Препарат «Иресса» является ингибитором tyrosine kinases (i.e., a substance that suppresses the production of this enzyme and the physicochemical processes associated with it). Tyrosine kinase stimulates the growth of the epidermis, which is typical of many large tumors. And the effect of the drug slows down this process and, in addition, prevents the emergence and spread of metastases, the formation of new blood vessels in the tumor, and also accelerates the process of apoptosis (the breakdown 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
Like many anticancer drugsA new generation, the price of Iressa tablets is quite high (it fluctuates around 300 thousand rubles). And this often leads to a difficult situation for patients who are forced to acquire them. He then comes to the rescue of a generic Iressa - Geftinat, produced by the famous Indian company Natco Pharma.
The named drug is produced by the officiallicense 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 thatgeneric does not cover the costs of the company for the development, testing and advertising. And this significantly reduces the cost and, as a result, 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 a special website of a large Indian company with a 5-year reputation. . Moreover, buying a generic, you spend a significantly smaller amount, since the price of it is more than ten times lower than on a branded drug.
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, by slowing the growth of malignant tumors in the lungs and bronchi, as well as in diagnosing metastatic lung cancer.
The active ingredient of the drug "Iressa" is effective if the pathological cells in the cancer patient are not susceptible to the effects of chemotherapy with the use of platinum preparations.
How to take the drug "Iressa": instructions
The product is intended for oral use only. It is taken strictly according to the instructions of the attending physician - at the same time, not relating it to food intake.
As a rule, "Iressa", as well as its generic,administered one tablet once a day. In situations where, for some reason, the next medication was missed, it should be carried out no later than 12 hours before the new one.
Note, two tablets at one time are an unacceptable dose!
If the patient cannot swallow the pillas a whole, it can be dissolved in 100 ml of non-carbonated water, without kneading, and to drink or inject the patient through a tube. And in order to get a full dose in this case, after drinking the contents, the glass is again filled with water and, having washed the walls, is drunk.
In patients with allergic reactions,interstitial pneumonia, severe diarrhea and other side effects that occurred during treatment, it is possible to take a break in the use of the drug for up to 14 days. Then the treatment is continued according to the standard scheme.
Adverse Events
Reviews about the drug "Iressa" say that most of the side effects in the process of taking it are skin and acne, itching, dry skin and mucous membranes, stomatitis and diarrhea.
The listed reactions occur, as a rule, in the first month of therapy and are reversible. Only in 3% of patients, adverse reactions are forced to stop further treatment.
In addition to the above, other undesirable manifestations are noticed:
- nasal bleeding;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- asthenia;
- anorexia;
- conjunctivitis;
- blepharitis;
- changes in the nail plate;
- hyperthermia;
- xerophthalmia;
- interstitial pneumonia (even if its symptoms are ignored, death is possible).
The use of the drug leads to a change in some laboratory parameters. Thus, in the patient's blood, the content of creatinine and bilirubin increases, and in the urine - the protein.
Contraindications to the drug
"Iressa" is not prescribed to patients who are allergic to substances that are part of 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 liver enzymes and bilirubin, as well as hereditary lactose intolerance, the drug should be used with caution.
Patients with concomitant pneumonia (drug, interstitial or postradiation), use of Iressa tablets should be carried out under the strict supervision of a specialist.
Overdose
Excess doses of the drug can lead to severe violations of the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, skin rash and high severity of signs of side effects.
Symptomatic therapy is used to treat overdose.
