Cetuximab (Intravenous)

Generic name: cetuximab [ se-TUX-i-mab ]
Brand name: Erbitux
Drug class: EGFR inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 2, 2023.

Uses for cetuximab

Cetuximab injection is used together with radiation treatment for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), or with a platinum-based cancer medicine with fluorouracil to treat SCCHN that has come back (recurrent) or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). Cetuximab injection is also used alone in patients with recurrent or metastatic SCCHN who have received other medicines that did not work well.

Cetuximab injection is used together with other medicines (eg, irinotecan, fluorouracil, leucovorin) to treat K-Ras wild-type, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing, metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC, cancer of the colon and rectum that has spread). Your doctor will test for the presence of this gene mutation. Cetuximab injection is also used alone to treat patients with mCRC who have received other medicines (eg, irinotecan, oxaliplatin) that did not work well.

Cetuximab injection is also used together with encorafenib to treat metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC, cancer of the colon and rectum that has spread) and have the BRAF V600E mutations. Your doctor will use a special test to look for these mutations.

Cetuximab interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are then destroyed by the body. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by cetuximab, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, such as a skin rash, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects do not occur until months or years after the medicine is used.

This medicine should only be given by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using cetuximab

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of cetuximab injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cetuximab injection in the elderly.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergy to red meat or tick bites—Use with caution. May increased risk of an allergic reaction to reoccur.

• Heart or blood vessel disease (eg, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease)
• Heart rhythm problems (eg, arrythmia), history of—May increase your risk for more side effects.

• Hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood) or
• Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or
• Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood) or
• Lung or breathing problems—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Proper use of cetuximab

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins. Cetuximab needs to be given slowly, so the needle will have remain in place for at least an hour. The first dose of this medicine could take at least 2 hours to give.

You may also receive medicines (eg, allergy medicine) to help prevent unwanted effects to the injection.

This medicine sometimes causes nausea and vomiting. However, it is very important that you continue to receive this medicine, even if you begin to feel ill. Ask your doctor for ways to lessen these effects.

Precautions while using cetuximab

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment with this medicine and for 2 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Cetuximab may cause a serious side effect called an infusion reaction. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have a fever, chills, trouble with breathing, lightheadedness, fainting, or chest pain within a few hours after you receive it.

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have a cough, difficulty with breathing, or other breathing problems while being treated with this medicine. These may be symptoms of a serious lung problem.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, dry skin, grooves or lines in the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills while you are receiving this medicine.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen or sun-blocking lotion when you are outdoors. Wear protective clothing and hats. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.

If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine. Some women using this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

Side Effects of cetuximab

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Blemishes on the skin or pimples
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• body aches or pain
• chills
• congestion
• cough
• deep cracks, grooves, or lines in the skin
• difficult or labored breathing
• dizziness
• fever
• headache
• hoarseness
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• rapid weight gain
• runny nose
• severe dry skin
• skin rash
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• tightness in the chest
• tingling of the hands or feet
• trouble with breathing on exertion
• trouble with swallowing
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight gain or loss
• voice changes
• vomiting

Less common

• Anxiety
• black, tarry stools
• chest pain
• confusion
• decreased urination
• dry mouth
• fainting
• fast heartbeat
• increase in heart rate
• lightheadedness
• rapid, shallow breathing
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• sunken eyes
• thirst
• wrinkled skin

Incidence not known

• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• cracked lips
• diarrhea
• difficulty in swallowing
• itching
• joint or muscle pain
• red, irritated eyes
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• stiff neck or back

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Belching
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• difficulty having a bowel movement
• discharge from the eye
• discoloration of the fingernails or toenails
• discouragement
• excessive tearing
• feeling sad or empty
• hair loss or thinning of the hair
• heartburn
• indigestion
• irritability
• lack or loss of appetite
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of interest or pleasure
• pain
• redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• sleeplessness
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• swelling or inflammation of the mouth
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Erbitux

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Monoclonal Antibody

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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