(se TUX i mab) Brand: Erbitux
• Cetuximab is often used in combination with another cancer medications and/or radiation treatments.
• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to cetuximab or to mouse protein.
• Till receiving cetuximab, speak your doctor if you have heart rhythm problems, congestive heart failure, breathing problems, coronary artery malady, or low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood.
• After your cetuximab infusion, your doctor will need to watch you for about an hour. This is to create certain you do not have any serious side effects from the medicine.
• Some people receiving a cetuximab injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medication is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel short of breath, weak or dizzy, nauseated, itchy, or have wheezing, noisy breathing, or a hoarse voice during the injection.
• To create certain this medicine is helping your condition and not causing deleterious effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these trials. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds while you are receiving cetuximab and for at least 2 months after your treatment ends. Cetuximab can create you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
• Cetuximab is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
• Cetuximab is used to treat cancers of the colon and rectum. It is also used to treat head and neck cancer.
• Cetuximab is often used in combination with another cancer medications.
• Cetuximab may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.
• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to cetuximab or to mouse protein.
• To create certain you can safely receive cetuximab, speak your doctor if you have any of these another conditions:
· heart rhythm problems;
· lung malady or a breathing disorder;
· congestive heart failure;
· coronary artery malady (clogged arteries); or
· an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).
• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether cetuximab will harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
• Whether you are a man or a woman, use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving cetuximab, and for at least 6 months after your treatment ends.
• It is not known whether cetuximab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. You must not breast-feed a child while you are receiving cetuximab and for at least 60 days after your treatment ends. If you use a breast exhaust during this time, throw out any milk you collect. Do not feed it to your baby.
• Cetuximab is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. Cetuximab should be given slowly, and the IV infusion can take up to 2 hours to complete. You may be given another medications to prevent determined side effects while you are receiving cetuximab.
• \Cetuximab is generally given once each week for 6 to 7 weeks or before your body no longer responds to the medicine. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
• Cetuximab is often used in combination with another cancer medications and/or radiation treatments. You may receive other cancer medication 1 hour after your cetuximab injection.
• After your cetuximab infusion, your doctor will need to watch you for about an hour. This is to create certain you do not have any serious side effects from the medicine.
• If you are also being treated with radiation, you will receive your first cetuximab injection 1 week till your radiation treatment. Later doses are generally given 1 hour till radiation treatments.
• To create certain this medicine is helping your condition and not causing deleterious effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these trials. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.
• You may need to have blood trials for different weeks after your cetuximab treatment has ended.
• Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your cetuximab infusion.
• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds while you are receiving cetuximab and for at least 2 months after your treatment ends. Cetuximab can create you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
• Some people receiving a cetuximab injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medication is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel short of breath, weak or dizzy, nauseated, itchy, or have wheezing, noisy breathing, or a hoarse voice during the injection.
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
· an acne-like skin rash or any severe skin rash;
· redness, swelling, or puffiness under your skin;
· eye pain or redness, puffy eyelids, drainage or crusting in your eyes, vision problems, or heighten sensitivity to light;
· chest tightness, dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath;
· feeling like you might pass out;
· chest pain or hard feeling, pain spreading to the hand or shoulder, nausea, sweating, common ill feeling;
· fever, chills, flu symptoms, mouth and throat ulcers, rapid heart course, rapid and shallow breathing;
· feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, hard sweating, or hot and dry skin; or
· slow heart course, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop).
• Smaller serious side effects may include:
· dry, cracked, or swollen skin;
· mild itching or rash;
· changes in your fingernails or toenails;
· headache;
· diarrhea;
· mild nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;
· sore throat;
· weight loss; or
· weakness.
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
• There may be another drugs that can interact with cetuximab. Speak your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal commodity. Do not start a new medicine without telling your doctor.
• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about cetuximab.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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