how long you will receive ERBITUX based on your response to the medicine and the type of cancer you have.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, talk to your doctor or nurse and arrange another visit as soon as possible.
While you are being treated with ERBITUX
Things you must do
Keep all appointments with your doctor and always discuss anything that worries you during or after treatment with ERBITUX.
Before starting any new medicine, remind your doctor or pharmacist that you are receiving ERBITUX.
Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are receiving ERBITUX.
If you become pregnant while you are treated with ERBITUX, tell your doctor immediately.
Things you must not do
Do not stop going to your visits for treatment with ERBITUX without checking with your doctor.
Your condition may worsen if you stop receiving ERBITUX.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how ERBITUX affects you.
Treatment-related symptoms can affect your concentration and ability to react.
If this happens, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are having ERBITUX.
All medicines, including ERBITUX, can have unwanted side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not.
Most of the side effects occur during or soon after ERBITUX therapy. However, some may occur after this period.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
Infusion-related side effects
Tell your doctor or nurse if you experience any of the following symptoms, during or after treatment with ERBITUX:
fever
chills
shortness of breath
dizziness.
Mild to moderate infusion-related reactions may occur in more than 1 in 10 people who are being treated with ERBITUX. To recognise early signs of these side effects, you will be monitored closely while you are receiving each infusion and for at least 1 hour afterwards.
Your doctor may consider reducing the infusion rate of ERBITUX in order to manage these symptoms.
Sometimes these side effects may occur up to several hours later.
If you experience them any time after receiving ERBITUX, contact your doctor or nurse.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
asthma-like symptoms such as severe breathing difficulties with wheezing, hoarseness, and difficulty speaking
a rapidly developing lumpy rash
chest pain
leg pain
feeling dizzy or faint.
These side effects can be life-threatening and need immediate medical attention. Treatment with ERBITUX may have to be stopped.
Skin reactions
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms of skin reaction and they worry you:
acne-like skin rash
itchy, dry, scaling skin
excessive growth of hair on your body
nail problems.
Skin reactions are very common. More than 8 in 10 people receiving ERBITUX may experience skin reactions.
Most of these side effects develop within the first three weeks of treatment. They usually disappear over time after the end of ERBITUX therapy.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience severe blistering or peeling of the skin.
These can be symptoms of a very rare (may affect less than 1 in 10,000 people) but severe skin reaction which may have serious consequences and can be life-thr |
