Gefitinib-chemotheraphy of neoplastic disease and its therapeutic uses

INTRODUCTION-

It is an EGFR(epidermal growth factor receptor) inhibitor which interrupts with signalling through EGFR in target cells.therefore it is only effective in cancers  with mutated and overactive EGFR.

PHARMACOKINETICS-

Bioavailability-59%

Protien binding-90%

Half life-6-49 hrs

Metabolism-hepatic

Excretion-faecal

 THERAPEUTIC USES-

It is used for locally or advanced or metastatic non small cell lung cancer,after failure of both platinum based and taxane based chemotherapies.

SIDE-EFFECTS-

·        Nausea

·        Vomiting

·        Itching

·        Poor apetite

·        Eye irritation

DRUG INTERACTIONS-

·         GEFTINIB+PROTON PUMP INHIBITOR=ALTERATION IN ORAL ABSORPTION OF GEFTINIB

·         GEFTINIB+METHOTREXATE=INCREASE METHOTREXATE TOXICITY(BY CAUSING FLUID RETENTION).

REFERENCE- Tripathi K.D. "Essentials of Medical Pharmacology", 7th Edition, page no- 870