Tykerb
Drug Name: Lapatinib ditosylate 250mg Tablets
Details
Lapatinib ditosylate 250mg Tablets is an anticancer drug belonging to the protein kinase inhibitors group.
It is a ditosylate salt of lapatinib(orally active quinazoline).
It is used in combination with other anticancer drugs.
It is a prescription only drug.
Mechanism of action:it acts by blocking phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), ErbB2, and the Erk-1 and-2 and AKT kinases resulting in their inhibition leading to the decreased or no growth of the tumor. It also acts on cyclin D protein in tumor cells to stop the growth of tumors..
It is available as Tyverb & Tykerb in both International and Tykerb Indian markets.
Uses
- Lapatinib ditosylate 250mg Tablets is used in combination with capecitabine to treat metastatic breast cancer that are HER2 positive and cases of pre-treatment with anthracycline, a taxane, and trastuzumab.
- Tyverb is also used with letrozole for treating postmenopausal women with both hormone receptor and HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer indicated with hormonal therapy.
- It is also used in combination with trastuzumab in hormone-receptor-negative metastatic tumors that have progressed prior to trastuzumab or other combination chemotherapy.
Dosage
- Lapatinib ditosylate 250mg Tablets are available as oval, biconvex, orange, film-coated with GS XJG tablets.
- Tykerb should be taken one hour before or one hour after a meal once in a day.
- It is stored at room temperature away from light and moisture.
- Final dosages are determined by the doctor on the basis of factors such as medical condition, age, weight and ongoing medications.
- Dose is modified for cardiac toxicities, severe hepatic impairment, and drug interactions to minimise the complications.
Side effects
- Headache
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Hepatotoxicity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pneumonitis
- Dyspepsia
- Rash
- Back pain
- Dry skin
- Insomnia
- Epistaxis
- QT Prolongation
- Redness & swelling of skin
- Low levels electrolytes in blood especially potassium and magnesium
Precautions
- Lapatinib ditosylate 250mg Tablets are contraindicated in case of severe allergic reactions to lapatinib.
- Tykerb causes fetal harm if used during pregnancy and not recommended in pregnancy & breastfeeding.
- It also causes adverse effects on the reproductive system.
- It causes severe hepatotoxicity so careful liver function monitoring is necessary.
- Electrolyte imbalance should also be monitored very carefully.
- Exposure to sunlight must be avoided while using this drug.
- It must be used very carefully in heart disorders, liver and kidney dysfunction.
- Tell the doctor about ongoing medications and any allergy before starting the drug.
Always tell the doctor about pregnancy or future plan of pregnancy or breastfeeding.