We know that undergoing cancer treatment is not an easy task. It is very important to be fully informed about the medications you are given during this journey. Today we are going to talk about one such specific medication. That is Afatinib. Your doctor may have given you this medication under the brand name GILOTRIF. Let's talk briefly about what this medication is for, how to use it, and what you need to be careful about.
What is Afatinib?
Simply put, Afatinib is a specific drug that stops the growth of cancer cells. We call these types of drugs "targeted therapy." That is, this drug goes directly to target certain proteins in cancer cells and stops them from working. This stops the cancer cells from dividing and growing.
Afatinib is mainly used to treat a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer . It is not a medicine for everyone; it will only be prescribed if your doctor decides that this medicine is right for you after testing the genetic characteristics of your cancer.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is very important to tell your doctor about your complete health history before starting treatment with afatinib. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- Eye diseases, vision problems: Tell us if you have any eye diseases, poor vision, or if you use contact lenses .
- Heart disease: If there is any problem with the heart.
- Kidney disease: If there are problems with kidney function.
- Liver disease: If you have any liver disease.
- Lung or respiratory disease: If you have other respiratory problems or lung diseases in addition to your current cancer.
- Stomach or intestinal problems: If you have conditions like stomach ulcers.
- Allergies: If you have an allergy to afatinib or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant , trying to become pregnant , or breastfeeding , it is essential to inform your doctor before starting treatment.
How to use the medicine correctly?
To get the most out of your medication, it is important to take it exactly as prescribed.
1. Take on an empty stomach: This is the most important thing. Afatinib tablets should always be taken at least one hour before or two hours after a meal . Taking this medicine with food may reduce its absorption into the body. Therefore, take it on an empty stomach to get the full effect of the medicine.
2. Take with water: Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not break or crush the tablet.
3. Take it on time: Make it a habit to take your medicine at the same time every day, as prescribed by your doctor.
4. If you miss a dose: If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if your next dose is due in less than 12 hours , skip the missed dose. Just take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a forgotten dose.
Very important: If you have any suspicion that you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Therefore, never share it with anyone else.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Afatinib can interact with some other medications, herbal products, and foods. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take, even vitamins.
| What can cause problems? | Description and examples |
|---|---|
| Some medications | Heart medications (Amiodarone, Verapamil), antifungals (Ketoconazole), seizure medications (Carbamazepine, Phenytoin), antibiotics (Erythromycin, Rifampicin), and some medications for HIV. |
| Herbal products | The herb St. John's Wort can reduce the effectiveness of this medicine, so be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking these. |
| Food and drink | Grapefruit juice may interact with this medication. Therefore, avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice during treatment. |
This list is not complete. So be open with your doctor about any medications you take, whether you smoke, or drink alcohol.
Things to be especially careful about when taking medication
- Regular medical check-ups: Attend clinics as per the dates given by the doctor. You may need to have things like blood tests to monitor your condition.
- Serious skin reactions: This medicine can sometimes cause serious skin reactions. If you develop red, itchy skin rashes with fever and body aches that later blister and peel, or if you have swelling of the face, lips, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, seek medical advice immediately .
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine and for 2 weeks after stopping the medicine . This medicine may harm an unborn baby. Also, avoid breastfeeding for 2 weeks after stopping the medicine.
Possible side effects of the medicine
Like all medications, Afatinib can have side effects. Some are serious, while others are common. It's important to be aware of these.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
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| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
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If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
How to store the medicine?
- Keep it in a safe place out of the reach of children .
- Store at normal room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Discard any medicine left after the expiration date.
Take-Home Message
- Afatinib is a specific "targeted therapy" drug for lung cancer.
- Always take this medicine on an empty stomach, that is, one hour before or two hours after a meal.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.
- Call your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects such as severe diarrhea, severe skin rashes, or difficulty breathing.
- Avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding during treatment and for two weeks after stopping.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with others. If you have any questions, never be afraid to ask your doctor.
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