Lapatinib
Description
Lapatinib is an anticancer medicine used in the treatment of breast cancer. Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. This medicine helps in controlling abnormal cell growth by stopping the multiplication of cancer cells, thus causing them to die. This medicine may be given in combination with other medicines as a part of your chemotherapy (the use of medicines to treat cancer).
Lapatinib can cause side effects like fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. Most of them are temporary and resolve with time. Consult your doctor if these side effects are bothering you for a long time or getting worse. Avoid driving vehicles and operating machines after taking this medicine, as it can make you feel dizzy.
Lapatinib should be taken before a meal or as instructed by your doctor. Your dose and duration of treatment will be decided by your doctor based on your clinical condition. Take it at the same time daily for the ease of remembering. Avoid taking more than the recommended dose as it may increase the risk of serious side effects. Take this medicine for the recommended duration. Avoid the discontinuation of this medicine without consulting your doctor, as your condition may become worse.
Lapatinib is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor about your current medicines and medical conditions before taking this medicine. This will help your doctor adjust the dose to avoid side effects. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Lapatinib
- Decreased appetite or loss of appetite
- Difficulty in breathing
- Stomach pain
- Back pain or Joint pain
- Clay colored stools
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Yellow eyes or skin
- Dark urine
- Headache
- Severe diarrhoea
- Fatigue
- Skin rash
- Nausea or vomiting
Uses of Lapatinib
What is it prescribed for?
- Breast cancer
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Lapatinib to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe time duration for which Lapatinib 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 for Lapatinib.
- Usage in pregnancy?Lapatinib is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it may cause harm to the developing foetus. Hence consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Due to the lack of safety information, Lapatinib is not recommended for use while breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Lapatinib if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Lapatinib is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it may cause harm to the developing foetus. Hence consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Due to the lack of safety information, Lapatinib is not recommended for use while breastfeeding.
General warnings
Blood cell count
Lapatinib may lower the white blood cell and platelet (blood clot-forming cells) counts, which can make you more prone to infection and bleeding. Your doctor may closely monitor your complete blood cell counts during treatment with this medicine.
Driving or operating machines
Lapatinib may cause dizziness in some cases. Hence avoid performing activities that require mental alertness, such as driving vehicles or operating machines, if you feel dizzy during treatment with this medicine.
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions
Lapatinib should be used with caution as it may cause severe cutaneous (skin) adverse reactions in some cases. Hence limit your exposure to sunlight and wear sunscreen and protective clothing, as exposure to sunlight may aggravate such conditions.
Severe diarrhoea
Lapatinib may cause severe diarrhoea in some cases. Consult your doctor if it persists or worsens.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Lapatinib as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose of Lapatinib.
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
Clonazepam
Omeprazole
Teriflunomide
Digoxin
Cisapride
Disease interactions
Cardiac Dysfunction
QT prolongation is a condition in which your heart muscles take a longer time to recharge between a heartbeat. Lapatinib may cause QT prolongation and should be used with extreme caution if you have heart problems.
Lung impairment
Lapatinib should be used with extreme caution if you have lung problems as this medicine may cause pulmonary toxicity (damage to the lungs).
Liver impairment
Lapatinib should be used with extreme caution if you have liver problems as this medicine may cause liver toxicity. Your doctor may recommend dose adjustments based on your clinical condition.
Kidney impairment
Lapatinib should be used with caution if you have kidney problems. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Lapatinib as instructed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than the prescribed dose. Drink plenty of water with it to avoid stomach irritation.
Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor, as it may worsen your condition.
Lapatinib may cause severe diarrhoea. Consult your doctor if it persists or worsens.
Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you feel dizzy after taking Lapatinib.
Throw away unused medicine safely after the expiry date. Keep it away from children and pets.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Lapatinib helps in controlling abnormal cell growth by stopping the multiplication of cancer cells, thus causing them to die.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antineoplastics, HER2 inhibitors, EGFR inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
Drugs, H., 2022. Lapatinib: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 1 April 2022].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. Lapatinib. [online] Available at: [Accessed 1 April 2022].
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 1 April 2022].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 1 April 2022].
2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 1 April 2022].
Ema.europa.eu. 2022. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 April 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 20 Sep 2022
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.