strange creatures Erbitux (Intravenous) Generic Name: cetuximab (Intravenous route) se-TUX-i-mab Overview Side Effects Dosage Professional Interactions More Pregnancy Warnings Breastfeeding Warnings User Reviews Support Group Q & A Compare Alternatives Pricing & Coupons Intravenous route(Solution) Serious and potentially fatal infusion reactions may occur and require immediate interruption of the cetuximab infusion and permanent discontinuation. Cardiopulmonary arrest and/or sudden death have been reported in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with radiation therapy and cetuximab or platinum-based therapy with 5-fluorouracil and cetuximab. Monitoring of serum electrolytes during and after cetuximab therapy is recommended . Commonly used brand name(s) In the U.S. Erbitux Available Dosage Forms: Solution Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent Pharmacologic Class: Monoclonal Antibody Slideshow The Ferocity of Chemotherapy - Does The End Justify The Means? Uses For Erbitux Cetuximab injection is given with radiation treatment and other medicines to treat cancer in the colon and rectal area, and cancer in the head and neck area. This medicine is usually given to patients who have already received other cancer treatments. Cetuximab should only be used in patients with metastatic (cancer that spreads to other parts of the body) colon or rectal cancer who have had a KRAS gene mutation test. This test helps the doctor decide whether the medicine will treat their cancer. Cetuximab interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are then destroyed by the body. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by cetuximab, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, such as a skin rash, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects do not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. Before you begin treatment with cetuximab, you and your doctor should talk about the benefits this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it. This medicine will only be given by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor. Before Using Erbitux In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Allergies Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Pediatric Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of cetuximab injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Geriatric Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cetuximab injection in the elderly. Pregnancy Pregnancy Category Explanation All Trimesters C Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. Breast Feeding There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Interactions with Medicines Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine. Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. Other Medical Problems The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: Congestive heart failure, history of or Coronary artery disease, history of or Heart rhythm problems May increase your risk of having serious side effects. Fibrotic lung disease, history of or Hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood) or Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood) Use with caution. May make these conditions worse. Proper Use of Erbitux You will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins. Cetuximab needs to be given slowly, so the needle will remain in place for at least an hour. The first dose of this medicine could take 2 hours to give. You may also receive medicines (e.g., diphenhydramine) to help prevent possible allergic reactions to the injection. This medicine sometimes causes nausea and vomiting. However, it is very important that you continue to receive the medicine, even if you begin to feel ill. Ask your doctor for ways to lessen these effects. Precautions While Using Erbitux It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. Cetuximab may cause a serious side effect called an infusion reaction. This can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have a fever, chills, trouble with breathing, lightheadedness, fainting, or chest pain within a few hours after you receive it. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you are having shortness of breath, cough, difficulty with breathing, or other breathing problems while being treated with this medicine. These may be symptoms of a serious lung problem. Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin; dry skin; grooves or lines in the skin; red skin lesions; severe acne or skin rash; sores or ulcers on the skin; or fever or chills while you are using this medicine. This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen or sun-blocking lotion when you are outdoors. Wear protective clothing and hats. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. Erbitux Side Effects Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur: More common Blemishes on the skin or pimples bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet body aches or pain chills congestion cough or hoarseness deep cracks, grooves, or lines in the skin difficult or labored breathing dizziness facial swelling fever headache lower back or side pain nausea painful or difficult urination pale skin rapid weight gain runny nose severe dry skin shortness of breath skin rash tender, swollen glands in the neck tightness in the chest tingling of the hands or feet trouble with breathing on exertion trouble with swallowing unusual bleeding or bruising unusual tiredness or weakness unusual weight gain or loss voice changes vomiting weakness wheezing Less common or rare Anxiety black, tarry stools chest pain confusion decreased urination dry mouth fainting fast heartbeat increase in heart rate lightheadedness rapid, shallow breathing sore throat sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth sunken eyes swollen glands thirst wrinkled skin Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them: More common Acid or sour stomach belching burning, dry, or itching eyes diarrhea difficulty having a bowel movement (stool) discharge from the eye discoloration of the fingernails or toenails discouragement excessive tearing feeling sad or empty hair loss or thinning of the hair heartburn indigestion irritability itching skin lack or loss of appetite lack or loss of strength loss of interest or pleasure pain redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid sleeplessness stomach discomfort, upset, or pain swelling or inflammation of the mouth trouble concentrating trouble sleeping unable to sleep Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Side Effects (complete list) The information contained in the Truven Health Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you. The use of the Truven Health products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. 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Next Side Effects Print this page Add to My Med List More about Erbitux (cetuximab) Side Effects During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding Dosage Information Drug Interactions Compare Alternatives Support Group Pricing & Coupons En Español 8 Reviews Add your own review/rating Drug class: EGFR inhibitors Consumer resources Erbitux Professional resources Erbitux (AHFS Monograph) Erbitux (FDA) Related treatment guides Colorectal Cancer Head and Neck Cancer Squamous Cell Carcinoma} Drug Status Rx Availability Prescription only C Pregnancy Category Risk cannot be ruled out N/A CSA Schedule Not a controlled drug Approval History Drug history at FDA Manufacturers Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Eli Lilly and Company Drug Class EGFR inhibitors Related Drugs Head and Neck Cancer methotrexate , Opdivo , Keytruda , nivolumab , pembrolizumab , Trexall , cetuximab , More... Squamous Cell Carcinoma cetuximab , bleomycin , Blenoxane , More... Colorectal Cancer Avastin , fluorouracil , Xeloda , capecitabine , Opdivo , leucovorin , Keytruda , nivolumab , More... Erbitux Rating 8 User Reviews 6.9 /10 8 User Reviews 6.9 Rate it! Related Questions & Answers Will using Erbitux cause hair loss? Erbitux SE-What kind of face creams or lotions do you recommend for extremely dry skin? Erbitux SE? What else can I do for severe acne form rash on back, belly, arms, & face? Head and Neck Cancer - What makes Erbitux so wonderful for treating oral cancers? #1-I have multiple side effects on my first dose of erbitux.diarrhea,mouth sores ,nose? Read more questions} } understand that
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