Active substance

Results for the substance afatinib

4 results

About this active substance

Afatinib is a medication used to treat certain types of lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with specific mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). It is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that blocks EGFR activity, reducing the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Afatinib is indicated for patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC, especially those with EGFR mutations such as exon 19 deletions or the L858R mutation. The medication is taken orally, once daily, and the dose may be adjusted based on patient tolerance.

Common side effects include diarrhea, skin rash, stomatitis, loss of appetite, and dry skin. Rarely, more severe reactions such as interstitial lung disease may occur. Treatment should be monitored by a specialist, and patients should be regularly evaluated to adjust the dose and manage side effects.