Erbitux

Generic Name: cetuximab (seh TUX ih mab)
Brand Names: Erbitux

What is Erbitux?

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Erbitux is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Erbitux is used to treat cancers of the colon and rectum. It is also used to treat head and neck cancer. It may be used alone or along with radiation treatments or other medicines.

Erbitux may also be used for other purposes not listed here.

Important information about Erbitux

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to cetuximab or to mouse protein.

Before receiving Erbitux, tell your doctor if you have heart rhythm problems, congestive heart failure, breathing problems, or coronary artery disease. Tell your doctor if you are also being treated with cisplatin (Platinol).

After you receive this medicine, your doctor will need to watch you for about an hour. This is to make sure you do not have any serious side effects from the medicine.

Some people receiving a Erbitux injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel short of breath, weak or dizzy, nauseated, itchy, or have wheezing, noisy breathing, or a hoarse voice during the injection.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor. You may need to have blood tests for several weeks after your Erbitux treatment has ended.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds) while you are receiving Erbitux and for at least 2 months after your treatment ends. Erbitux can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

Before receiving Erbitux

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to cetuximab or to mouse protein.

Before receiving Erbitux, tell your doctor if you have:

heart rhythm problems;
lung disease or a breathing disorder;
congestive heart failure; or
coronary artery disease (clogged arteries).

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Erbitux.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Whether you are a man or a woman, use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving Erbitux, and for at least 6 months after your treatment ends. You should not breast-feed a baby while you are receiving Erbitux and for at least 60 days after your treatment ends.

How is Erbitux given?

Erbitux is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion pump, and can take up to 2 hours to complete.

After your Erbitux infusion, your doctor will need to watch you for about an hour. This is to make sure you do not have any serious side effects from the medicine.

If you are also being treated with radiation, you will receive Erbitux one week before your radiation treatment.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

You may need to have blood tests for several weeks after your Erbitux treatment has ended.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Erbitux infusion.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a Erbitux overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while receiving Erbitux?

Erbitux side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

an acne-like skin rash or any severe skin rash;
slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop);
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
easy bruising or bleeding;
urinating more or less than usual;
hot dry skin with weakness or dizziness;
confusion; or
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips.

Less serious side effects may include:

dry, cracked, or swollen skin;
changes in your fingernails or toenails;
headache;
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
diarrhea, constipation;
dry mouth, trouble swallowing;
cough or sore throat;
weight loss; or
weakness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect Erbitux?

There may be other drugs that can interact with Erbitux. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about Erbitux.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.