الأدوية والمكملات الغذائية

Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before using this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine comes with a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Full Dose: You will be given medicines to help prevent diarrhea (including loperamide) during your first dose of neratinib. Continue taking these medicines for 2 cycles (56 days) of treatment with neratinib. Keep the number of your bowel movements at 1 to 2 per day and take anti-diarrhea medicines only as directed by your doctor.

Lower starting dose: Your doctor may also give you a lower starting dose for the first 2 weeks of treatment and then increase you to a full dose to help prevent diarrhea.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it. Take the medicine with food and at the same time each day.

If you are also using an antacid, take it 3 hours before using neratinib.

Take neratinib at least 2 hours before or 10 hours after an H2 blocker (eg, ranitidine).

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For treatment of early stage of breast cancer:
    • Adults—At first, 240 milligrams (mg) (6 tablets) taken once a day for at least 1 year. Some patients may start at 120 mg (3 tablets) once a day on Week 1 (Days 1 to 7), followed by 160 mg (4 tablets) once a day on Week 2 (Days 8 to 14), and then 240 mg (6 tablets) once a day on Week 3 and onwards. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For treatment of advanced or metastatic breast cancer:
    • Adults—At first, 240 milligrams (mg) (6 tablets) taken once a day on Days 1 to 21 of a 21-day cycle taken together with capecitabine 750 milligrams per square meter (mg/m[2]) taken twice a day on Days 1 to 14 of a 21-day cycle. Some patients may start at 120 mg (3 tablets) once a day on Week 1 (Days 1 to 7), followed by 160 mg (4 tablets) once a day on Week 2 (Days 8 to 14), and then 240 mg (6 tablets) once a day on Week 3 and onwards. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.