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Medications for Head and Neck Cancer

Other names: Oral Cancer

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells. Head and neck cancers include those of the larynx (the voice box); the tongue; both the soft and hard palates; and tumors of the salivary glands, including the parotid gland.

Drugs used to treat Head and Neck Cancer

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Erbitux 4.0 2 reviews for Erbitux to treat Head and Neck Cancer
Rx C N
Generic name:
cetuximab systemic
Drug class:
EGFR inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Keytruda 5.7 11 reviews for Keytruda to treat Head and Neck Cancer
Rx D N
Generic name:
pembrolizumab systemic
Drug class:
anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (immune checkpoint inhibitors)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
pembrolizumab 6.0 12 reviews for pembrolizumab to treat Head and Neck Cancer
Rx D N
Generic name:
pembrolizumab systemic
Brand name:
Keytruda
Drug class:
anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (immune checkpoint inhibitors)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
cetuximab 5.7 3 reviews for cetuximab to treat Head and Neck Cancer
Rx C N
Generic name:
cetuximab systemic
Brand name:
Erbitux
Drug class:
EGFR inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
nivolumab 5.2 6 reviews for nivolumab to treat Head and Neck Cancer
Rx N
Generic name:
nivolumab systemic
Brand name:
Opdivo
Drug class:
anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (immune checkpoint inhibitors)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Taxotere Off-label Rate Add review
Rx D N
Generic name:
docetaxel systemic
Drug class:
mitotic inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Opdivo 4.3 5 reviews for Opdivo to treat Head and Neck Cancer
Rx N
Generic name:
nivolumab systemic
Drug class:
anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (immune checkpoint inhibitors)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
docetaxel Off-label Rate Add review
Rx D N
Generic name:
docetaxel systemic
Brand name:
Taxotere
Drug class:
mitotic inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
methotrexate Rate Add review
Rx X N X
Generic name:
methotrexate systemic
Brand name:
Trexall
Drug class:
antimetabolites, antirheumatics, antipsoriatics, other immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Trexall Rate Add review
Rx X N X
Generic name:
methotrexate systemic
Drug class:
antimetabolites, antirheumatics, antipsoriatics, other immunosuppressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

Topics under Head and Neck Cancer

Learn more about Head and Neck Cancer

Symptoms and treatments

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

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