Ramucirumab (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 25, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Cyramza

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Monoclonal Antibody

Uses for ramucirumab

Ramucirumab injection is used alone or together with paclitaxel to treat advanced or metastatic (cancer that has already spread) stomach or gastroesophageal junction cancer (GEJ) after a patient has received other cancer medicines (eg, medicines that containing fluoropyrimidine or platinum) but did not work well.

Ramucirumab injection is also together with erlotinib used as first-line treatment for metastatic (cancer that has already spread) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients who have certain types of abnormal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene (exon 19 deletions or exon 21 mutations). Your doctor will perform a test before you take ramucirumab.

Ramucirumab injection is also used in combination with docetaxel to treat metastatic (cancer that has already spread) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients who have received other cancer medicines (eg, medicines containing platinum). It is given to patients whose tumors have an abnormal EGFR or ALK gene and have tried treatment for these tumors but did not work well.

Ramucirumab injection is also used in combination with folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) to treat metastatic (cancer that has already spread) colorectal cancer (mCRC) in patients who have received other cancer medicines (eg, bevacizumab, oxaliplatin, or medicines containing fluoropyrimidine) but did not work well.

Ramucirumab injection is also used to treat a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who have received other medicines (eg, sorafenib).

Ramucirumab is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using ramucirumab

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ramucirumab, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ramucirumab or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of ramucirumab injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ramucirumab injection in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor ma...