Cetuximab (Intravenous)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 1, 2022.
Serious and potentially fatal infusion reactions may occur and require immediate interruption of the cetuximab infusion and permanent discontinuation. Cardiopulmonary arrest and/or sudden death have been reported in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with radiation therapy and cetuximab or platinum-based therapy with 5-fluorouracil and cetuximab. Monitoring of serum electrolytes during and after cetuximab therapy is recommended .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Erbitux
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent
Pharmacologic Class: Monoclonal Antibody
Uses for cetuximab
Cetuximab injection is used together with radiation treatment for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), or with a platinum-based cancer medicine with fluorouracil to treat SCCHN that has come back (recurrent) or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). Cetuximab injection is also used alone in patients with recurrent or metastatic SCCHN who have received other medicines that did not work well.
Cetuximab injection is used together with other medicines (eg, irinotecan, fluorouracil, leucovorin) to treat K-Ras wild-type, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing, metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC, cancer of the colon and rectum that has spread). Your doctor will test for the presence of this gene mutation. Cetuximab injection is also used alone to treat patients with mCRC who have received other medicines (eg, irinotecan, oxaliplatin) that did not work well.
Cetuximab injection is also used together with encorafenib to treat metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC, cancer of the colon and rectum that has spread) and have the BRAF V600E mutations. Your doctor will use a special test to look for these mutations.
Cetuximab interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are then destroyed by the body. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by cetuximab, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, such as a skin rash, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects do not occur until months or years after the medicine is used.
Cetuximab should only be given by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
Before using cetuximab
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 cetuximab, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to cetuximab 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 cetuximab 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..
