Osimertinib or Tagrisso is an FDA-approved drug by FDA as a frontline treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is indicated for the first-line lung cancer treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have epidermal growth factor receptor exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations. It is used only when the tumor has a specific genetic marker. It is usually given after other cancer medicines have not been successfully.
Working and Dosage
People treated with Osimertinib usually develop resistance within 10 months. The resistance mediated by exon 20 C797S mutation accounts for majority of cases. It works by blocking the pathways that are responsible for the growth of tumor. So, this helps to stop the spread of tumor. The drug has shown significant improvement in comparison to chemotherapy. The recommended dosage of Osimertinib is 80 mg orally once daily, with or without food.
Precautions to be taken
Before taking Osimertinib, you should inform your doctor about any breathing disorders you are facing. If you have an electrolyte imbalance or heart rhythm disorder, the health care professional should know about it. You should not use this medicine if you are pregnant and use effective birth control during the treatment and for at least six weeks after the last dosage.
Side Effects
The most adverse reactions of Osimertinib include diarrhea, dry skin, stomatitis, decreased appetite and rashes. The common serious side effects cover pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism. It may cause eye problems or worsening lung symptoms. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur during lung cancer treatment. You should call your doctor for medical advice about the side effects being faced.
Remember to keep this and all other medicines from out of the reach of children.
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The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice.