Iressa (Gefitinib)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs):

What is Iressa?

Iressa (Salt name: Gefitinib) is a prescription medication used to treat patients with lung cancer. Iressa belongs to a class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). It works by binding to the epidermal growth factor receptors on the surface of the cell and blocking the cell signals that promote the growth and survival of cancer cells.

Uses and Benefits of Iressa:

Iressa is approved by the FDA as the first-line treatment of advanced (metastatic) non-small cell lung cancer with mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor. But the medicine can only be used to treat cancer with two EGFR mutations: exon 19 deletions and exon 21 substitution mutations.

Side Effects of Iressa:

Patients taking Iressa may have some common side effects, including:

• Diarrhea
• Skin rash, acne, and itching
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Poor appetite
• Eye irritation
• Dehydration (Symptoms; thirst, dry mouth, low urine output, tiredness, and dizziness)

In rare cases, Iressa can cause serious side effects such as:

1. Lung diseases and pneumonia: The conditions can be identified by symptoms such as breathing difficulty, cough, and fever. It may lead to hospitalization and death.
2. Severe dehydration: Excessive loss of body water may lead to kidney problems.
3. Gastrointestinal Perforation
4. Keratitis: Eye redness and pain
5. Hepatotoxicity: Injury and Liver damage

Sometimes patients taking Iressa have elevated liver function tests. Therefore doctors may regularly check the blood tests of the patients to monitor their liver function.

Call your doctor immediately if you notice any side effects that do not go away by themselves or bother you.

How to take Iressa?

Iressa comes as brown film-coated tablets. It is taken orally with or without food, as prescribed by the doctor. The recommended dose of Iressa for patients with non-small cell lung cancer is a 250 mg tablet once daily. Patients who have difficulty swallowing the tablet can immerse the tablets in 4 to 8 ounces of water. Stir the suspension for 15 minutes and drink it immediately. Again rinse the glass with water and drink it to take the full dose.

In case you missed a dose of Iressa, take it as soon as you remember. But do not take 2 doses of Iressa within 12 hours.

Why is Iressa Cost so high in the USA?

Some of the highest Iressa Costs in the world are found in the United States. Even with medical insurance and copay, people in the USA still face the problem of high Iressa Costs. The reasons for this problem are complex and multi-faceted, but there are a few key factors that contribute to the high cost of medications.
One of the biggest factors contributing to the high Iressa Cost in the US is the lack of price regulation. In most other developed countries, the government negotiates with pharmaceutical companies to set the price of medications. In the US, however, drug prices are set by the pharmaceutical companies themselves. This means that they can charge whatever price they want for their drugs, regardless of how much it costs to produce or how much it is sold in other countries.
Additionally, the lack of transparency in drug pricing is another major factor contributing to the high Iressa Cost in the US. Patients are often not aware of how much medication costs until they receive the bill. This can lead to unexpected costs that people may not be able to afford. Even with medical insurance and copay, patients may still have to pay a significant amount out of pocket.
OffshoreCheapMeds can provide Iressa Cost that is often lower than what people pay even with insurance and copay. We achieve this by sourcing medications from Certified and Reputable pharmacies, having partnerships with licensed pharmacies and distributors, operating online to keep overhead costs low, negotiating lower prices with manufacturers, and offering generic versions of medications so you can buy Iressa online at the lowest possible price.

Drug Interactions:

Taking Iressa with other medications may affect the working of the drugs or may cause adverse reactions in the body. So it is highly advised to tell your doctors about all the medications you are currently taking including:

1. CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampicin, phenytoin, or tricyclic antidepressant
2. CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole and itraconazole
3. Medications to reduce stomach acid: Antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and H2 blockers may reduce the absorption and efficacy of Iressa. If you take PPIs (such as omeprazole, lansoprazole). So, always take PPI 12 hours before/after taking Iressa. Take antacids or H2 blockers 6 hours before/after Iressa.
4. Anticoagulants: Taking warfarin along with Iressa can cause hemorrhage in some patients

Safety Information:

• Before taking Iressa tell your doctor if you have had any medical conditions especially, lung disease, liver impairment, gastrointestinal perforation, severe diarrhea, eye problems including keratitis, and skin disorders.

• Always drink plenty of fluid to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal perforation.

• Consult your doctor about the safety of Iressa if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

• Do not breastfeed while taking Iressa.

• Do not get any vaccine without consulting your doctor while taking Iressa.

• Do not drive or use heavy machines after taking the drug.

• Patients taking Iressa should reduce or avoid alcohol intake.

References:

• https://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/iressa.aspx

• https://www.rxlist.com/iressa-drug.htm#warnings

• https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-75203/iressa-oral/details

• https://www.astrazeneca-us.com/media/press-releases/2015/iressa-approved-by-the-fda-20150713.html#modal-historic-confirmation