Erbitux

Cetuximab is an anti-cancer (“anti-neoplastic”) targeted therapy. This medication is classified as a “monoclonal antibody” and “Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Inhibitor.”

USES

Cetuximab is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. It is mainly used to treat cancers of the colon and rectum. It is also used to treat head and neck cancer.

POSSIBLE SIDE-EFFECTS

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some people receiving a cetuximab injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel short of breath, weak or dizzy, nauseated, itchy, or have wheezing, noisy breathing, or a hoarse voice during the injection.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

an acne-like skin rash or any severe skin rash;
redness, swelling, or puffiness under your skin;
eye pain or redness, puffy eyelids, drainage or crusting in your eyes, vision problems, or increased sensitivity to light;
sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood;
chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder;
a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out, slow heart rate, weak pulse, slow breathing;
symptoms of infection–fever, flu symptoms, mouth and throat ulcers, rapid heart rate, rapid and shallow breathing, fainting;
symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance–leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, extreme thirst, numbness or tingling, vision problems, muscle pain or weakness;
kidney problems–little or no urinating; painful or difficult urination; swelling in your feet or ankles; or
severe skin reaction–fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include:

mild itching or rash;
changes in your fingernails or toenails;
dry, cracked, or swollen skin;
headache;
diarrhea; or
infection.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

STORAGE

Store intact vials refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F); do not freeze. Preparations in infusion containers are stable for up to 12 hours refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) and up to 8 hours at room temperature of 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F).