Information about Dacomitinib

Generic Name : Dacomitinib
Up-to-date prescription details regarding Dacomitinib are provided here.

Pronunciation : DAK-oh-MI-ti-nib

Learn the correct pronunciation of the Dacomitinib, understand it's uses, recommended dosages, its indications, how to take, when to take, when not to take, side effects, special precautions, warnings and its and its storage instructions.

You will also find a list of the medication's International and Indian brand or trade names, as well as its pricing information. For verification of the information presented on this page or for additional clarifications, it's advisable to consult your doctor.

Therapeutic Classification : Chemotherapy

Trade Names/Brand Names of Dacomitinib

India :

Vizimpro

Why is Dacomitinib Prescribed? (Indications)

Dacomitinib is prescribed to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adult patients whose cancer cells have spread to other body parts.

Dacomitinib treatment is recommended to patients who show a specific gene alteration or mutation such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R confirmed by an FDA-approved test.

When should Dacomitinib not be taken? (Contraindications)

Dacomitinib should not be used in patients-

• If there is an allergy to dacomitinib
• Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
• Interstitial lung disease (Lung stiffness causing breathing difficulty)
• Children - Due to lack of safety and effectiveness data in these age groups

Extreme caution is required while treating patients with severe liver or kidney damage.

What is the dosage of Dacomitinib?

The recommended adult dose of dacomitinib is 45 mg once daily.

The dose of dacomitinib can be reduced or adjusted to 30 mg if any severe side effects occur.

The dose can further be reduced to 15 mg once daily but discontinue dacomitinib treatment if there is a need for further dose reduction.

The treatment with dacomitinib can be continued until the progression of the disease or until the treatment with the drug does not result in intolerable toxicity.

How should Dacomitinib be taken?

Dacomitinib is available in tablet form which should be taken by mouth one time daily either with or without food.

Take the dacomitinib tablets at the same time every day exactly as directed by the doctor.

Do not break, split or chew the tablet but swallow as a whole with sufficient quantity of water.

Never stop taking dacomitinib tablets unless otherwise suggested by your doctor.

Missed a Dose?

If a patient forgets to take a dose or vomits after taking dacomitinib tablets, do not take an additional dose.

Take the next dose as per your following schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose of dacomitinib which can be very harmful.

What are the warnings and precautions for Dacomitinib?

• Patients taking dacomitinib tablets should be checked for their lung function because dacomitinib can cause symptoms related to interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis.

• If interstitial lung disease (ILD) is confirmed, the treatment with dacomitinib should be stopped permanently, and the patient should be treated appropriately under medical supervision.

• Severe diarrhea can occur during dacomitinib therapy. In such cases, the treatment can be stopped temporarily, and antidiarrheal treatment either with loperamide or diphenoxylate with atropine can be considered.

• Skin reactions including rashes may occur which can be treated by using appropriate creams or ointments of antibiotics and steroids. In severe cases, oral antibiotics can also be taken.

• Patients must be advised to minimize the exposure to the sun as the skin reactions may become severe. Using a sunscreen lotion with high sun protection factor (SPF) and moisturizers are advised.

• Women of childbearing age should be checked for pregnancy status before initiating the treatment with dacomitinib. If women become pregnant during the treatment, the doctor should be consulted immediately as it harms the unborn baby.

• Women must be advised not to breastfeed the child during dacomitinib treatment and wait for at least 17 days from the last dose of dacomitinb to re-start.

• Females of reproductive potential living with an active male partner should use effective contraception during the dacomitinib treatment and must continue the contraception for at least 17 days after the last dose of dacomitinib.

What are the side effects of Dacomitinib?

Gastrointestinal: Loose stools, pain and swelling inside the mouth, mouth ulcers, nausea, constipation, loss of appetite
Respiratory: Chest pain, cough, infection of the upper respiratory tract, breathing difficulty, nose bleeds, rhinitis
Skin: Rashes, dry skin, itching, hair loss, nail disease, eczema
Lab abnormalities: Low levels of red blood cells, lymphocytes, albumin, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and increased levels of blood sugar, liver enzymes, creatinine, and bilirubin
Others: Muscle pain, abnormal weakness, conjunctivitis, inability to sleep, taste disturbances

What are the other precautions for Dacomitinib?

Never take dacomitinib for a condition it is not prescribed for.

Do not suggest dacomitinib tablets to another person even in the presence of similar symptoms or signs of the disease condition.

What are the Drug Interactions of Dacomitinib?

Do not take dacomitinib with ulcer healing agents such as rabeprazole as it may decrease the effectiveness of dacomitinib resulting in treatment failure.

Take dacomitinib either 6 hours before or 10 hours after taking H2 receptor antagonist medications such as ranitidine or famotidine.

Antidepressants such as paroxetine may increase the concentration of dacomitinib when taken together; therefore this combination should be avoided.

Avoid taking dextromethorphan with dacomitinib tablets because dacomitinib may lead to dextromethorphan toxicity resulting in drowsiness and breathing difficulty.

What are the storage conditions for Dacomitinib?

Store dacomitinib tablets at room temperature between 20°C and 25°C.

Protect dacomitinib tablets from excess heat and moisture.

Keep the dacomitinib tablets away from the reach of children.