Chemotherapy Drug Information
<< BackErbitux
Your doctor has ordered the drug erbitux to help treat your illness. The drug is given by injection into a vein. Erbitux binds specifically to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, HER1). Erbitux slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.
Before taking erbitux,
- You should know that erbitux may interfere with the normal menstrual cycle (period) in women and may stop sperm production in men. However, you should not assume that you cannot get pregnant or that you cannot get someone else pregnant. Women who are pregnant should tell their doctors before they begin taking this drug. You should not plan to have children while receiving chemotherapy or for a while after treatments. (Talk to your doctor for further details.) Use a reliable method of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Erbitux may harm the fetus.
- Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. Because of the danger of serious side effects to your baby, you should stop nursing while taking erbitux.
Side effects from erbitux are common and include:
- dry skin
- acne
- asthenia
- fever
- nausea
- constipation
- diarrhea
- allergic reaction with the first infusion
- shortness of breath
- asthenia
- pulmonary toxicity (rare)
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- fever
- chills
- shortness of breath