Iressa (Getfitinib) Patient Information: Missed a Dose and What Should I Avoid at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Iressa

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Cancer of the lung, like all cancers, results from an abnormality in the body's basic unit of life, the cell. Normally, the body maintains a system of checks and balances on cell growth so that cells divide to produce new cells only when new cells are needed. Disruption of this system of checks and balances on cell growth results in an uncontrolled division and proliferation of cells that eventually forms a mass known as a tumor.

Tumors can be benign or malignant; when we speak of "cancer," we are referring to those tumors that are malignant. Benign tumors usually can be removed and do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, grow aggressively and invade other tissues of the body, allowing entry of tumor cells into the bloodstream or lymphatic system and then to other sites in the body. This process of spread is termed metastasis; the areas of tumor growth at these distant ...

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Iressa

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Iressa Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

What happens if I miss a dose (Iressa)?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of gefitinib.

What happens if I overdose (Iressa)?

If an overdose of gefitinib is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Symptoms of a gefitinib overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

What should I avoid while using gefitinib (Iressa)?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity during treatment with gefitinib unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What other drugs will affect gefitinib (Iressa)?

Before taking gefitinib, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

warfarin (Coumadin);
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane);
phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek);
ketoconazole (Nizoral);
itraconazole (Sporanox); or
a stomach acid reducer such as cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB), ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), and others.

You may not be able to take gefitinib, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Many other drugs may interact with gefitinib. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your healthcare provider may have additional information about gefitinib that you may read.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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