
Afanat 40mg tablets
Salt Composition: Afatinib
Expiry Date: 01/2028
Inclusive of all taxes
28 Tablet in Bottle
About The Product
Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
- The Afanat 40 mg tablet, which comprises afatinib, is a molecular anticancer medication indicated for first-line therapy in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring non-resistant EGFR gene mutations.
- Moreover, Afanat is used in metastatic squamous NSCLC that has advanced after chemotherapy with platinum medication.
- Afanat acts as a kinase inhibitor by targeting protein kinases associated with the development of cancerous cells. Therefore, it inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells, thus prolonging disease progression and survival periods, and alleviates symptoms such as pain.
- However, it should be administered orally once a day, preferably on an empty stomach at least one hour prior to or two hours following a meal.
- Moreover, the medicine should only be utilized under the guidance of an oncologist.
- Side effects associated with the use of Afanat include diarrhea, rash or acne, dry skin, nail infection, mucositis, and loss of appetite.
- It should be avoided if there is liver disease, renal dysfunction, eye disease, or respiratory conditions, particularly if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Uses
Treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with specific non-resistant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations
Side Effects
Afanat 40mg tablets may cause some side effects that vary from one patient to another. Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Seek medical attention in case of any unusual or severe side effects immediately. Side effects include:
- Diarrhea (can be severe, leading to dehydration)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue or weakness
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- Mouth sores (stomatitis)
- Skin rash, acne, dryness, or itching
- Nail changes or infections
- Injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fever and chills
- Respiratory infections or pneumonia (with chest pain or breathlessness)
- Eye irritation, dryness, or more serious issues like corneal damage
- Liver problems
- Kidney problems
- Cardiac complications
- Low potassium levels in the blood
- Unexpected bleeding (blood in stool or urine)
- Allergic reactions (swelling of lips, itching, rash)
- Seizures, loss of consciousness, or bleeding in the brain
- Frequent urination with pain or burning sensation
How To Use
- Use this medicine according to the dose and duration prescribed by your physician.
- Take it in its whole form without crushing or breaking.
- This tablet must be used on an empty stomach.
Safety Advice
Consult your doctor, as the interaction of alcohol with this tablet is still unknown, but you should avoid the consumption of alcohol while taking Afanat 40mg tablets.
Do not take Afanat 40mg tablet during pregnancy, as it is a highly unsafe medicine for the fetus.
Afanat 40mg tablet is unsafe to use during breastfeeding as it may cause toxicity to the baby.
Afanat 40mg tablets may cause side effects such as dizziness or lack of concentration, which could affect your ability to drive. So it's better to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery.
Consumption of Afanat 40mg tablets should be avoided without informing the doctor if you have any kidney-related issues.
Consumption of Afanat 40mg tablets should be avoided without informing the doctor if you have any liver-related issues.
Missed Doses
- It is advisable to avoid missing any doses.
- In case you miss a dose of Afanat 40mg tablets consult your doctor immediately.
- In case you forget to take your dose of Afanat 40 Tablet, take it as soon as you remember.
- But if it is near the time for your next dose, avoid taking the missed dose and resume with your normal routine.
Quick Tips
- The prescription for Afanat 40 Tablet is meant for treating certain kinds of lung cancer (non-small cell lung cancer).
- Take Afanat 40 Tablet on an empty stomach, either at least 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after a meal.
- Diarrhea is a common side effect of Afanat 40 Tablet. Diarrhea may be severe in some cases. Your doctor may prescribe medicines to manage diarrhea. Ensure that you stay well-hydrated and follow the dosage guidelines carefully.
- Skin sensitivity to sunlight exposure is a possible adverse effect of Afanat 40 Tablet. Limit your exposure to the sun whenever possible. Apply sunscreen, and dress accordingly to protect yourself when in the sun.
- Redness, rash, and acne may occur as a result of taking Afanat 40 Tablet. Take prompt measures against any skin reaction.
- Practice contraception throughout your use of this tablet and one month after you stop using it.
- Keep track of your blood pressure consistently while on this medication. Alert your healthcare provider if you experience signs of high blood pressure like severe headaches, confusion, visual impairment, nausea, and vomiting.
- You should avoid using this medicine during pregnancy, when planning to become pregnant, or when breastfeeding.
- This medicine is prescribed for the management of thyroid cancer.
- Employ effective birth control methods during the use of this medicine and even one month after stopping the use of this medicine.
- Check your blood pressure levels while using this tablet.
- Consult your physician if you have any symptoms of hypertension such as extreme headaches, confusion, visual impairment, nausea, or vomiting.
It can lead to bleeding disorders. - Seek medical advice if you suffer from headaches, abdominal pain, blood in your feces or urine.
FAQs
Afanat 40mg tablet is an anticancer medicine that is used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
References
- Joshi, M., Rizvi, S. M., & Belani, C. P. (2015). Afatinib for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer management and research, 75-82.
- Kumar, S., & Agrawal, R. (2014). Next generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI): afatinib. Recent patents on anti-cancer drug discovery, 9(3), 382-393.
- Kim, Y., Lee, S. H., Ahn, J. S., Ahn, M. J., Park, K., & Sun, J. M. (2019). Efficacy and safety of afatinib for EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer, compared with gefitinib or erlotinib. Cancer research and treatment: official journal of Korean Cancer Association, 51(2), 502-509.
- Giordano, P., Manzo, A., Montanino, A., Costanzo, R., Sandomenico, C., Piccirillo, M. C., ... & Morabito, A. (2016). Afatinib: An overview of its clinical development in non-small-cell lung cancer and other tumors. Critical reviews in oncology/hematology, 97, 143-151.
- Saber, A., Hiltermann, T. J. N., Kok, K., & Groen, H. J. M. (2016). Resistance mechanisms after tyrosine kinase inhibitors afatinib and crizotinib in non-small cell lung cancer, a review of the literature. Critical reviews in oncology/hematology, 100, 107-116.
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