Are you or someone in your family being treated for breast cancer? Then you may have heard about the drug 'Neratinib'. Perhaps your doctor has told you to start taking this drug. This is a very important drug that kills cancer cells. So, to clear up any questions or fears about this drug, let's talk about it in a simple way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is Neratinib?
Neratinib is a type of drug that targets certain proteins in cancer cells and stops them from growing. To be precise, it works as a "targeted therapy." It is most commonly used to treat breast cancer. This drug is available on the market under the brand name Nerlynx .
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine, he or she will need to have a complete picture of your health. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor about them.
- Liver Disease: This is very important if you have any liver disease, as this medicine can affect the way your liver works to remove it from your body.
- Dehydration: If you are experiencing a lack of water in your body and are in a state of dehydration, please tell us about it.
- If you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant: This is very important. You should avoid getting pregnant while taking this medicine.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: It is not advisable to breastfeed your baby while taking this medicine.
- Other Allergies: Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to neratinib or any other medicine, food, or dye.
How should I use this medicine?
It is very important to take your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you. Here are some general tips to follow.
- Swallow this pill whole with a glass of water .
- Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet.
- Take the medicine with a meal . This can reduce stomach discomfort.
- Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day.
- Do not take this medication with grapefruit juice . It may affect the effectiveness of the medication.
- If you are taking an antacid (a liquid or tablet for stomach ulcers), do not take it within 3 hours before or after taking Neratinib.
- Do not stop taking your medication without your doctor's advice.
What if I miss a dose of medicine?
If you forget to take a dose, skip it. Take the next dose at the usual time. Never take two pills to make up for a missed dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you suspect you have taken too much medicine, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
This is an area where you need to be a little careful. Neratinib can interact with some other medications, foods, and herbs. This means that taking it with these things can decrease or increase the effectiveness of Neratinib, or increase the side effects.
Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all the medications, vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take, as well as whether you smoke or drink alcohol.
This medicine may interact with the following in particular:
- Some antiviral drugs for HIV or AIDS
- Medicines for fungal infections (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole)
- Some antibiotics (e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin)
- Medicines for epilepsy (e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin)
- Medicines that reduce stomach acid (e.g. omeprazole, famotidine, lansoprazole)
- Herbal remedies like St. John's Wort
- Grapefruit (Jambola)
This list is not complete, so it's safest to tell your doctor about everything you're taking.
Special points to be aware of when taking the medicine
Pregnancy and lactation
This is very important.
- Women: Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medication and for 1 month after stopping the medication. Talk to your doctor about appropriate birth control.
- Men: If you are taking this medication, make sure your partner prevents pregnancy while taking the medication and for 3 months after stopping.
- Avoid breastfeeding your baby while taking this medicine and for 1 month after stopping.
Diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration
Some people taking neratinib may experience frequent diarrhea. If you have severe diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive sweating, you may lose a lot of fluid from your body and become dehydrated. This can be dangerous, so tell your doctor right away.
Blood tests
While taking this medication, your doctor may ask you to have regular blood tests (blood work) to monitor things like your liver function.
Possible side effects of this medicine
Like any medicine, Neratinib can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Severe diarrhea or vomiting | Severe diarrhea several times a day, vomiting that cannot be stopped. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark yellow or brown urine, pale stools, pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, and extreme fatigue. |
| Symptoms of low blood pressure | Dizziness, blue eyes, fainting, fainting spells, unusual tiredness. |
| Signs of infection | Fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain when urinating. |
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Common side effects | Dry mouth, loss of appetite, mouth sores, muscle cramps, red spots on the skin, stomach pain, stomach discomfort, weight loss. |
Take-Home Message
- Always take Neratinib tablets exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the prescribed time, with food.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, herbs, and all your medical conditions.
- Avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding completely while taking this medicine and for a certain period of time.
- If you experience severe diarrhea, vomiting, or signs of liver damage (such as yellowing of the skin), call your doctor immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with others.
- Store your medicine at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius), out of the reach of children.
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