GILOTRIF® (JEE-loh-trif) (afatinib) tablets
- January 5, 2021
- 0
GILOTRIF®
(JEE-loh-trif)
(afatinib) tablets
Chemotherapy
AFINITOR®
a-fin-it-or
Everolimus tablets
Chemotherapy
What is GILOTRIF?
GILOTRIF is a prescription medicine that is used to treat people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that:
- has certain (non-resistant) abnormal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene(s). Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure that GILOTRIF is right for you.
- has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), and
- has not been previously treated for metastatic lung cancer
It is not known if GILOTRIF is safe and effective in treating people with lung cancer that has resistant abnormal EGFR genes. or is used to treat people with squamous cell lung cancer that:
- has spread to other parts of the body, and
- has been previously treated with chemotherapy that contains platinum.
- It is not known if GILOTRIF is safe and effective in children.
Before you take GILOTRIF, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have kidney or liver problems
- have lung or breathing problems other than lung cancer
- have a history of severe dry eye or any other eye problems. Tell your doctor if you wear contact lenses.
- have heart problems
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. GILOTRIF can harm your unborn baby. You should not become pregnant while taking GILOTRIF.
- Women who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with GILOTRIF and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose of GILOTRIF. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that may be right for you.
- Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant while taking GILOTRIF.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if GILOTRIF passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking GILOTRIF and for 2 weeks after your last dose of GILOTRIF. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take GILOTRIF.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. GILOTRIF may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way GILOTRIF works.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How should I take GILOTRIF?
- Take GILOTRIF exactly as your doctor tells you to take it.
- Take GILOTRIF on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal.
- Your doctor will tell you how many GILOTRIF tablets to take and when to take them. Do not change your dose or stop GILOTRIF unless your doctor tells you to.
- Take GILOTRIF on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal.
- If you miss a dose of GILOTRIF, take it as soon as you remember. If it is within 12 hours of your next dose, skip the dose and just take your next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses of GILOTRIF at the same time.
- If you take too much GILOTRIF, call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
What should I avoid while taking GILOTRIF?
Limit your time in the sun. GILOTRIF can make your skin sensitive to the sun. You could get or have worsening rash or acne. You could get a severe sunburn. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin while you are taking GILOTRIF if you have to be in sunlight.
What are the possible side effects of GILOTRIF?
GILOTRIF may cause serious side effects, including:
- Diarrhea. Diarrhea is common with GILOTRIF 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 GILOTRIF, your doctor should prescribe medicines to treat diarrhea. Take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to. Tell your doctor if you have diarrhea. Get medical attention right away if your diarrhea does not go away or becomes severe.
- skin reactions. GILOTRIF 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 doctor 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. GILOTRIF may cause inflammation of the lung that may lead to death. Symptoms may be similar to those symptoms from lung cancer. Tell your doctor 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. GILOTRIF can cause liver problems that can sometimes lead to death. Tell your doctor 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 doctor will do blood tests to check your liver function during your treatment with GILOTRIF.
- eye problems. Tell your doctor 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 doctor 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
The most common side effects of GILOTRIF include:
- diarrhea
- rash
- mouth sores
- nail inflammation
- dry skin
- acne
- decreased appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- itching
GILOTRIF may cause decreased fertility in females and males. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about fertility.
Tell your doctor 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 GILOTRIF. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store GILOTRIF?
- Store GILOTRIF at room temperature 68F to 77F (20C to 25C).
- Keep GILOTRIF in the original container and keep the container tightly closed.
- Keep GILOTRIF away from moisture and light.
- Safely throw away (discard) any GILOTRIF that is out of date or no longer needed.
- Keep GILOTRIF and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information about the safe and effective use of ALIQOPA
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about ALIQOPA that is written for health professionals.
General information about GILOTRIF
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use GILOTRIF for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give GILOTRIF to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about GILOTRIF that is written for health professionals.
What are the ingredients in GILOTRIF?
- Active ingredient: afatinib
- Inactive ingredients: Tablet Core: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate. Tablet Coating: hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, talc, polysorbate 80, FD&C Blue No. 2 (40 mg and 30 mg tablets only).
Tell your healthcare provider if you have vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of dehydration that does not go away. GILOTRIF may cause fertility problems in males and females, which may affect your ability to have a child.
Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you. These are not all of the possible side effects of GILOTRIF. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know.
