Iressa (Gefitinib)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Iressa Used For?
Iressa contains the active ingredient gefitinib and belongs to a group of medicines called antineoplastics. These medicines work by stopping cancer cells from growing and multiplying.
Primary Uses
Iressa is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer, which is one type of lung cancer. Your doctor will have explained why you are being treated with Iressa and told you what dose to take.
How It Works
Iressa works by stopping cancer cells from growing and multiplying, helping to control the progression of non-small cell lung cancer.
Good to know: Iressa is not addictive and is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
How to Take Iressa
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. Take Iressa regularly at about the same time each day to help you remember.
Dosage Instructions
The usual adult dose is one 250mg tablet taken each day. Swallow your Iressa tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the tablets. For patients with swallowing difficulties, the tablet can be dissolved in half a glass of drinking water (non-carbonated). It does not matter if you take Iressa with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it is 12 hours before the next dose is due. If it is less than 12 hours to the next dose, do not take the dose you have missed.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. Continue taking Iressa for as long as your doctor tells you.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- skin reactions such as acne-like rash, sometimes itchy with dry and/or cracked skin
- nausea (feeling sick)
- diarrhoea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite or weight changes
- red or sore mouth
- dry mouth
- problems with your nails
- hair loss
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- eye problems, including red and itchy eye, red and sore eyelid, dry eyes
- increased bleeding (e.g. nose bleeds, blood in your urine)
- fever
- burning sensations during urination and frequent, urgent need to urinate
- skin reaction on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet including tingling, numbness, pain, swelling or reddening (hand and foot syndrome)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- severe skin reactions affecting large portions of your body including redness, pain, ulcers, blisters, skin sloughing (toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme)
- dehydration following persistent or severe diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea or loss of appetite
- serious breathlessness, or sudden worsening breathlessness, possibly with a cough or fever (interstitial lung disease – some patients have died from this)
- unexpected bleeding, if you are also taking warfarin
- new eye problems, such as pain, redness, watery eyes, light sensitivity or changes in your vision (some patients have suffered from ulcer of the eye)
- allergic reactions, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- inflammation of the liver with symptoms including general feeling of unwell with or without jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) – some patients have died from this
- inflammation of the pancreas, with symptoms such as very severe pain in the upper part of the stomach area and severe nausea and vomiting
- gastrointestinal perforation with symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever
- inflammation of the blood vessels in the skin appearing as bruising or patches of non-blanching rash
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before taking Iressa. Always check with your doctor about your medical history and current medications.
Who Should Not Take Iressa
Do not take Iressa if you are allergic to gefitinib or any of the ingredients. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, rash, itching, hives, dizziness, or back pain.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have eye problems, lung problems, or liver problems. You may need further examination or monitoring during treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Iressa if you are pregnant as it may affect your baby. Do not breastfeed while taking Iressa as it passes into breast milk and may affect the breast-fed baby. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Iressa.
Children: Do not give Iressa to children. There is no experience of its use in children.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Iressa and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Important: You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you.
- itraconazole & ketoconazole (medicines used to treat fungal infections)
- metoprolol (beta-blocker)
- rifampicin (antibiotic)
- warfarin (blood thinner)
- phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates, St John’s Wort
- vinorelbine (cancer drug)
- medicines that alter the acidity of the stomach (antacids, H2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors)
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with activities that require alertness until you know how Iressa affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the source material. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking Iressa.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Iressa affects you. Some patients may feel weak while taking this medication.
Storage
Keep your Iressa tablets in the blister foil until it is time to take them. Store in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Iressa, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Symptoms of overdose include the side effects listed but are usually more severe.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Iressa is not addictive. It is a cancer treatment medication that works by stopping cancer cells from growing and multiplying.
Yes, it does not matter if you take Iressa with or without food. Take it at the same time each day to help you remember.
Take it as soon as you remember, as long as it is 12 hours before the next dose is due. If it is less than 12 hours to the next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose.
Do not stop taking Iressa suddenly or without checking with your doctor. Continue taking it for as long as your doctor tells you to ensure proper treatment of your condition.
No, swallow Iressa tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not chew or crush them. If you have swallowing difficulties, the tablet can be dissolved in half a glass of non-carbonated drinking water.
Continue taking Iressa for as long as your doctor tells you. Your doctor will monitor your progress and determine the appropriate duration of treatment.
No, do not give Iressa to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you. This medication is prescribed specifically for your individual situation.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.