Uses
Erbitux (Cetuximab) is an anticancer drug used to treat such pathologi as metastatic colorectal cancer (in combination with standard chemotherapy or as monotherapy in case of failure of previous chemotherapy with irinotecan or oxaliplatin, as well as in case of irinotecan intolerance); squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in combination with radiation therapy; recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in case of failure of previous chemotherapy based on platinum drugs. Cetuximab refers to monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to receptors of the epidermal growth factor (EGFR) of both normal and tumor cells and competitively inhibit the binding of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and other endogenous ligands of the EGFR to them. In in vitro and in vivo studies, it was shown that cetuximab, by binding to EGFR, blocks the phosphorylation and activation of receptor-associated kinases, which leads to an inhibition of the proliferation and induction of apoptosis of human tumor cells expressing EGFR.

Dosage and Administration
Always follow your doctor`s instructions when using Erbitux (Cetuximab) to get the safest and most effective results from treatment. Erbitux (Cetuximab) uses only under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of anti-neoplastic drugs. During infusion and for at least 1 hour after completion, patients should be under close medical supervision with access to resuscitation equipment. Recommended scheme of therapy. Erbitux (Cetuximab) is administered once a week. The initial dose is 400 mg cetuximab per 1 m2 of body surface area. Subsequently, doses of 250 mg cetuximab/m2 of body surface area are administered weekly.

Side effects
The use of Erbitux (Cetuximab) may cause side effects in some patients including:

• nausea, vomiting
• headache
• dizziness
• dyspnea
• conjunctivitis
• acne-like rash and / or pruritus
• dry skin, peeling
• hypertrichosis
• hypomagnesemia
• hypocalcemia

Precautions
Using during pregnancy and lactation In pregnancy, it is possible if the expected effect of therapy outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. At the time of treatment should stop breastfeeding.