Cetuximab

Description

Cetuximab is an anticancer medicine that is used alone or in a combination with other medicines for the treatment of colorectal cancer and cancer of the head and neck. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Cetuximab

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Skin Reactions
  • Headache
  • Low magnesium levels
  • Infections
  • Dizziness
  • Cough
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness

Uses of Cetuximab

What is it prescribed for?

  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Head and Neck Cancer
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
  • Duration of effect
    The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding for a specific period of time or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to cetuximab or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding for a specific period of time or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings

Infusion related reactions

This medicine has been associated with severe infusion-related reactions, characterized by symptoms such as fever, chills, rigors, low blood pressure, hives, swelling, etc. The onset of these reactions usually ranges from 30 minutes to 2 hours after starting the first intravenous infusion. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Skin reactions

Use of this medicine may increase the risk of severe skin reactions. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient. Treatment may be discontinued in case of severe skin reactions.

Infections

This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of severe and potentially life-threatening infections occurring due to bone marrow suppression. Report any unusual symptoms such as a fever, diarrhea, sore throat, pain or burning during urination, etc. to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of clinical condition, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases.

Electrolyte disturbances

This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of electrolyte depletion especially magnesium levels. Decreased Potassium and Calcium levels have also been reported with this medicine. Close monitoring of clinical condition, appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases.

Lung toxicity

This medicine may increase the risk of toxic effects on the lungs and could lead to respiratory failure. The lung toxicity is dose-related and close monitoring of lung function is recommended during the therapy with this medicine. Any symptoms of lung toxicity should be informed to the doctor on priority. The treatment should be discontinued if such symptoms appear.

Cardiovascular disorders

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from diseases of the heart due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of heart function and vital signs is recommended for such patients. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.

Eye disorders

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with eye disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring is recommended for such patients. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.

Use in Children

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.

Contraception

Use of this medicine may increase the risk of harm to the unborn baby in pregnant women. Effective contraception is advised for the women with the childbearing potential to avoid such risks. Birth controls should be administered while receiving this medicine and for 2 months post-therapy to prevent the pregnancy.

Missed Dose

This medicine is usually given in a clinical setting so the likelihood of missing a dose is very less. If you miss any chemotherapy session you should contact your doctor immediately and fix an appointment as recommended by your doctor.

Overdose

Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Thalidomide

Proton pump inhibitors

Fluorouracil

Cisplatin

Disease interactions

Cardiac Dysfunction

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from diseases of the heart due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of heart function and vital signs is recommended for such patients. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.

Skin diseases

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from diseases of the skin due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring is recommended for such patients. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.

Eye disorder

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with eye disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring is recommended for such patients. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition. Treatment may be discontinued if the eye disorders worsen.

Lung Toxicity

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of interstitial lung disease presenting with acute onset of new or progressive unexplained pulmonary symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and fever pending diagnostic evaluation due to the increased risk of the lung toxicity. Appropriate dose adjustments and frequent clinical monitoring are advised in such cases. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Kidney Disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with severe renal dysfunction due to increased risk of worsening of the condition. Close monitoring of renal function, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Electrolyte imbalance

This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of electrolyte depletion especially magnesium levels. Decreased Potassium and Calcium levels have also been reported with this medicine. Close monitoring of clinical condition, appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the hospital or clinical setting. Inform the doctor if you have a known history of allergy to this medicine. Report to the doctor all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements as well as your medical conditions before receiving this medicine. Any signs and symptoms of heart and lung dysfunction should be reported to the doctor on priority.
Miscelleneous

Usage does not depend on food timings

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
It works by preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Monoclonal antibodies, Antineoplastics, EGFR inhibitors

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 20 December 2018]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8bc6397e-4bd8-4d37-a007-a327e4da34d9

[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 20 December 2018]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/317#

Cetuximab - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 20 December 2018]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00002

[Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 20 December 2018]. Available from:

https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2010-PI-01421-3

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Information on this page was last updated on 30 Jan 2019

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.