What side effects can Iressa (gefitinib) cause?
Iressa (gefitinib) can cause both common and serious side effects. The most frequently reported include skin and digestive problems, as well as fatigue.
Common side effects reported with Iressa include:
- Diarrhea
- Skin rash and acne-like eruptions
- Dry skin (xerosis) and itching
- Nausea
- Reduced appetite
- Fatigue or weakness
What serious side effects should patients watch for?
Some effects can be severe or require urgent medical attention. Patients taking Iressa are typically monitored for:
- Lung problems (including interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis), which can present with new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, fever, or breathing difficulty.
- Severe or persistent diarrhea/dehydration.
- Severe skin reactions.
- Liver problems, which may show up as abnormal liver tests or symptoms such as yellowing of the skin/eyes and dark urine.
When do side effects usually show up?
Side effects can start soon after beginning treatment, especially skin rash/diarrhea and fatigue. Lung symptoms can develop at any time during therapy, so new respiratory complaints while on Iressa should be evaluated promptly.
Are the side effects different for people with lung cancer or after other treatments?
Iressa is used for non-small cell lung cancer, and side effects are generally related to the drug itself rather than the cancer stage. However, symptoms like cough or breathing trouble can overlap with lung cancer or prior lung treatments, which is why clinicians treat new/worsening respiratory symptoms as potentially drug-related until proven otherwise.
What should patients do if side effects start?
Patients should contact their oncology team if they develop:
- Any new or worsening shortness of breath, cough, or fever
- Severe diarrhea, signs of dehydration, or inability to keep fluids down
- Rash that is severe or involves blisters/peeling skin
- Signs of liver problems (yellow skin/eyes, dark urine)
Your prescriber may adjust the dose or pause treatment depending on severity.
Sources
- [1] DrugPatentWatch.com – Iressa (gefitinib) information: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/