Afatinib

Generic name: Afatinib
Brand names: Gilotrif
Dosage form: oral tablet
Drug class: Multikinase inhibitors

Usage of Afatinib

Afatinib (Gilotrif) is a cancer drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)-positive, which means that it is caused by an abnormal EGFR gene or genes.

The EGFR protein is found on the surface of cells and helps them to grow, but when the gene for EGFR is defective or abnormal cells can grow out of control causing cancer.

Afatinib belongs to a class of drugs called kinase inhibitors. It is an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor that works by irreversibly blocking EGFR.

Afatinib helps to stop or slow the spread of cancer and may help people with EGFR-positive NSCLC live longer. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2013.

Afatinib side effects

Serious side effects of afatinib include:

  • Diarrhea. Diarrhea is common with this medication and may sometimes be severe. Severe diarrhea can cause loss of too much body fluid (dehydration) and kidney problems that can sometimes lead to death. During your treatment with afatinib, your healthcare provider should prescribe medicines to treat diarrhea. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to. Tell your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea. Get medical attention right away if your diarrhea does not go away or becomes severe.
  • Skin reactions. Afatinib can cause redness, rash, and acne. It is important to get treatment for skin reactions as soon as you notice them. Take medicines to help skin reactions exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to. Get medical attention right away if you develop severe skin reactions such as peeling or blistering of the skin, or blisters in your mouth.
  • Lung or breathing problems. Afatinib may cause inflammation of the lung that may lead to death. Symptoms may be similar to those symptoms from lung cancer. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening lung problems, or any combination of the following symptoms: trouble breathing or shortness of breath, cough, or fever.
  • Liver problems. Afatinib can cause liver problems that can sometimes lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of a liver problem which may include:
  • yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes (jaundice)
  • dark or brown (tea colored) urine
  • pain on the upper right side of your stomach area (abdomen)
  • bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
  • feeling very tired Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver function during your treatment with this medication.
  • Tear (perforation) in your stomach or intestine. Tears in your stomach or intestine can happen with this medication and can sometimes lead to death. Your risk of developing a tear in your stomach or intestine may be increased if you:
  • take certain medicines with afatinib including: corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and certain other medicines.
  • have a history of stomach or intestinal ulcers, or if you have had diverticular disease (inflammation in parts of the large intestine). Get medical help right away if you develop severe stomach-area (abdomen) pain during treatment with afatinib.
  • Eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of eye problems which may include:
  • eye pain, swelling, redness, or tearing
  • blurred vision
  • sensitivity to light
  • other changes in your vision
  • Heart problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of a heart problem which may include:
  • new or worsening shortness of breath while at
  • rest or with activity
  • cough
  • tiredness
  • swelling of your ankles, feet, or legs
  • feeling that your heart is pounding or
  • racing (palpitations)
  • sudden weight gain

    • Your healthcare provider may change your dose, temporarily stop or permanently stop treatment with this medication if you have certain side effects.

    The most common side effects of afatinib include:

  • diarrhea
  • rash
  • acne
  • mouth sores
  • nail inflammation
  • dry skin
  • decreased appetite
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • itching

    • Afatinib may cause decreased fertility in females and males. This may affect your ability to have a child. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.

    Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

    These are not all of the possible side effects of this medication. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA1088.

    Before taking Afatinib

    Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Afatinib can harm your unborn baby.

    Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with this medication and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose of afatinib. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that may be right for you.

    Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with afatinib.

    Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if afatinib passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with afatinib and for 2 weeks after your last dose. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take this medication.

    Relate drugs

    How to use Afatinib

  • The recommended dose of afatinib is 40 mg orally once daily.
  • In patients with severe renal impairment the recommended dose of afatinib is 30 mg orally once daily
  • Take this medication at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal
  • See full prescribing information for further dosing information

    • What other drugs will affect Afatinib

    Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Afatinib may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way afatinib works. Taking certain medicines with this medication may increase your risk of developing a tear (perforation) in your stomach or intestine. See “What are the side effects of afatinib?” above.

    Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

    Popular FAQ

    Gilotrif (afatinib) is a prescription medication used to help stop or slow the spread of cancer in people with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients tend to take Gilotrif for a median time of about 11 to 13 months, although the length of treatment varies from person to person. Continue reading

    Gilotrif (afatinib) is a chemotherapy drug used to treat non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is caused by an abnormal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene or genes. It is is a small molecule drug and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Gilotrif is a type of targeted chemotherapy because it specifically targets and blocks EGFR. Targeted chemotherapy drugs are different from traditional chemotherapy agents which attack all dividing cells, damaging healthy cells as well as cancerous ones. Continue reading

    Gilotrif (afatinib) is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is used to treat NSCLC that is EGFR-positive, meaning that it is caused by an abnormal EGFR gene. Gilotrif works by targeting and irreversibly blocking EGFR. Gilotrif helps to stop or slow the spread of NSCLC. Continue reading

    Gilotrif (afatinib) is a prescription medication used to help stop or slow the spread of cancer in people with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients tend to take Gilotrif for a median time of about 11 to 13 months, although the length of treatment varies from person to person. Continue reading

    Gilotrif (afatinib) is a chemotherapy drug used to treat non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is caused by an abnormal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene or genes. It is is a small molecule drug and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Gilotrif is a type of targeted chemotherapy because it specifically targets and blocks EGFR. Targeted chemotherapy drugs are different from traditional chemotherapy agents which attack all dividing cells, damaging healthy cells as well as cancerous ones. Continue reading

    Gilotrif (afatinib) is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is used to treat NSCLC that is EGFR-positive, meaning that it is caused by an abnormal EGFR gene. Gilotrif works by targeting and irreversibly blocking EGFR. Gilotrif helps to stop or slow the spread of NSCLC. Continue reading

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