Gefitinib was first approved by the U.S. FDA on May 03, 2003, for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment.

Gefitinib has been developed to treat non-small cell lung cancer in adults.

The medicine will be prescribed to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. Gefitinib is available as a tablet to be taken with or without food, as directed by your healthcare provider. The usual recommended dosage is 250 mg tablet once daily. Avoid crushing, opening, or dissolving the tablet; swallow it whole with a glass of water. Take the Gefitinib tablet at the same time every day.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.

 Common:

• diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• weakness
• red or sore mouth
• increased liver enzymes
• itchy or cracked skin
• dry mouth
• red or itchy eyes
• nail problems
• hair loss
• fever
• blood in the urine and a burning sensation while urinating

Inform your doctor immediately if you experience allergies to Gefitinib and its ingredients. Discuss with your healthcare provider if you have kidney or liver disease, vision problems, lung problems, or taking any blood thinner like warfarin. Your healthcare provider will check regular blood tests to prevent complications. Avoid consuming alcohol as it may cause dizziness.

Consult your doctor before using this medication if you are pregnant or plan to have a baby. Gefitinib tablets are unsafe to use during pregnancy as it causes harm to an unborn fetus. Your health care practitioner will conduct a pregnancy test before you start treatment with Gefitinib Tablet. Discuss with your doctor effective birth control methods and utilize them for at least two weeks following the last dose. Avoid breastfeeding your baby while on the treatment as it is unknown if Gefitinib passes into the breast milk.

Gefitinib is not recommended for children and adolescents below 18. It is advisable to monitor your blood pressure regularly during this treatment. Avoid high-fiber foods and drink lots of fluids if you have severe diarrhea. If you have lactose intolerance, inform your doctor before starting this therapy. Antacids should not be used two hours before or one hour after taking Gefitinib. Avoid driving and operating heavy machinery if you feel tired or weak during this treatment.

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2. Fresenius kabi, US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on Dec 2018] [Accessed on 01st March 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/208109s001lbl.pdf
3. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Treatment of disorders of bowel motility and water flux, 12th edition, 2011, 1341.
4. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Antiemetic, prokinetic and digestant drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 669.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice; it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.