What is Iressa used for?
- Iressa is a chemotherapy medicine (medicines
used to kill cancer cells) that is used alone for the treatment
of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that:
- has progressed after treatment with platinum
based and docetaxel chemotherapies, or
- did not respond to treatment with platinum
based or docetaxel chemotherapies.
- At this time, it is not known whether Iressa
will improve symptoms of NSCLC or help patients live longer.
- Iressa should not be the first chemotherapy medicine
that is used to treat NSCLC. Iressa did not show any benefit
when used with doublet, platinum-based chemotherapy to treat
NSCLC.
Who should not take Iressa?
Do not take Iressa if you are allergic to Iressa
or to any of the ingredients in Iressa.
Special Warnings with Iressa:
- Iressa may cause interstitial lung disease (ILD).
ILD is a serious and life-threatening lung disease. The
symptoms of ILD are trouble breathing, with or without a
cough or fever. ILD may become severe in a very short period
of time.
- Iressa may cause liver damage called hepatotoxicity.
- Iressa may cause eye damage called corneal erosions.
Call your health care provider right away
if you develop:
- severe or continual diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,
or loss of appetite. These conditions can lead to dehydration
(lack of body fluids).
- worsening lung symptoms (shortness of breath, cough,
fever).
- an eye irritation.
- any new symptoms.
What should I tell my doctor or health care provider
before using Iressa?
Tell your health care provider if you:
- have or had liver problems.
- are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant,
or are breast-feeding.
Tell your health care provider about all the medicines
you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines,
vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your health
care provider if you take:
- rifampicin, phenytoin
- warfarin
- ketoconazole, itraconazole
- ranitidine, cimetidine
These medicines may affect how Iressa works, or Iressa
may affect how these medicines work.
What are some possible side effects of Iressa?
(This is NOT a complete list of side effects
reported with Iressa. Your health care provider or pharmacist
can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)
Some common side effects with Iressa include:
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Acne
- Dry skin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Weight loss
For more detailed information about Iressa, ask your health
care provider or pharmacist.
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