Detailed discussion on Lapatinib

Patients with HER2 positive type metastatic breast cancer and lung cancer with somatic mutations in EGFR are prescribed Lapatinib or Tykerb. It is an ERBB2 and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor that can bind with the proteins to stop their actions on the cancer cells. It can be given alone or in combination with other chemotherapy drugs and hormone therapies. 

The benefits of Lapatinib

It has been classified as a signal transduction inhibitor that can target the cancer cell-stimulating proteins like HER2 and EGFR, which are found in huge numbers on them. That successfully interferes with the process of cell division and the growth of cancer cells inside the body. Lapatinib is both preferred as a first therapy and is also effective in patients who have undergone prior chemotherapy. 

Lapatinib—dosage and precautionary measures

It needs to be consumed in tablet form one hour before or after having food in the exact dose, which has been recommended by the doctor. The typical dose is Lapatinib 250 mg per day. However, your physician can modify it based on your medical history, the extent of the disease, and response from the body. It is also essential to take the Lapatinib tablet at the same time every day. Make sure to swallow the tablet whole and not divide the doses. 

Precautionary measures to take while taking Lapatinib

1. It is mandatory to inform your doctor about the medications that you’ve been taking at present, while (before) starting Lapatinib. It includes even vitamin supplements and herbal remedies. This is because the drug may interact with the constituents of the medicines, and the treatment procedure can be severely affected.
2. Make sure to consult your doctor before getting any immunization shots while the drug therapy is going on. 
3. Lapatinib may cause a potential hazard to the fetus of a pregnant woman. The ingredients of the drug can cause harm to the baby while breastfeeding as well. Therefore, it is safe to wait for a week after the treatment has been stopped before resuming breastfeeding. 
4. Use contraceptives during the course of the therapy to avoid getting pregnant. 
5. The patient must avoid grapefruit products strictly while taking Tykerb 250 mg. 
6. Keep alcoholic beverages to a minimum or try to avoid it altogether during this time. 

Lapatinib Side Effects

• Diarrhea
• A decrease in the count of red blood cells or anemia 
• Elevated liver enzymes like increase in bilirubin, AST and ALT levels
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Dizziness 
• QT prolongation (abnormal heart rhythm that causes fainting)
• Hand-foot syndrome or the Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia which leads to skin conditions like rash, swelling, pain, and peeling of skin on palms and soles of feet

These are the commonly occurred side effects of Lapatinib 250mg. However, the effects are tolerable as these are inconsistent side effects that don’t cause much hassle. In some cases, your doctor will prescribe medications to handle some side effects like nausea and diarrhea. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids during this time because Lapatinib has a high chance of causing dehydration. Furthermore, if you have a fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher immediately consult your doctor. 

Conclusion 

Store the medicine at a safe room temperature of 15 degrees to 30 degrees Celsius. Before prescribing, your doctor will conduct medical exams to determine whether the patient is suitable for this EGFR and HER2 inhibitor, i.e., whether the tumor has a specific genetic mutation that can be affected by this targeted drug therapy. Other than that, frequent testing will also be done to check the progression of the disease. Lapatinib price is quite high- $8730 per dosage. Therefore, it is important to have all the medical insurance papers to cover the cost. 

FAQ's

Is Lapatinib a chemotherapy medicine?

No, Lapatinib is a targeted medicine, belonging to a class of anti-cancer. This class of drugs are more specific than the chemotherapy in their mechanisms of action.

Can Lapatinib be given together with the other anti-cancer drug?

Yes, Lapatinib can be used together with other anti-cancer drugs.

• It is used together with capecitabine in order to treat advanced breast cancer in patients who've already taken treatment with chemotherapy.
• It is also used together with letrozole in order to treat breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

How Lapatinib Tablets should be taken?

Lapatinib tablets should be taken exactly as your doctor instructed. Swallow a lapatinib 250 mg tablet whole through a glass of water, at the same time each day. It is advised to take it 1-hour prior to or 1-hour following meals. 

Does Lapatinib have any effect on the liver?

Lapatinib may be responsible for causing liver damage which could be severe or life threatening. The liver damage may occur as soon as several days or as late as several months following the initiation of treatment with lapatinib. Inform your healthcare team in case you've or had liver disease. 

How long after Lapatinib treatment can I plan pregnancy?

It is recommended to use an effective method of contraception in order to avoid pregnancy while on lapatinib treatment and continue for at least 1-week following the last dose. Inform your healthcare practitioner in case you become pregnant. 

How can I manage diarrhea while on Lapatinib?

In case you suffer from diarrhoea while on Lapatinib, certain things needs to be followed:

• Drink plenty of fluids (8-10 glasses in a day) such as sports drinks, water or other clear liquids.
• Eat low-fat, high protein foods rather than fatty/spicy foods.
• Eat cooked vegetables rather than raw vegetables. 
• Remove the skin from fruits prior to eating. 
• Try to avoid milk and milk products (including ice cream) and herbal supplements (some may be responsible for causing diarrhoea).
• Inform your healthcare practitioner, in case diarrhoea is persistent.

NOTE: The piece of information mentioned about "Detailed discussion on Lapatinib" in this article is just for the informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis of a qualified doctor.

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