Erbitux (generic name: cetuximab) is a medication used to treat colon, rectal, head and neck cancers. According to MedlinePlus, Erbitux belongs to a group of medicines known as monoclonal antibodies. It slows the progression of cancer cell growth but does not cure the cancer. Typically, the initial Erbitux dose is given as an intravenous (via your vein) infusion of 400 milligrams per meters-squared over a period of 120 minutes. The National Library of Medicine indicates that you will then receive weekly intravenous infusions of 250 milligrams per meters-squared of Erbitux over a 60-minute time period.
Routine Side Effects
Erbitux is a toxic chemotherapeutic medicine that can cause various systemic bodily reactions. According to MedlinePlus, it can cause headache, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and constipation. Erbitux can also cause heartburn, unintentional weight loss, back pain and irritation, redness and swelling at the injection site. Erbitux's other prevalent effects include dry skin, chapped lips, mouth sores, ocular (of the eye) light sensitivity, alopecia (hair loss), red or swollen eyes, dysphagia (trouble swallowing), poor appetite, trouble sleeping, a rash that appears like acne and pain in your toenails or fingernails. Do not be alarmed if you have these side effects as Erbitux is expected to provoke these effects. When these symptoms become bothersome and unbearable, tell your physician and she can give you medications to reduce them.
Serious Side Effects
Drugs.com says that Erbitux can cause confusion, bradycardia (a slow heartbeat), chest pain, fainting, easy bruising or bleeding, fevers and sweating. It can cause decreased or frequent urination, fainting, breathing cessation, shoulder or arm pain and white patches on your mouth or lips. Erbitux can cause tremors, constrictions of your feet or hands, coughing up blood, tachycardia (fast heartbeat), peripheral edema (swelling of your extremities) and red or itchy skin. Get your doctor's help right away, because these effects are potentially fatal.
According to the National Library of Medicine, Erbitux can cause a serious and potentially deadly infusion reaction. Symptoms include hypotension (low blood pressure), unconsciousness, a myocardial infarction (heart attack), hoarseness, trouble breathing and even cardiac arrest.
Additional Concerns
You should avoid Erbitux if you are allergic to cetuximab. It can cause respiratory difficulties, hives and edema (swelling) of your face, throat, lips or throat.
The National Library of Medicine indicates that you should take caution when using Erbitux if you suffer from lung disease. Erbitux can exacerbate your respiratory symptoms such as coughing or trouble breathing.
Use caution when combining Erbitux with cisplatin and radiation therapy. The National Library of Medicine says that 2 of 21 patients died in this study.
Inform your doctor if you have heart arrythmias (irregular heartbeats), coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure or breathing difficulties. Erbitux can exacerbate these medical conditions and lead to the aforementioned effects.
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