The drug "Iressa" is an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase (ie, a substance that inhibits the production of this enzyme and the physicochemical processes associated with it). Tyrosine kinase stimulates the growth of the epidermis, which is typical for many large tumors. And the effect of the drug slows down this process and, in addition, prevents the onset and spread of metastases, the formation of new blood vessels in the tumor, and also accelerates the apoptosis process (the decay of malignant cells into separate neutral components).
The main active ingredient of the drug - gefitinib - not only inhibits tumor growth, but also enhances the effectiveness of radiation, chemo and hormonal therapy.
About generics of the drug
As with many new generation antitumor drugs, the price of Iressa tablets is quite high (it fluctuates around 300 thousand rubles). And this often leads to predicament patients who are forced to acquire them. In this case, to their rescue comes the generic “Iressa” - Geftinat, manufactured by the famous Indian company Natco Pharma.
The named drug is produced under an official license and is no different from its branded counterpart. It has the same composition and, accordingly, the same efficiency as Iressa, while its price is much lower.
This is due to the fact that the cost of a generic does not include the costs of the enterprise for development, testing and advertising. And this significantly reduces the cost and, consequently, the retail price of the drug.
Where to buy the drug "Iressa" and its analogues
In Russia, Iressa generics from well-known Indian manufacturers can be purchased on the special website of a large Indian company with a 5-year reputation . Moreover, when buying a generic, you will spend a significantly smaller amount, since the price for it is more than ten times lower than for a branded drug.
The condition for the provision of services is the availability of relevant documents that can confirm the need for modern treatment.
Indications for use
"Iressa" is prescribed only by the attending physician, if necessary, to slow the growth of malignant tumors in the lungs and bronchi, as well as in the diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer.
The active substance of the drug "Iressa" is effective if pathological cells in a cancer patient are not susceptible to the effects of chemotherapy using platinum preparations.
How to take the drug "Iressa": instructions
The product is intended for oral use only. It is taken strictly according to the prescription of the attending physician - at the same time, not correlating it with food intake.
As a rule, Iressa, like its generic, is prescribed one tablet once a day. In situations where, for some reason, the next medication was missed, it should be done no later than 12 hours before a new dose.
Please note that two tablets at a time are an unacceptable dose!
If the patient cannot swallow the tablet whole, it can be dissolved in 100 ml of still water, not kneading, and drink or enter the patient through a probe. And in order to get the full dose in this case, after drinking the contents, the glass is again filled with water and, having washed the walls, they are drunk.
In patients with allergic reactions, interstitial pneumonia, severe diarrhea and other side effects that arose during treatment, a break in the use of the drug is possible for up to 14 days. After that, treatment is continued according to the standard scheme.
Side effects
The reviews available on the drug "Iressa" say that most often side effects during its administration are skin and acne, itching, dry skin and mucous membranes, stomatitis and diarrhea.
These reactions occur, as a rule, in the first month of therapy and are reversible. Only in 3% of patients, adverse reactions force them to stop further treatment.
In addition to these, other undesirable manifestations are noted:
- nosebleeds;
- nausea;
- vomiting
- asthenia;
- anorexia;
- conjunctivitis;
- blepharitis;
- changes in the nail plates;
- hyperthermia;
- xerophthalmia;
- interstitial pneumonia (if ignoring its symptoms, death is possible).
The use of a drug leads to a change in some laboratory indicators. So, in the patient’s blood, the content of creatinine and bilirubin increases, and in the urine - protein.
Contraindications
"Iressa" is not prescribed for patients who are allergic to the substances that make up the tablets. It is also not used in pediatrics and for the treatment of pregnant or lactating women.
In the presence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, elevated levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin, as well as hereditary lactose intolerance, the drug should be used with caution.
Patients with concomitant pneumonia (drug, interstitial or post-radiation), the use of Iressa tablets should be carried out under the strict supervision of a specialist.
Overdose
Exceeding the dose of the drug can lead to severe violations of the gastrointestinal tract, skin rash and a high severity of signs of side effects.
Symptomatic therapy is used to treat overdose.