• Necitumumab is available in an injection form which should be given intravenously or directly into the vein very slowly for about 1 hour.
• Necitumumab should be diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride to make up the final volume of 250 ml, and the mixture should be gently inverted to facilitate adequate mixing.
• Avoid diluting with dextrose solution and other intravenous (IV) solutions and administer necitumumab infusion through a separate IV line.
• Flush the IV line with 0.9% sodium chloride solution after the contents of necitumumab solution are infused into the body completely.
• Inspect the necitumumab vial for the presence of discoloration or any particulate matter and discard the vial immediately if any such things are noticed.
• Patients can be given antiallergic medication such as diphenhydramine, fever medication (Paracetamol), and steroids such as dexamethasone before starting the necitumumab infusion to reduce the side effects caused by necitumumab.
• The treatment with necitumumab can be continued in patients who never show the disease progression or when the treatment with the drug does not result in unacceptable toxicity.
• The dose of necitumumab can be reduced to 400 mg if infusion-related side effects or skin reactions occur. The treatment with necitumumab can be permanently discontinued if the side effects are life-threatening.
• Allergic to necitumumab
• History of non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Children below 18 years of age
• Risk of thromboembolic disorders (Formation of blood clots in the legs, lungs or brain)
• Necitumumab should be diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride to make up the final volume of 250 ml, and the mixture should be gently inverted to facilitate adequate mixing.
• Avoid diluting with dextrose solution and other intravenous (IV) solutions and administer necitumumab infusion through a separate IV line.
• Flush the IV line with 0.9% sodium chloride solution after the contents of necitumumab solution are infused into the body completely.
• Inspect the necitumumab vial for the presence of discoloration or any particulate matter and discard the vial immediately if any such things are noticed.
• Patients can be given antiallergic medication such as diphenhydramine, fever medication (Paracetamol), and steroids such as dexamethasone before starting the necitumumab infusion to reduce the side effects caused by necitumumab.
Dosage & When it is to be taken
• The recommended dose of necitumumab is 800 mg given on the first day and the 8th day of every three-week cycle before giving gemcitabine and cisplatin.• The treatment with necitumumab can be continued in patients who never show the disease progression or when the treatment with the drug does not result in unacceptable toxicity.
• The dose of necitumumab can be reduced to 400 mg if infusion-related side effects or skin reactions occur. The treatment with necitumumab can be permanently discontinued if the side effects are life-threatening.
When it is not to be taken (Contraindications)
Necitumumab should not be used in patients with-• Allergic to necitumumab
• History of non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Children below 18 years of age
• Risk of thromboembolic disorders (Formation of blood clots in the legs, lungs or brain)
