Cetuximab injection

What is Cetuximab injection?

CETUXIMAB (Erbitux™) is a monoclonal antibody. A monoclonal antibody is a protein that reacts with a specific site on a cell. Cetuximab targets a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This protein is found on the surface of normal cells (such as skin cells and hair cells) and some types of cancer cells including colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer. Cetuximab works by interfering with how these tumor cells grow and causes these cells to die. Generic cetuximab injections are not available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive Cetuximab?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart disease such as coronary artery disease or heart failure

• irregular heart beat or heart arrhythmia

• lung disease, especially lung fibrosis

• an unusual reaction to Cetuximab, mouse proteins, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Cetuximab is for infusion into a vein. It is administered in a hospital or clinic setting by a health care professional. Continue a regular schedule of doses, usually given as a weekly infusion.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss a dose. Notify your prescriber or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What drug(s) may interact with Cetuximab?

There have been no drug interactions reported during cetuximab treatment.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Cetuximab?

During the infusion of cetuximab, you may experience changes in your breathing, fever, chills, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects are more common with the first infusion. If you start to experience any of these side effects, notify your health care professional right away.

In a small number of patients, cetuximab has caused or worsened lung disease. If you notice difficulty breathing, increased shortness of breath, or other changes in your breathing, notify your health care provider.

Cetuximab commonly causes skin reactions including a rash that looks like acne, skin dryness and cracking, redness, swelling and other signs of inflammation that can result in skin infections. These reactions may require treatment with antibiotics. Notify your prescriber if you notice any rash, and especially if it seems to get worse or does not get better. You should wear sunscreen and hats and limit your sun exposure (including exposure in tanning beds) while receiving cetuximab. Sunlight can worsen the skin reactions while receiving cetuximab therapy.

There is a possibility that cetuximab could cause harm to an unborn child. If you are pregnant or considering getting pregnant, talk to your health care provider about the risks of cetuximab therapy. Discuss possible methods of birth control.

Using cetuximab might cause a decrease in your bodies electrolytes, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. You might get regular blood tests to make sure your electrolyte levels are okay. Symptoms of decreased electrolytes are extreme tiredness or weakness and pain, tingling, or numbness of the hands or feet. If you start to experience any of these side effects, notify your health care professional right away.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Cetuximab?

The side effects you may experience depend on the dose of cetuximab, other types of chemotherapy or radiation therapy given, and the health condition being treated. Not all of the listed side effects occur in every patients. Discuss any concerns or questions with your prescriber or health care professional.

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath anytime during your treatments

• extreme tiredness or weakness

• eye inflammation

• mouth sores

• pain, tingling, or numbness of the hands or feet

• reactions during infusion of the drug (especially difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath, hives, faintness and/or dizziness)

• skin rash, redness, or severe dry skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• abdominal pain

• constipation

• decreased appetite

• diarrhea

• fatigue, tiredness, or weakness

• fever, chills (usually during the infusion of the drug)

• hair loss

• headache

• heartburn or indigestion

• itching

• nausea/vomiting

• pain

• weight loss

Where can I keep my medicine?

This does not apply; you will only receive this medication in your prescriber's office or clinic.