect its safety or effectiveness:
- Acid-reducing medications (such as proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, or antacids): These can lower the absorption of Gefitinib by reducing stomach acid, making the treatment less effective.
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers (like rifampicin, phenytoin, or carbamazepine): These can speed up how your body processes the medicine, lowering its levels in your blood.
- Blood thinners (like warfarin): Taking this medicine with blood thinners may increase your risk of bleeding. Your doctor may need to monitor your blood clotting times more closely.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption with Gefitinib as it may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, or difficulty in concentrating.
Pregnancy
unsafeGefitinib is restricted to use in pregnancy. A woman needs to have a negative pregnancy test before starting treatment with this medicine. It is better to use effective birth control methods to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine or at least 6 months after taking the last dose of Gefitinib.
Breast Feeding
unsafeGefitinib should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers as it passes into breast milk and may cause a possible risk to the infant.
Driving
cautionIt is not known if Gefitinib may affect your driving ability or not. Drive only if you are physically stable and mentally focussed. If you experience drowsiness after taking this medication, you should not drive or operate any machinery or vehicles.
Liver
cautionGefitinib should be taken with caution in patients dealing with liver disease. The doctor may adjust the dose according to the medical condition of the patient.
Kidney
cautionGefitinib is safe to take by patients dealing with kidney disease as prescribed by their doctor. The doctor may adjust the dose according to the medical condition of the patient.
Children
unsafeGefitinib is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Monitor your breathing: Pay close attention to any sudden breathing changes or a new dry cough, as these can be signs of a serious lung condition.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice: This fruit can interfere with how your body breaks down Gefitinib, potentially increasing the risk of side effects.
- Limit alcohol and stop smoking: Smoking can significantly reduce the level of this medicine in your blood, making it less effective. Discuss smoking cessation options with your healthcare team.
- Use reliable birth control: Both men and women taking this medicine should use effective contraception during treatment and for a specified time after the last dose to prevent pregnancy. Talk to your doctor for guidance.
- Routine blood tests are necessary: Your doctor will need to perform regular blood tests to check your liver function while you are on this medication.
Special Advise
It is suggested to avoid taking an antacid or stomach acid-reducing medicine within 6 hours after taking Gefitinib as it may make the medicine less effective if taken simultaneously.
Your doctor may suggest periodic liver function test to monitor the function of the liver due to the use of Gefitinib.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Lung cancer: It happens when cells in the lung begin to grow in an uncontrolled manner. The most common form of lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It happens when cells that form the lining of the lung start growing uncontrollably. Persons who smoke are at high risk of lung cancer. A common symptom of NSCLC is a cough that does not go easily followed by shortness of breath. Cancerous cells of the lung spread off and travel through the bloodstream to distant regions of the body and grow.
FAQs
Gefitinib is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer.
Gefitinib works by stopping the action of an abnormal protein that causes the multiplication of cancerous cells. Thereby, it prevents the spread of cancerous cells.
The most common sign of lung cancer is a cough that lasts long and gets worse with time. Sometimes, a patient may notice blood in the cough. Chest pain is also a sign of lung cancer followed by coughing.
It is suggested to avoid taking an antacid or stomach acid-reducing medicine within 6 hours after taking Gefitinib as it may make the medicine less effective if taken simultaneously.
Gefitinib is safe to be taken by a diabetic person. However, take Gefitinib only after asking a doctor as they may adjust the dosing according to the patient's condition.
Antacids and other acid-reducing medicines can reduce the absorption of Gefitinib, making it less effective. If you need to take an antacid, take it at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after your dose of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for a safe schedule.
Mild skin rashes are a common side effect. You can manage them by using gentle, fragrance-free moisturisers and avoiding hot showers. However, if the rash is severe, painful, or blistering, do not self-treat. Talk to your doctor immediately.
Yes, smoking can significantly lower the levels of Gefitinib in your blood, which can make the treatment much less effective. It is highly recommended to stop smoking while taking this medication. Talk to your doctor for help with quitting.
It is best to limit or avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Alcohol can increase the risk of liver damage and worsen stomach irritation or dehydration. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what is safe for you.
This medication is typically taken for as long as your disease remains controlled and you do not experience severe side effects. Your doctor will regularly evaluate your progress to decide how long you should continue treatment. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
No, this medicine can harm an unborn baby. Both men and women should use highly effective birth control while taking this medicine and for some time after stopping it. Talk to your doctor immediately if you are planning a family or suspect a pregnancy.
You should generally swallow the tablet whole. If you have severe trouble swallowing, the tablet can be dispersed in half a glass of non-carbonated drinking water. Stir well until it disperses and drink immediately. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for precise instructions on how to do this safely.
Watch for signs of liver damage such as yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, unusually dark urine, severe fatigue, or pain in the upper right side of your stomach. If you notice any of these, call your doctor right away.
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