CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET contains Gefitinib which belongs to the group of medicines called Antineoplastics. It is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have activating mutation of the EGFR-TK.
It is generally characterized by symptoms such as chest pain or discomfort, persistent cough, trouble breathing, wheezing, tiredness and difficulty while swallowing which may be diagnosed as any of its type as adenocarcinoma (cancer involving the outer part of the lung), squamous cell carcinoma (cancer occurring in the centre part of the lungs), and large cell carcinoma (cancer that can occur in any part of the lung).
Along with this treatment, your doctor might ask you to take liver function test to assess your liver function.
CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET is not recommended for use in patients allergic to Gefitinib. Before taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you have other lung problems, liver, or kidney problems.
CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (below 18 years). Consult your doctor before taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET.
The most common side effects of taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET are diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, skin reactions, loss of appetite, weakness, and red or sore mouth. Consult with your doctor if any of the symptoms worsen.
CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET works by decreasing the survival rate and proliferation of malignant cancer cells in lung tissues by blocking a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) which is responsible for the growth and spread of cancer cell thereby preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body.
Take CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.
Stop taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
Nausea or Vomiting:
Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oily, fried, and spicy foods. Do not perform any strenuous activities immediately after eating. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.
Constipation:
Eat plenty of fiber rich foods such as vegetables, fresh fruits, and cereals and drink plenty of water while taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET. Exercise more regularly. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.
Diarrhea:
Drink a lot of fluids, such as water, squash, or fruit juice to keep yourself hydrated. Do not take any medicine on your own for treating diarrhea without consulting your doctor.
CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may harm the baby. Consult your doctor before taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET.
CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women as it is unsafe to the baby. Consult your doctor before taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET.
If you feel weak while taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET, consult your doctor before driving or using tools or machines.
Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET since it may increase the risk of liver damage.
CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients having kidney problems. Consult your doctor before taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET.
CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients having liver problems. Consult your doctor before taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET.
Do not take CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET if you are allergic to Gefitinib or to any other ingredients of this medicine.
CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients having other lung disease. Consult your doctor before taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET.
Use in pediatrics:
CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (below 18 years). Consult your doctor before taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET.
Use in geriatrics:
CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years and above). Consult your doctor before taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET.
A. Drug - Drug Interactions:
Before taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.
Drug | : | Gefitinib |
Pharmacological Category | : | Antineoplastic agents |
Therapeutic Indication | : | Non-small cell lung cancer |
Dosage Forms | : | Tablet |
What is CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET and why is it given?
CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET contains Gefitinib which belongs to the group of medicines called as Antineoplastic agents. It is used in adults to treat non-small cell lung cancer in which malignant cells form in the lung tissue.
What are the most common side effects of CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET?
The most common side effects of taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET are diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, skin reactions, loss of appetite, weakness, and red or sore mouth. Consult with your doctor if any of the symptoms worsen.
Can CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET be used in children?
No. CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (below 18 years). If CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET is accidentally ingested by a child or adolescent, go to the hospital immediately and consult the doctor for further management.
Is CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women?
CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant and breast-feeding women since it might cause harm to the foetus and nursing child. Consult your doctor before taking CHEMOGEF 250MG TABLET.
1. KD. Tripathi. Anticancer Drugs. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page – 870.
2. Gefitinib. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. Pubchem. [Revised in June 2022] [Accessed on 15th June 2022] https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Gefitinib#section=Mechanism-of-Action
3. Yasoo Sugiura, Etsuo Nemoto, Osamu Kawai,Yasuyuki Ohkubo, Hisae Fusegawa, and Shizuka Kaseda. Gefitinib frequently induces liver damage in patients with lung adenocarcinoma previously treated by chemotherapy. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. PMC PubMed Central. June 2013. [Accessed on 15th June 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5217440/
4. Cipla (EU) Limited. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in May 2022] [Accessed on 15th June 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.10456.pdf
5. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP Wilmington. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. [Revised in August 2018] [Accessed on 15th June 2022] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/021688s017lbl.pdf
Written By Dr. Janet.C, Pharm.D
Last updated on 26 Nov 2022 | 01:29 PM(IST)
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