Dacomitinib

Generic name: dacomitinib [ DAK-oh-MI-ti-nib ]
Brand name: Vizimpro
Dosage form: oral tablet (15 mg; 30 mg; 45 mg)
Drug classes: EGFR inhibitors, HER2 inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jun 1, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is dacomitinib?

Dacomitinib is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Dacomitinib is given only if your tumor has a specific genetic marker (an abnormal "EGFR" gene).

Dacomitinib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Dacomitinib side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Dacomitinib may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• new or worsening breathing problems (chest pain, wheezing, cough, feeling short of breath);

• fever;

• severe or ongoing diarrhea;

• swelling, redness, or infection under or around your fingernails or toenails; or

• a severe skin reaction--dry skin, redness, rash, acne, itching, peeling or blistering.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common side effects of dacomitinib may include:

• diarrhea, loss of appetite;

• weight loss;

• rash, itching, dry skin;

• eye redness, dryness, or itching;

• hair loss;

• problems with your nails;

• mouth sores, mouth pain; or

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

Opdivo, methotrexate, Keytruda, pembrolizumab, Avastin, cisplatin, Tagrisso

Warnings

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• frequent diarrhea; or

• breathing problems (other than lung cancer).

May harm an unborn baby. You may need a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Use birth control while using dacomitinib and for at least 17 days after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed while using dacomitinib, and for at least 17 days after your last dose.

How should I take dacomitinib?

Your doctor will make sure you have the correct tumor type to be treated with dacomitinib.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food.

Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking dacomitinib.

If you vomit shortly after taking dacomitinib, do not take another dose. Wait until your next scheduled dose time to take the medicine again.

Dacomitinib can cause severe diarrhea, which can be life-threatening if it leads to dehydration or infection.

If you have diarrhea while taking dacomitinib: Call your doctor right away. You may need to start taking anti-diarrhea medicine such as loperamide (Imodium) to quickly treat diarrhea.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Dacomitinib dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer:

45 mg orally once a day until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity

Use: For the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations as detected by an FDA-approved test

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking dacomitinib?

Dacomitinib can cause skin reactions. Use a skin moisturizer and avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

What other drugs will affect dacomitinib?

Take your dacomitinib dose 6 hours before or 10 hours after taking any of the following:

• an antacid; or

• a stomach acid reducer (such as Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect dacomitinib, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Frequently asked questions

• What type of lung cancer is Vizimpro used to treat?

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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

Medical Disclaimer

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