Lapatinib
About Lapatinib
Lapatinib is a prescription medicine used to treat specific types of advanced or metastatic breast cancer. It is specifically designed to target cancer cells that produce too much of a protein called HER2. Doctors typically prescribe this medicine in combination with other chemotherapy or hormone therapy drugs to help slow down the spread of the disease.
For this medication to work effectively, you must take it consistently every day at the same time. It is crucial to take Lapatinib on an empty stomach, either at least 1 hour before or 1 hour after eating a meal. To support your body during treatment, it is helpful to drink plenty of fluids and make dietary adjustments to manage potential digestive changes.
While taking Lapatinib, you may experience common side effects such as mild diarrhoea, skin rashes, or feeling sick to your stomach. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe diarrhoea, extreme tiredness, or signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Do not take this if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have a history of heart problems, liver disease, or electrolyte imbalances. This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women, as it can harm an unborn baby.
Certain medications, alcohol, and smoking can alter how your body processes this medicine, potentially causing severe side effects or making the treatment less effective. If you are breastfeeding or are an older adult, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss specific safety measures before starting Lapatinib.
Uses of Lapatinib
Medicinal Benefits
Lapatinib helps treat certain types of cancer by blocking signals that promote cancer cell growth and spread. With regular use as prescribed, it helps control disease progression, provides the convenience of oral therapy, and enhances the effectiveness of combination treatment.
- Helps Slow Cancer Progression: By targeting the pathways that drive cancer cell growth and multiplication, this medicine helps slow the progression of the disease and supports better tumour control.
- Convenient Oral Treatment: As an oral tablet, this medicine can be taken at home as directed by your healthcare provider, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits for intravenous treatment.
- Enhances Combination Therapy: When used with other prescribed anticancer medicines, this medicine works together to improve treatment effectiveness, strengthen disease control, and support better overall treatment outcomes.
Directions for Use
- Lapatinib can be taken 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal.
- It is advised to take Lapatinib once daily or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, chew or crush Lapatinib.
Storage
Side Effects of Lapatinib
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Diarrhoea or loose stools
- Nausea, vomiting, or mild stomach discomfort
- Dry, red, peeling, or painful skin on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet
- Mild skin rash, dry skin, or itching
- Feeling unusually tired or weak
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Severe or ongoing diarrhoea, which can lead to severe dehydration
- Signs of liver damage, including yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe pain in the upper right side of your stomach
- New or worsening shortness of breath, a persistent cough, or swelling in your ankles or feet
- A fast, pounding, or fluctuating heartbeat, or feeling dizzy and lightheaded
- Severe, widespread skin rash with blistering, peeling, or painful sores
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Always inspect your tablets before taking them; do not take any tablets that are broken, chipped, or discoloured.
- Do not take this medicine with food, as eating significantly increases the absorption of the drug and can cause severe side effects.
- Ensure you attend all scheduled appointments for blood tests and heart scans, as your doctor must regularly check your liver and heart health.
- Keep an anti-diarrheal medication handy, and start taking it at the first sign of loose stools as previously instructed by your doctor.
- Inform all your healthcare providers, including dentists and pharmacists, that you are taking Lapatinib before starting any new treatments or procedures.
Drug Interactions
- Antifungal medicines (like ketoconazole): May increase the level of Lapatinib in your blood, raising the risk of severe side effects.
- Seizure medications (like carbamazepine or phenytoin): Can lower the level of Lapatinib, making your cancer treatment less effective.
- Certain heart or blood pressure medicines: May increase the risk of irregular heart rhythms when combined with this medicine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAlcohol intake might increase the risk of worsening your condition. Hence, avoid alcohol consumption till your condition improves.
Pregnancy
unsafeLapatinib is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before taking Lapatinib. Use reliable methods of birth control while on treatment with Lapatinib.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid nursing your child while on treatment with Lapatinib as it can cause serious side effects to the newborn baby.
Driving
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Lapatinib will affect your mental ability to drive or operate machines. Hence, consult your doctor for information regarding this.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor if you have any pre-existing liver disease. Your doctor may adjust the dose of the medicine based on the condition. Lapatinib is known to cause hepatotoxicity in some patients. If you notice any reactions such as itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain, unusual bleeding, or pale or dark stools, discontinue the treatment and inform your doctor immediately.
Kidney
cautionLimited data are available on the effect of Lapatinib in kidney-impaired patients. Hence, if you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor.
Children
unsafeLapatinib is not recommended for use in children as the safety and efficacy are not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and clear broths throughout the day, especially if you experience loose stools, to replace lost fluids and prevent dehydration.
- Avoid grapefruit products: Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice, as they can cause the medicine to build up to dangerous levels in your body.
- Protect your skin: Use mild, fragrance-free soaps and moisturisers. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors, as your skin may be highly sensitive to light and prone to dryness.
- Eat bland, small meals: If you experience mild nausea, try eating smaller portions of bland foods like crackers, toast, or bananas rather than large, heavy, or greasy meals.
Special Advise
- Avoid intercourse while on treatment with Lapatinib.
- Regular, complete blood count monitoring is advised during the treatment.
- All patients should be tested for HER2 test before starting the treatment regimen.
- Liver function tests (LFT) should be performed before starting the treatment and every 4 to 6 weeks during the treatment.
- This medicine should be taken only once daily as prescribed by the doctor. Do not divide the dose of the medicine.
- Regular ECG and electrolytes should be monitored while taking the medicine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Breast Cancer: Breast cancer is a type of cancer with abnormal growth in the cells of the breast. There are different kinds of breast cancer, such as cancer occurring in lobules (glands that produce milk), ducts of the breast (the pathway that brings milk from glands to the nipple), and in the fatty tissue or the fibrous connective tissue within the breast. Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, breast pain, redness, swelling, nipple discharge other than breast milk, bloody discharge, a lump or swelling under the arm, unexplained change in shape, size or appearance of the breast, peeling, flaking or scaling of the skin.
FAQs
Lapatinib is used to treat breast cancer.
Lapatinib contains Lapatinib, which works by inhibiting the excess production of a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in mammalian cells. This causes inhibition of the cancer cell growth.
Inform your doctor whether you have received any other breast cancer treatment. Lapatinib may cause left ventricular ejection fraction, hypersensitivity reactions, hepatotoxicity, severe diarrhea, and embryo-fetal toxicity during the treatment. Hence, inform your oncologist if you have any cardiovascular conditions, liver/kidney disease, are pregnant, are planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding before taking Lapatinib.
Hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity) has been reported in clinical studies and postmarketing experience with Lapatinib. Hepatotoxicity can be fatal, and deaths have been reported. The cause of death is unknown. If you have upper stomach pain, itching, dark urine, clay-coloured faeces, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), inform your doctor immediately.
Lapatinib may cause side effects such as diarrhoea, fatigue, nausea, rash, indigestion, loss of appetite, headache, vomiting, weakness, mouth sores, hair loss, dry skin, myalgia, and allergic reactions. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor.
Lapatinib is an anti-cancer medicine used in the treatment of breast cancer.
Yes, Lapatinib can be given in combination with other anti-cancer drugs if prescribed by the doctor. Talk to the doctor if you have any concerns.
Swallow Lapatinib whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet. Take it on an empty stomach, either at least 1 hour before or at least 1 hour after food, because taking it with food increases absorption and may increase the risk of side effects.
Diarrhoea is a common side effect of Lapatinib. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and follow your doctor's advice regarding anti-diarrhoeal medicines if needed. Contact your doctor immediately if the diarrhoea is severe, lasts longer than 24 hours, is accompanied by fever, or causes signs of dehydration. Do not stop taking Lapatinib without consulting your doctor.
Yes. Lapatinib can cause skin problems such as dry skin, rash, redness, or hand-foot syndrome. To help protect your skin, use a gentle soap-free cleanser, apply fragrance-free moisturisers, use sunscreen, and avoid excessive sun exposure. If you develop severe, painful, blistering, or widespread skin reactions, contact your doctor immediately.
Before starting Lapatinib, the doctor may advise heart and liver function tests.
This medicine can sometimes lower the pumping strength of your heart or cause irregular heartbeats. Your doctor will perform heart scans before and during your treatment to monitor your heart health. If you experience shortness of breath, swelling in your ankles, or a racing heartbeat, contact your doctor right away. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
It is best to avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Alcohol can increase the strain on your liver and worsen side effects like nausea or dizziness. If you choose to drink, consult your healthcare provider first. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for safe lifestyle guidelines.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice interfere with the natural enzymes in your body that break down this medication. This can cause the medicine to build up to unsafe, toxic levels in your blood, significantly increasing the risk of serious side effects. Avoid all grapefruit products during your treatment. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need alternative dietary tips.
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