GEFITINIB

(ge FI ti nib) Brand: Iressa

What is the most significant information I must know about gefitinib?

• Gefitinib must only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

• Serious side effects have been reported with the use of gefitinib including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or person; or hives); lung problems; liver problems; eye problems; severe nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or diarrhea; and others. Conversation to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with gefitinib.

What is gefitinib?

• Gefitinib is a cancer chemotherapy medicine. Gefitinib interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

• Gefitinib is used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

• Gefitinib may also be used for purposes another than those listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking gefitinib?

• Do not use gefitinib without first talking to your doctor if you have

· liver malady; or

· lung or breathing problems (other than lung cancer).

• You may not be able to take gefitinib, or you may require a dosage adjustment or particular monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.

• Gefitinib is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that it is known to be deleterious to an unborn child. Do not use gefitinib without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Birth control must be used during treatment with gefitinib.

• It is not known whether gefitinib passes into breast milk. Do not take gefitinib without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How must I use gefitinib?

• Gefitinib must only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

• Take every doze of gefitinib with a full glass of water.

• Gefitinib can be taken with or without food.

• Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with gefitinib depending upon the type of cancer being treated and another factors. Conversation to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

• It is significant to take gefitinib regularly to get the most benefit.

• Your doctor may want you to have blood trials and another medical evaluations during treatment with gefitinib to monitor progress and side effects.

• Your healthcare provider will store gefitinib as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing gefitinib at house, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Contact your doctor if you miss a doze of gefitinib.

What happens if I overdose?

• If an overdose of gefitinib is suspected, search abnormal medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

• Symptoms of a gefitinib overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medicine, although often more severe.

What must I avoid while using gefitinib?

• There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity during treatment with gefitinib unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of gefitinib?

• If you experience any of the next serious side effects from gefitinib, contact your doctor immediately:

· an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or person; or hives);

· lung problems (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, heighten coughing, fever, or chest pain);

· severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or diarrhea; or

· eye pain or irritation.

• Another, smaller serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking gefitinib and conversation to your doctor if you experience:

· mild to temperate nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or diarrhea;

· skin rash, dryness, itching, or acne; or

· weakness.

• Another side effects have also been reported. Discuss with your doctor any side effect that occurs during treatment with gefitinib. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect gefitinib?

• Till taking gefitinib, speak your doctor if you are taking any another medicines, especially any of the following:

· warfarin (Coumadin);

· rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane);

· phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek);

· ketoconazole (Nizoral);

· itraconazole (Sporanox); or

· a stomach acid reducer such as cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB), ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), and others.

• You may not be able to take gefitinib, or you may require a dosage adjustment or particular monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

• Much another drugs may interact with gefitinib. Conversation to your doctor and pharmacist till taking any another prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your healthcare provider may have additional information about gefitinib that you may read.

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.

Disclaim: Each effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses external of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.