panitumumab Intravenous

pan-i-TOOM-ue-mab

Intravenous route(Solution)

Dermatologic toxicities were reported in 89% of patients and were severe in 12% of patients receiving panitumumab monotherapy. Severe infusion reactions occurred in approximately 1% of patients. Fatal infusion reactions occurred in postmarketing experience .

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Vectibix

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Immunological Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Monoclonal Antibody

Uses For panitumumab

Panitumumab is used to treat patients with metastatic cancer (cancer that spreads to other parts of the body) of the colon or rectum. panitumumab is given to patients who have already received other cancer treatments. Panitumumab should only be used in patients who have had a KRAS gene mutation test. This test helps the doctor decide whether the medicine will treat their cancer.

Panitumumab interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed by the body. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by panitumumab, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, such as a skin rash, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects do not occur until months or years after the medicine is used.

Before you begin treatment with panitumumab, you and your doctor should talk about the good panitumumab will do as well as the risks of using it.

Panitumumab will only be given by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

panitumumab is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using panitumumab

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For panitumumab, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to panitumumab or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of panitumumab in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of panitumumab in the elderly.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of panitumumab. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Dehydration or


• Diarrhea or


• Electrolyte imbalance (e.g., low magnesium, potassium, or calcium in the blood) or


• Eye disease or


• Lung disease (e.g., interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis), history of or


• Sensitivity to sunlight or


• Skin or nail disorder—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Proper Use of panitumumab

You will receive panitumumab while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you panitumumab. panitumumab is given through a needle placed in one of your veins. Panitumumab needs to be given slowly, so the needle will remain in place for at least an hour.

panitumumab sometimes causes nausea and vomiting. However, it is very important that you continue to receive the medicine, even if you begin to feel ill. Ask your doctor for ways to lessen these effects.

Precautions While Using panitumumab

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that panitumumab is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using panitumumab while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during therapy and for 6 months after the last dose of panitumumab. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Some patients who use panitumumab develop serious skin problems that may lead to infections that can become life-threatening. Tell your doctor right away if you have skin changes such as pimples; a rash, itchiness, redness, swelling, dryness, peeling, or fissures; or nail changes.

Tell your doctor right away if you are having shortness of breath, chest tightness, or any type of breathing problem while receiving panitumumab.

panitumumab may cause a rare but serious type of an allergic reaction called an infusion reaction. This can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you start to have cough, difficulty with swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, wheezing, trouble with breathing, chest tightness, swelling in your face or hands, fever, chills, itching or hives, or lightheadedness or faintness while you are receiving panitumumab.

Check with your doctor immediately if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after your treatment. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

panitumumab may cause severe kidney disease in patients who have severe diarrhea and dehydration. panitumumab may also increase your risk of having an electrolyte imbalance (e.g., low magnesium or calcium in the blood). Tell your doctor right away if you start having bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, ankles, or feet; decreased urination; dizziness; headache; lethargy; muscle cramps or twitching; mood or mental changes; nausea; rapid weight gain; or unusual tiredness or weakness while being treated with panitumumab.

Avoid overexposing your skin to sunlight. Always use sunscreen or sun blocking lotions and wear protective clothing and hats while you are receiving panitumumab and for 2 months after the last dose.

panitumumab Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Abdominal or stomach pain


• anxiety


• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, ankles, or feet


• chest pain


• chills


• confusion


• constipation


• convulsions


• cough


• decreased urination


• deep cracks, grooves, or lines in the skin


• diarrhea


• difficulty with swallowing


• discoloration of the fingernails or toenails


• drowsiness


• dry mouth, lips, or skin


• fainting


• fast or irregular heartbeat


• fever


• flushing or redness of the skin


• increased thirst


• itching, pain, and swelling of the eyelid


• itching skin


• loosening of the fingernails


• loss of appetite


• mood or mental changes


• muscle pain or cramps


• muscle spasms or twitching


• nausea


• rapid weight gain


• rapid, shallow breathing


• rash


• redness or soreness around the fingernails


• shortness of breath


• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth


• sudden shortness of breath


• sunken eyes


• swelling or inflammation of the mouth


• tearing of the eyes


• tingling of the hands or feet


• trembling


• troubled breathing


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• unusual weight gain or loss


• unusually warm skin


• vomiting

Less common

• Blurred vision


• burning, dry, or itching eyes


• difficulty with breathing


• discharge from the eyes or excessive tearing


• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position


• facial swelling


• headache


• hives


• noisy breathing


• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue


• sweating


• swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid


• tightness in the chest


• wheezing

Rare

• Chest discomfort


• painful breathing


• slight fever


• troubled or quick, shallow breathing

Incidence not known

• Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, or warmth at the injection site


• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: panitumumab Intravenous side effects (in more detail)

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More panitumumab Intravenous resources

• Panitumumab Intravenous Side Effects (in more detail)
• Panitumumab Intravenous Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Panitumumab Intravenous Drug Interactions
• Panitumumab Intravenous Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Panitumumab Intravenous - Add your own review/rating

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