IRESSA 250 mg – Gefitinib Tablet

Gefitinib 250mg Tablets

Gefitinib is a targeted therapy, it is a generic (analogous) preparation of Iressa- which has a high anticancer activity. The original tool is designed and manufactured in the US. Geftinat and Iressa have the same active substance, thus having similar properties, the only difference is the cost (Enquiry online at Galaxysuperspeciality at affordable prices). Iressa (Gefitnib) 250mg Tablet is prescription anticancer medicine that is manufactured by Astra Zeneca Pharma India Limited. It functions by interfering with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Indication for use of Gefitinib:
(In case of non- small cell lung cancer, with metastases or in a locally advanced form)
The foremost line of chemotherapy takes place in the presence of receptors of EGF (the Epidermal Growth Factor) mutations of tyrosine kinase domain.
The second line of treatment is the usage of drugs like Gefitinib 250 mg which is used in the progression of a tumour after the unsuccessful first line of chemotherapy or against its background (if the first line was carried out with the drugs that contain derivates of docetaxel or platinum and resulted in the immunity of cancer cells to the used drugs). These tablets are also approved as the third line of therapy.
It is a rare possibility that the non- small cell lung cancer is diagnosed in the early 1st and 2nd stages, where the treatment of the disease becomes easier. More than 40% of the cases are diagnosed during the fourth stage of cancer (with metastases). In such a case the struggle from only treating the disease shifts to increasing the life expectancy and improving the quality of the patient’s life by reducing the symptoms. This happens because by the time of the fourth stage there is no chance of a complete cure- such a therapy is referred to as a conservative one.
Gefitinib are the drugs that are relatively low in toxicity, so it can be used for treating the weakened and elderly patients.
You can enquiry Gefitinib online from Galaxysuperspeciality that provides genuine medicines with direct shipment from the manufacturer. They have obtained contracts directly on the manufacturer’s website for countries like USA, Peru, Romania, China and Russia or in the country of its production.

Note: Gefitinib 250mg Tablets are only available with a prescription.

Composition of Gefitinib 250mg:
Composition of the generic drug Gefitinib is almost identical to the preparation of the original Iressa.
Gefitinib 250 mg is an active ingredient. It acts as an inhibitor of the hyperactive trans-membrane receptor of the particular protein that stimulates growth of the cell and mutations that lead to the formation of the cancer cells.
Lactose monohydrate 245 mg is filler in a dosage form that is used for lowering the cost while still providing high stability and weak hygroscopicity.
Microcrystalline cellulose- 67 mg is an emulsifier and also a filler of a dosage form.
Croscarmellose sodium- 20 mg is a disintegrated dosage form that is used for increasing the solubility of the active substance and it also ensures a high bio-availability of the drug.
Sodium lauryl sulfate 6 mg acts as a binder component that ensures a uniform mixing of the dissimilar ingredients.
Magnesium stearate 7 mg works as a stabilizer, a thickener and filler in a dosage form.
Polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 (5 mg) acts as a binding agent, which increases the solubility and bio-availability of the active ingredients.

The composition of the Gefitinib 250 mg tablets includes the following components:
• 60% of hypromellose
• 23% of titanium dioxide
• 12% of polyethylene glycol
• less than 5% of talc
• less than 0.1% in aggregate (iron oxide red and yellow)

The composition of Gefitinib provides the maximum possible amount of bio- availability of the drug with directed action. The shell of the tablet helps in maintaining the integrity and shape of the tablet, while also providing a gradual and long-term dissolution of the tablets.

Uses of Gefitinib 250 mg:
The main effect and use of Gefitinib is focussed on blocking the tyrosine kinase in the receptors of the epidermal growth factor. This is the mechanism which helps in achieving the following result:
• Inhibition of tumour growth
• A decrease in the probability or a slowing down of the rates of metastasis
• Inhibition of angiogenesis
• Acceleration of apoptosis of tumour cells

Amongst other useful properties of Gefitinib 250 mg tablets it also includes:
• An increase in the antitumor activity of other chemotherapeutic drugs along with the effectiveness of hormonal and radiotherapy also increases.
Therefore, it is suggested the complex treatment takes precedence than the simpler ones.

Note: Do not forget that the effect of Gefitinib leads to an increase in the time of progression of the disease, which means there is an increase in the timing of remission or relapse period of the disease (This informational data has been confirmed statistically).

Gefitinib 250mg has a dominant difference from other some similar drugs that have less toxicity which helps in reducing the list of their side effects and contraindications. Because of this, during the treatment, the patient’s quality of life is practically higher than that of patients consuming other similar drugs. Although, this aspect has no affect on the overall survival level focussed in the direction of decrease of the disease, thus the performance indicators of this drug are at a sufficiently high level.

The objective response of the patient to the drug at the second and third lines of treatment is approximately 19% -which is about 2.5 times more than what is measured with docetaxel. At the third and fourth lines of therapy- this indicator lowers and ranges from approximately 9% to 12%. In that case, the symptomatic improvement already happens in the first few days of chemotherapy.
A higher degree of effectiveness is observed with the optimal bio-availability of the drug with an average of 59%. It should also be noted that, the volume distribution of the active substance indicates its extensive nature. In other words with an excessive increase in the amount of the drug that is administered to the tissues, its effectiveness does not necessarily increase.

It was also observed that an increase in the daily dosage of twice (i.e. up to 500 mg), does not lead to an increase in the efficacy but on the contrary increases the toxicity of therapy, the risk of the side effects and the level of total intoxication of the body.
Contraindications of Gefitinib 250 mg:

Chemotherapy is often linked with a high risk of intoxication within the body that affects the vital organs and leads to worsening of the general well- being of the patient. Because of this the antitumor drug of any form when administered lead to a number of contraindications and can have some side effect thereafter worsening the quality of life.
The major contraindications are:

The most trivial contraindication can be administering self- medication. This happens as the patient is not equipped to assess the benefit to harm ratio of this medication. Before administering the medication a thorough examination by a specialised medical professional in oncology is necessary who will carry out all the necessary diagnostic procedures that need to be taken into account with the general condition of the patient and prescribed with additional medications or medical procedures under constant medical supervision. The therapy must also ensure a direct involvement of the doctor due to its high intoxication rate.
During the use of this medication with pregnancy, the period of gestation and lactation to the time the children turn the age of 18, there is a chance of presence of allergies to the active substance or ancillary components.

Instructions for the Use of Gefitinib:
• The recommended daily dosage of the active ingredient of the anti-cancer drug Gefitnib (Iressa) is 250 mg.
• It is prescribed regardless of the patient’s:
o condition
o age
o sexual or racial affiliation
o kidney function or liver failure in either of two forms (moderate or severe)
o association with metastatic liver damage
o body weight
• The missed dose can be consumed only if there is a slot of more than 12 hours remaining until the time the next tablet needs to be taken.
• It is strictly forbidden to exceed the daily dosage amount, as this can result in an increased chance of toxicity from the drug.
• Do not cut the medicine into pieces and consume it as a whole.
• Short-term interruption of the treatment is possible but that may result in poorly treatable diarrhoea condition, plus the negative reactions on the skin such as rashes. (The duration of the break must not exceed more than 14 days. The resumption of the course of therapy should occur with the initial dosage format of 250 mg.)
• The drug can be taken regardless of the food intake as the consumption of food does not affect its bio- availability. It should also be ensured that the bio- availability of the drug is affected by the high acidic level of the gastric juices within the stomach, reducing the index to about 47%.
• During the therapy as well as within 3-4 months after the treatment ends, the patient and his sexual partner must use reliable contraceptives.

Note: the above discussed instructions are intended to familiarize the patients with the effect of the drug and are not recommended for self- treatment.

Side Effects:
• Diarrhoea
• Skin Rashes
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Itching
• Poor appetite
• Eye Irritation
• Cough
• Breathing Problems
• High Temperature
• Infections
• Weight Loss
• Dry Mouth
• Bleeding (most commonly nose- bleeding)
• Nail Problems
• Hair Rash

Permanently Discontinue Tablets if:

• Confirmed interstitial lung disease
• Persistent ulcerative keratitis
• Gastrointestinal perforation
• Severe hepatic impairment