What is Iressa prescribed for?

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 prescribed for the treatment of NSCLC. Iressa did not show any benefit when used with doublet, platinum-based chemotherapy to treat NSCLC.

There are some people that should not take Iressa?

Do not take Iressa if you are allergic to Iressa or to any of the ingredients in Iressa.

Warnings for People taking 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 doctor 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 doctor before using Iressa?

Tell your doctor if you:

• have or had liver problems.
• are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or if you are currently breast feeding.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor 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 side effects can you expect when taking Iressa? (This is only a partial list of side effects reported with Iressa. Your doctor 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 doctor or pharmacist.