Her-Tinib Tablet
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Adley Formulations |
| Active Ingredient | Lapatinib (250mg) |
| Storage | Store below 30°C |
| Chemical Class | Quinazolinamines Derivative |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | ANTI NEOPLASTICS |
| Action Class | Tyrosine kinase inhibitors |
| User Rating | 4.4 |
| User Reviews | 586 |
FAQ
Can Her-Tinib be given in combination with other anti-cancer drug?
Yes, Her-Tinib can be used with other anti-cancer drugs. Generally, it is used in combination with capecitabine to treat advanced breast cancer in patients who have already been treated with chemotherapy. Her-Tinib is also used with letrozole to treat breast cancer in post-menopausal women.
Is Her-Tinib a chemotherapy medicine?
No, this is a targeted drug that belongs to a class of anti-cancer medicines. They are more specific than chemotherapy in their mechanisms of action. Her-Tinib belongs to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors group of medicines. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps stop or slow the spread of cancer cells.
How can I take care of my skin while on Her-Tinib?
Your doctor will check your skin before and during the treatment. If you have sensitive skin, use a soap-free cleanser and beauty products that are fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. It is also advised that you use sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 or higher. Inform your doctor immediately if you get a rash.
What tests will the doctor advise before starting Her-Tinib?
You may need extra tests to check that your heart and liver are working properly. Her-Tinib may change the way your heart beats and pumps blood through your body. Your doctor will monitor you carefully to see whether Her-Tinib has affected your heart. Along with that, your doctor will get your liver function investigated. Based on the results of these tests, the doctor will decide whether dose adjustment or discontinuation of treatment is required.
Does Her-Tinib have any effect on liver?
Her-Tinib may cause liver damage which can be severe or life-threatening. Liver damage can occur as soon as several days or as late as several months after the start of treatment with Her-Tinib. Inform your doctor if you have or had liver disease. If you experience any of the symptoms such as itching, change in color of the skin or eyes (yellowing), discoloration of urine, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, unusual bleeding or bruising, or pale or dark stools, call your doctor immediately.
How should I take Her-Tinib?
You should take Her-Tinib exactly as advised by your doctor. Swallow Her-Tinib tablets whole with a glass of water, at the same time each day. You must take Her-Tinib 1 hour before or 1 hour after meals and at the same time concerning food each day (e.g., you could always take your tablet one hour before breakfast).
How long after Her-Tinib can I plan pregnancy?
Use an effective method of contraception to avoid pregnancy while you are taking Her-Tinib and continue for at least 1 week after the last dose. Inform your doctor if you become pregnant, who will decide whether to stop or continue treatment.
How should I manage diarrhea while taking Her-Tinib?
If you suffer from diarrhea while taking Her-Tinib, you should drink plenty of fluids (8 to 10 glasses a day) such as water, sports drinks, or other clear liquids. You should eat low-fat, high protein foods instead of fatty or spicy foods. Eating cooked vegetables instead of raw vegetables and removing the skin from fruits before eating can also be helpful. Try to avoid milk and milk products (including ice cream) and herbal supplements (some may cause diarrhoea). Inform the doctor, if the condition persists, who may interrupt the treatment depending on the severity of diarrhea.
What if you forget to take Her-Tinib?
If you miss a dose of Her-Tinib, consult your doctor.
Her-Tinib Tablet Reviews
Her-Tinib is used in the treatment of breast cancer. It works by stopping or slowing down the growth of cancer cells. It is either used alone or in combination with some other medicine to cure advanced-stage breast cancer.
Her-Tinib should be taken on an empty stomach or an hour before or 2 hours after a meal. The dose and duration vary according to the severity of your condition and your response to treatment. Take it exactly as prescribed to avoid serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, headache, back pain, and breathing difficulty. It may cause severe diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids or consult with your doctor if it bothers you. You may be asked for regular monitoring of blood pressure while taking this medicine. Inform your doctor if you notice a severe headache, confusion, problems with your eyesight, nausea, or vomiting. Your doctor may check your liver function before, during, and after treatment with this medicine.
Before taking Her-Tinib, let your doctor know if you have liver or kidney problems. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are taking. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.
Her-Tinib should be taken on an empty stomach or an hour before or 2 hours after a meal. The dose and duration vary according to the severity of your condition and your response to treatment. Take it exactly as prescribed to avoid serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, headache, back pain, and breathing difficulty. It may cause severe diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids or consult with your doctor if it bothers you. You may be asked for regular monitoring of blood pressure while taking this medicine. Inform your doctor if you notice a severe headache, confusion, problems with your eyesight, nausea, or vomiting. Your doctor may check your liver function before, during, and after treatment with this medicine.
Before taking Her-Tinib, let your doctor know if you have liver or kidney problems. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are taking. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.
How Her-Tinib Tablet Works
Her-Tinib is an anti-cancer medication. It works against the HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor protein) receptors and EGFRs (epidermal growth factor receptor) which are responsible for the over-proliferation of cells. This is how it inhibits the growth of cancerous cells causing downstream signaling pathways.
How to Use Her-Tinib Tablet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Her-Tinib is to be taken empty stomach.
Benefits of Her-Tinib Tablet
- In Breast cancer: Her-Tinib helps to treat breast cancer and it may be used alone or in combination with other medicines or treatment modalities like chemotherapy. It relieves the symptoms of breast cancer such as breast lumps, bloody discharge from nipples or changes in the shape or texture of the breast. Her-Tinib kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. Discuss with your doctor if any of the side effects bother you.
Uses of Her-Tinib Tablet
- Breast cancer
Her-Tinib Tablet Side Effects
- Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
- Hot flashes
- Mucosal inflammation
- Breathing problems
- Pain in extremities
- Vomiting
- Increased bilirubin in the blood
- Liver damage
- Joint pain
- Back pain
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
- Loss of appetite
- Weight gain
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Rash
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Weakness
Safety Tips
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Her-Tinib is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Her-Tinib. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CAUTION
Her-Tinib should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Her-Tinib may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Limited information is available on the use of this medicine in patients with the severe liver disease.
Breast feeding
UNSAFE
Her-Tinib is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Kidney
CAUTION
Her-Tinib should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Her-Tinib may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Limited information is available on the use of Her-Tinib in these patients. No dose adjustment is recommended in patients with mild to moderate kidney disease.
Driving
UNSAFE
Her-Tinib may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.
Quick Tips
- Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
- It should be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after the meal, preferably at the same time every day.
- Use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine and for a month after you stop taking it.
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly while taking this medication. Inform your doctor if you notice symptoms of very high blood pressure such as severe headache, confusion, problems with your eyesight, nausea or vomiting.
- It may cause serious bleeding problem. Inform your doctor if you get headaches, stomach pain or if you notice blood in your urine or stools.
- Diarrhea may occur as a side effect. Drink plenty of fluids and inform your doctor if it doesn't stop or if you find blood in your stools.
References
- Chabner BA, Barnes J, Neal J, et al. Targeted Therapies: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, Monoclonal Antibodies, and Cytokines. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1737-38.
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 779-80.
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
- Lapatinib. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina: GlaxoSmithKline; 2007 [revised Mar. 2015].
- Lapatinib ditosylate monohydrate. Camberley, Surrey: Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd.; 2008 [revised 13 Dec. 2018].
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Lapatinib. [Updated 2019 Jan 7].