While you are taking the medication, cetuximab may have severe or fatal side effects. Although they can happen at any point during therapy, these responses are more likely after receiving the first dose of cetuximab. Each time you get cetuximab, your doctor will closely monitor you during the procedure and for as least an hour afterwards. Inform your doctor if you have a red meat allergy or if you’ve ever had a tick bite. Following your infusion, if you suffer any of the following symptoms, call your doctor right once. Sudden trouble breathing, wheezing or noisy breathing, swelling of the cheeks, lips, tongue, eyes, or throat, hoarseness, hives, dizziness, nausea, fever, chills, or chest pain or pressure. Any of these symptoms should be treated by your doctor, who may also choose to slow down or stop your infusion. It’s possible that in the future, cetuximab won’t be an option for your therapy.

Radiation therapy and cetuximab therapy for head and neck cancer patients may raise the risk of cardiopulmonary arrest (condition in which the heart stops beating and respiration ceases) and unexpected death during or after treatment. Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had coronary artery disease, heart failure (a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to other parts of the body), an irregular heartbeat, another form of heart disease, or lower than normal levels of magnesium, potassium, or calcium in your blood.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To monitor your body’s reaction to cetuximab, your doctor will prescribe a number of tests both during and after your therapy.

The dangers of using cetuximab should be discussed with your doctor.

A specific type of head and neck cancer that has progressed to surrounding tissues or other areas of the body is treated with cetuximab, either in conjunction with radiation therapy or separately from it. It can also be combined with other treatments to treat a specific type of head and neck cancer that has spread to other body areas or keeps recurring after treatment. A specific type of colon (large intestine) or rectum cancer that has spread to other parts of the body is also treated with cetuximab, either by itself or in combination with other drugs. Monoclonal antibodies are a group of drugs that includes cetuximab. It functions by reducing or halting the development of cancer cells.

Cetuximab is available as a solution (liquid) that should be slowly infused (injected) into a vein. In a doctor’s office or infusion facility, a nurse or doctor administers cetuximab. Cetuximab will be administered to you over a 2-hour period the first time, and then over a 1-hour period for subsequent doses. For as long as your doctor advises you to pursue treatment, cetuximab is typically administered every 1 to 2 weeks.

If you suffer certain adverse effects, your doctor may need to modify your treatment plan, reduce your dosage, postpone or stop your therapy, or administer other medications. During your cetuximab therapy, be sure to let your doctor know how you are feeling.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before receiving treatment with cetuximab,

• Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies to red meat, galactose, other drugs, or any of the substances in cetuximab. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist. Moreover, mention any tick bites you may have had to your doctor and pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use.
• If you have heart illness now or ever, notify your doctor.
• If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Before beginning treatment, you must take a pregnancy test. Throughout your cetuximab therapy and for at least two months following your final dose, you shouldn’t get pregnant. See your physician about birth control options you can take while undergoing therapy. Call your doctor right away if you find out you’re pregnant while taking cetuximab.
• If you are breastfeeding, let your doctor know. During therapy and for two months following your last dose, your doctor might advise against breastfeeding.
• You should be aware that this medicine may lower a woman’s fertility. You should discuss the dangers of receiving cetuximab with your doctor.
• During and for two months after your cetuximab therapy, avoid unnecessary or extended sun exposure and use protective clothes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Call your doctor as soon as possible if you fail to show up for a cetuximab dosing visit.

Side effects from cetuximab are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, consult your doctor:

• Similar to acne
• Cracked or parched skin
• Itching
• Changes in the fingernails or toenails, such as swelling or pain
• Itching, bloodshot, or red eyes (s)
• Red or enlarged eyelid (s)
• An eyeache or burning sensation (s)
• Sensitivity to light in the eyes
• Hair fall
• Greater development of hair on the head, face, eyelashes, or chest
• Rough lips
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Arm or leg tingling, numbness, discomfort, or burning
• Mouth ache
• Lips, mouth, or throat sores
• Unwell throat
• Alterations in food taste
• Reduced appetite
• Slim down
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Heartburn
• Joints hurt
• Bone ache
• The injection site may experience pain, redness, or edoema

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs or any of those in the IMPORTANT CAUTION section:

• Absence of vision
• Skin that is shedding, burning, or peeling
• Skin that is rosy, puffy, or diseased
• Chest pain, a new or worsening cough, or shortness of breath

Further negative effects of cetuximab are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Call 1-800-222-1222 to reach the poison control hotline in the event of an overdose. You can get information online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call emergency services at 911 right away if the sufferer has fallen, experienced a seizure, is having problems breathing, or cannot be roused.

If you have any concerns regarding your cetuximab therapy, ask your doctor.

Before you start treatment for some illnesses, your doctor may run a lab test to see whether cetuximab can be used to treat your cancer.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.