Tagrix

Uses
Tagrix (Osimertinib Mesylate) is prescribed to treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in patients with T790M mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene, who developed progressive disease during and after EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. The medication can be prescribed only after the mutation has been confirmed by the laboratory tests.

Tagrix (Osimertinib Mesylate) is epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitor. The medication irreversibly binds with the mutant forms of the EGFR genes (such as T790M, L858R, and a deletion in the 19th exon), which determine the resistance to other chemical substances. According to the research, Tagrix (Osimertinib Mesylate) proved highly active towards EGFR mutations of the non-small cell lung cancer and in a less degree towards wild type EGFR gene.

After ingesting the medication, the following two metabolites are found in the blood of patients - AZ7550 and AZ5104, both of them possessing similar therapeutic effect. The range of activity of AZ7550 turned out to be identical to Osimertinib Mesylate, while AZ5104 showed higher efficiency against T790M mutation, deletion in the 19th exon, and wild type EGFR.

Dosage and Administration
The usual recommended dose of Tagrix (Osimertinib Mesylate) is 80 mg taken once a day. The tablets are taken orally with or without food. The treatment must be stopped if the cancer deteriorates or intolerable adverse events occur. For patients experiencing difficulties swallowing the medication can be dissolved in 50 ml of still water and administered through a nasogastric tube. If you miss a dose, the treatment should continued according to the prescribed schedule. Do not take the missed dose.

Side effects
Tagrix (Osimertinib Mesylate) may cause the following most common (registered in over than 10% cases) side effects:

• Diarrhea;
• Rash;
• Dry skin;
• Fragile nails;
• Nausea;
• Decreased appetite;
• Cough;
• Fatigue;
• Headaches;
• Stomatitis.

Tagrix (Osimertinib Mesylate) may also trigger more rare (registered in less than 2% cases) severe reactions, such as:

• Neutropenia;
• Pulmonary embolism;
• Interstitial lung pathologies / pneumonitis;
• QTc interval prolongation in ECG;
• Cerebrovascular disturbance.

Precautions
Tagrix (Osimertinib Mesylate) can lead to the lung and heart disorders. Please contact your physician in case you feel any related symptoms, such as:

• Difficulty breathing;
• Shortness of breath;
• Cough;
• Fever;
• Increased heart rate;
• Legs swelling;
• Dizziness.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your physician will adjust the dose or stop the treatment. To identify any complications in a timely manner, the patients are also advised to have ultrasonic cardiography and MUGA (multigated acquisition) scan on a regular basis. Tagrix (Osimertinib Mesylate) can affect fetus development; therefore patients must not plan pregnancy while on therapy. Female patients are advised to use adequate birth control methods on therapy and six weeks after the medication has been discontinued; male patients - on therapy and four months after the medication has been discontinued. Please make sure to inform your physician about all other medications, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal products, that you're taking.