Cetuxim
Cetuxim Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Mechanism of Action, How Long Does it Take to Work? Cetuxim is a brand name. Its generic name is Cetuximab.
Introduction
Cetuxim (INN, marketed under the brand name Erbitux by Merck/MSD) is a chimeric mouse/human monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of certain types of cancer. It is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, targeting proteins that play a role in cancer cell growth and survival.Uses
Cetuxim is approved by the FDA to be used in combination with radiation therapy to treat certain head and neck cancers (locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck). In the European Union, it is also indicated for the treatment of EGFR-expressing, metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with chemotherapy (irinotecan, fluorouracil and leucovorin) in patients who are not eligible for treatment with curative intent.Mechanism of Action
Cetuxim binds to the extracellular domain of EGFR and prevents ligand binding. As a result, EGFR signaling is inhibited, resulting in decreased tumor cell proliferation and increased programmed cell death (apoptosis).How Long Does it Take to Work?
The time it takes for cetuximab to start having an effect on tumors will vary from person to person. Generally, it may take several weeks before a patient begins to see the full effects of the drug.Absorption
Cetuxim is poorly absorbed after oral administration. It is rapidly cleared from the plasma following intravenous (IV) administration, with a plasma elimination half-life of approximately 7 hours.Route of Elimination
Cetuxim is eliminated mainly via the liver, with approximately 50% of the drug excreted in the bile and the remainder excreted mainly via the urine.Dosage
Cetuxim is typically administered via intravenous infusion. The recommended dose for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer is 400 mg/m2 as an initial dose followed by 250 mg/ m2once every two weeks. The recommended dose for the treatment of head and neck cancer is 500 mg/m2 with weekly radiation sessions for up to 7 weeks.Administration
Cetuxim should be administered only as an IV infusion. The infusion should be administered over a period of no less than 120 minutes to avoid potential side effects.Side Effects
Common side effects of cetuximab include: skin rash, nausea, diarrhea, stomatitis, and infusion reactions.Toxicity
Cetuxim is generally well tolerated and serious toxicity is infrequent. The most common side effects are usually mild to moderate in severity and can often be managed without interrupting therapy.Precautions
Patients receiving cetuximab should be monitored for signs of toxicities including cardiac, gastrointestinal, and hematologic. Patients with pre-existing heart conditions should also have their cardiac status assessed before beginning treatment.Interactions
Cetuxim may interact with other medications and herbal products, so it is important to tell your provider about all the medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.Disease Interactions
Cetuxim may interact with certain diseases, so it is important to tell your provider about any illnesses or pre-existing conditions that you have.Drug Interactions
Cetuxim may interact with certain drugs, so it is important to tell your provider about all the drugs you are taking, including any over-the-counter or prescription medications.Food Interactions
Cetuxim should be taken on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after meals.Pregnancy Use
Cetuxim should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks. It is not known whether cetuximab is excreted into human milk and could potentially cause harm to a nursing infant. Therefore, women who are nursing should not take cetuximab.Lactation Use
Women who are nursing should not take cetuximab.Acute Overdose
In the event of an acute overdose, supportive care and symptomatic treatment should be given.Contraindications
Cetuxim should not be used in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to cetuximab or any of its components.Use Directions
Cetuxim should be administered according to the product label under the supervision of a healthcare provider.Storage Conditions
Cetuxim should be stored at temperatures between 2°C and 8°C.Volume of Distribution
The volume of distribution of cetuximab is approximately 8.9 L.Half Life
The half-life of cetuximab is approximately 7 hours.Clearance
The clearance of cetuximab is approximately 3.7 L/hour.Here you find in details version of Cetuxim
Some Frequently Asked Questions About Cetuxim
https://www.medicinesfaq.com/brand/cetuxim,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/viewer.fcgi?val=J00228,
http://www.genome.jp/dbget-bin/www_bget?drug:D03455,
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?sid=46507042,
https://mor.nlm.nih.gov/RxNav/search?searchBy=RXCUI&searchTerm=318341,
https://www.ebi.ac.uk/chembldb/index.php/compound/inspect/CHEMBL1201577,
http://bidd.nus.edu.sg/group/cjttd/ZFTTDDRUG.asp?ID=DNC000788,
http://www.pharmgkb.org/drug/PA10040,
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/erbitux.htm,
https://www.drugs.com/cdi/cetuximab.html,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetuximab,