Manufacturer: AstraZeneca
Salt Composition : Gefitinib(250mg)
Iressa 250mg Tablet can be taken with or without food, but better to have it same time every day for better results. You should continue to take it as long as your doctor advises for it. The duration of treatment varies according to your need and response to treatment. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, rash, vomiting and weight loss. It may cause severe diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids or consult with your doctor if it bothers you. It makes you sensitive towards sunlight, hence wear protective clothing or use sunscreen while going out. In case you develop ulceration in mouth, changes in your vision, or breathing difficulties than it is better to inform the doctor. Your doctor may advise for regular monitoring of liver function while you are taking this medicine.
Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy. If you have to take an antacid or any other medicine, take it at a gap of at least 2 hours after taking the cancer medicine.
Iressa 250mg Tablet is an anti-cancer medication. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps to stop or slow the spread of cancer cells.
A high clearance of gefitinib might result in drug resistance by lowering drug concentration. The enhanced efflux and decreased uptake by transporters were important resistance mechanisms. The transporters involved in pharmacokinetics of gefitinib consist of the ATP-binding cassette and the solute carrier superfamily.
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Iressa
Diarrhea
Dry skin
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Rash
Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
Vomiting
Weakness
Weight loss
Gefitinib is contraindicated during breast-feeding and therefore breast-feeding must be discontinued while receiving gefitinib therapy (see section 4.3). During treatment with gefitinib, asthenia has been reported. Therefore, patients who experience this symptom should be cautious when driving or using machines.
Iressa 250mg Tablet is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Iressa 250mg Tablet.
Iressa 250mg Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Gefitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used as first-line therapy to treat non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) that meets certain genetic mutation criteria. Gefitinib (originally coded ZD1839) is a drug used in the treatment of certain types of cancer.
Some products that may interact with this drug are: "blood thinners" (warfarin), drugs which reduce stomach acid (such as ranitidine, cimetidine, famotidine, omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole), vinorelbine, NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen), corticosteroids (such as prednisone).
Do not chew, crush or break it. Iressa 250mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Store below 30°C
If you miss a dose of Iressa 250mg Tablet, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Iressa 250mg Tablet helps treat non-small cell lung cancer that is locally advanced, or has spread to other areas of the body.
Take it with or without food, preferably at the same time each day.
Do not take antacids (to reduce the acid level of your stomach) 2 hours before or 1 hour after taking this medicine.
Diarrhea may occur as a side effect. Drink plenty of fluids and inform your doctor if it doesn't stop or if you find blood in your stools.
Use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine and for a month after you stop taking it.
Inform your doctor if you develop ulceration in your mouth, changes in your vision or if you experience a worsening cough, shortness of breath, or breathing difficulties while taking this medicine.
Your doctor may want you to have regular blood tests to monitor your liver function while you are having treatment with this medicine.
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Iressa 250mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
