Xovoltib (Afatinib)

What is Xovoltib (Afatinib)?

Xovoltib (Afatinib) is a prescription medicine that helps to treat non-small cell lung cancer in adults.

It is also used for treating adult patients who suffer from certain mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

This medicine also manages metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer in patients who have made progress due to platinum-based chemotherapy.

Xovoltib (Afatinib) is manufactured by a well-known company named Boehringer Ingelheim.

It contains an active ingredient called Afatinib dimaleate. You can find this medicine in different strengths such as Afatinib 30mg, Afatinib 40mg, Afatinib 50mg.

Patients can easily save on Afatinib price, by ordering it from a licensed online pharmacy that offers exciting deals and discounts.

Uses of Xovoltib (Afatinib)

Doctors recommend Xovoltib tablet:

• To manage metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in affected people
• To manage metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer that did not respond positively to platinum-based chemotherapy

How does Xovoltib (Afatinib) work in body?

Xovoltib tablet contains Afatinib which is an anti-cancer medicine and belongs to a class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

This medicine produces effects in body by obstructing epithelial growth factor receptors and HER2 and 4, responsible for cancer cell growth.

Hence, signalling procedure for angiogenesis and proliferation of abnormal cells is stopped.

This further results in reducing growth of abnormal cancer cells and stops metastasis of cancers or tumors.

How long does Afatinib work?

How long you can take this medicine generally depends upon how well it is working for you and side effects it causes.

Peak effect of this medication can be observed within 2 to 5 hours of taking a dose.

How to take Xovoltib (Afatinib)?

It is suggested to read patient information leaflet carefully before starting your treatment with Xovoltib.

If there is any doubt or question about this medicine then discuss it with doctor once.

Swallow one tablet as a whole with a glass of plain water without crushing, chewing, or breaking it.

Xovoltib tablet must be taken orally with or without food exactly in same way as directed by a doctor.

It is suggested to start with a low dose first and then gradually increase dose once every week.

To avoid reoccurrence, do not withdraw medicine when you start feeling better. Complete course of treatment.

Based on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment, doctor can adjust dosage of this medicine.

Your doctor will decide what dose is important and how often you must take it.

This will depend upon what you are being treated for and might change from time to time. Take it exactly as advised.

Intake of Xovoltib tablet in wrong way or taking too much can lead to serious side effects.

It might take several weeks or months for patients to see or feel benefits but do not stop taking it unless doctor suggests.

Also, do not share your medicine with another person even if he/she suffers from similar symptoms to yours.

• Missed dose

Take missed dose as soon as you remember, but if it’s time for next prescribed dosage then skip your missed dose.

Do not take missed dose within 12 hours of next dose. Contact doctor once if you miss more than one scheduled dose of Xovoltib.

• Overdose

In case of an overdose, get emergency medical help or contact a doctor immediately.

Overdose symptoms include difficulty in breathing, diarrhea, dizziness, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain, and fainting.

Precautions and warnings for Xovoltib (Afatinib)

Before starting treatment with Xovoltib (Afatinib), it is necessary to consider a few precautions and warnings.

This medicine is not recommended for use by patients who are allergic to Afatinib or other ingredients present in medication.

Xovoltib tablets might contain certain inactive ingredients which can cause you allergic reactions or allergies.

This medication must be used with caution in patients with an elderly age group because Xovoltib can develop further medical ailments or worsen conditions.

Unless necessary, Afatinib should not be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women. Discuss all benefits and risks linked with this medicine.

It is necessary to use this drug with caution because it might increase risk of experiencing serious skin reactions like SJS and TEN.

Use this medicine with caution as it can increase risk of experiencing serious diarrhea, leading to dehydration and renal impairment.

Temporary treatment discontinuation or dose modification might be required for patients if condition does not improve or worsen.

Before starting treatment with this medication, inform doctor about your medical history, especially of:

• Breathing problems
• Kidney disorders
• Liver disease

In case, you take any medicines to treat your allergy conditions then let doctor know about it beforehand.

This will help doctor to recommend dosage of Xovoltib accordingly and adjust dose of other medications.

Use of effective contraception by females during treatment is necessary to avoid pregnancy effectively.

Side effects of Xovoltib (Afatinib)

Remember doctor has prescribed this medicine because he/she thinks benefits of Xovoltib are greater when compared to side effects.

However, not all patients undergoing treatment with this medicine suffer from serious side effects.

Some suffer only with mild side effects which disappear after some time when your body adjusts to this medication.

This medicine can cause common, uncommon, and rare side effects to patients, if not taken as directed by a doctor.

However, following the doctor’s direction for the prescribed dosage can help you avoid Afatinib side effects.

Here are some side effects of Xovoltib:

Common

• Diarrhea
• Dry eye
• Nausea
• Nail infection
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Stomach pain
• Mouth sores

Uncommon

• Bloating, loss of appetite
• Serious stomach pain and tenderness due to a tear in stomach

Rare

• Peeling of skin or severe blistering

This is not a complete list of side effects, you can experience other effects as well.

Call doctor promptly, if any of these side effects continue or become worse with time.

Interactions

Drug interaction can change working mechanism of your medicine or alter its benefits.

Keep a list of all products you use including prescription & non-prescription medicines and herbal supplements.

Do not start, stop, or change dosage of any medicines without approval from your doctor.

Before you start taking Xovoltib tablet, inform doctor if you take following medicines:

• Ritonavir, Ketoconazole, Nelfinavir, Itraconazole
• Verapamil, Amiodarone, and quinidine
• Cyclosporine A
• Carbamazepine, Phenytoin and Phenobarbital
• John’s wort
• Rosuvastatin
• Sulfasalazine
• Rifampicin

Storage

It is suggested to store Xovoltib (Afatinib) at room temperature away from moisture and sunlight.

Keep this medicine away from children and pets strictly.

Frequently asked questions about Xovoltib (Afatinib) (FAQs)

• What is Xovoltib tablet used for?

Xovoltib tablet is an anticancer medication that manages metastatic and squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

It is also used when prior chemotherapy treatment is insufficient to cure non-small cell lung cancer in adult patients.

• Is it safe to use Afatinib in children?

No, the Afatinib dose is not recommended for use in children and adolescents.

If this medicine is ingested accidentally by an adolescent or adult then contact a doctor immediately.

• What can I do if I get diarrhea due to Xovoltib (Afatinib) tablet?

When it comes to Xovoltib tablets, diarrhea is a very common side effect.

Serious diarrhea can lead to excessive loss of body fluids & kidney disorders. This can even lead to death.

The moment you experience first symptoms of diarrhea, start drinking plenty of fluids and contact doctor.

Doctor will probably start effective antidiarrheal treatment as soon as possible.

If you develop serious diarrhea then doctor can also reduce dose or discontinue treatment with Afatinib.

• Can pregnant or breastfeeding women take Xovoltib tablets?

Xovoltib tablet is not recommended for use by pregnant women because it might harm an unborn baby.

Women of childbearing potential must use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and must continue for almost 2 weeks after receiving last dose of Xovoltib tablet.

This medication is not suggested for use in breastfeeding women and also breast-feed should be avoided when taking this medication and for 14 days after last dose of Afatinib.

• What should be avoided during treatment with Xovoltib tablet?

Make sure to avoid sun exposure as Xovoltib tablet can make skin sensitive to sun.

Also, you can get serious sunburn or might develop rash or acne or this condition can get worse.

Make sure to use effective sunscreen and wear a hat whenever moving out in sun. Wear clothes that cover your skin properly.