Tykerb

by GSK

Active ingredient: Lapatinib

Packs

About Lapatinib

Cytostatic

Uses

Advanced or metastatic breast-cancer in patients with tumours that over express human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2). In combination with capecitabine, for patients who have had previous treatment with an anthracycline, a taxane and trastuzumab, or for post-menopausal women in combination with an aromatase inhibitor.

How to take it

Adults: In combination with capecitabine, 1.25 gm once daily as a single dose. In combination with aromatase inhibitor, 1.5 gm once daily. In combination with trastuzumab, 1 gm once daily. Counselling: Always take at the same time in relation to food, either 1 hr before or 1 hr after food.

Side effects

Diarrhoea, decrease LVEF, rash, GI upsets, stomatitis, anorexia, fatigue, headache, dry skin, hyperbilirubinaemia, hepatotoxicity, back pain, insomnia, mucosal inflammation, cough, dyspnoea, alopecia, pruritus, arrhythmia, back pain, epistaxis, pain in extremities, arthralgia, asthenia, hand-foot syndrome, alopecia, pruritus, nail disorders. Reports of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (discontinue).

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity. Precautions: Severe renal or hepatic impairment, monitor LFTs, caution in patients in conditions that impair left ventricular function; monitor for pulmonary toxicity. Risk factor for QT prolongation, monitor left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Ensure adequate contraception. Risk of diarrhoea.

Advice

Take atleast 1 hour before or 1 hour after meals. Contact prescriber if there is dizziness, tiredness, light headedness, shortness of breath, severe cough, fast heartbeat, chest pain, palpitations, itching, dark coloured urine, diarrhoea, change in bowel pattern, yellowing of eyes or skin, abdominal pain. Avoid grapefruit juice and products containing grapefruit during therapy.

Full information on Lapatinib →

Interactions with Lapatinib

CYP3A4 inhibitors (incl ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, azole antifungals, nefazodone, grapefruit juice) or inducers (incl carbamazepine, rifampicin, rifabutin, phenytoin, St John's wort). Substrates of CYP3A4 or CYP2C8 with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., pimozide, repaglinide), drugs that increase gastric pH or prolong QT interval, cardiotoxic agents, verapamil, ciclosporin, erythromycin, digoxin, topotecan, irinotecan, rosuvastatin, paclitaxel.

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Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

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