Ramucirumab
About
Ramucirumab is an anti-cancer medicine used alone or in combination with other combination medicines for the treatment of metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular cancer, colorectal cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer is a disease where the cells grow abnormally and divide uncontrollably. It can also be used when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Ramucirumab contains Ramucirumab as an active ingredient, which belongs to the class of monoclonal antibodies. It works by inhibiting the abnormal growth of cancer cells and, finally, causes the initiation of programmed cell death.
Ramucirumab may cause some side effects, such as abdominal pain, dry mouth, mouth sores, increased blood pressure, diarrhoea, fatigue, nausea, headache, nose bleeds, vomiting, tiredness, and injection site reactions. If the side effects persist or bother you, please consult your doctor. Ramucirumab will be administered by a doctor experienced in the administration of cancer medicine. Do not self-administer.
Avoid taking it and inform your doctor if you are allergic to Ramucirumab or its components. Inform your doctor if you have any cardiovascular conditions, heart attack, stroke, increased blood pressure, any planned surgery, lung problems, or liver/kidney disease, as it can cause adverse effects. Ramucirumab is known to cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Hence, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor beforehand.
Uses of Ramucirumab
Medicinal Benefits
Ramucirumab contains Trastuzumab, which is used for treating patients with different types of cancer. This medicine works by inhibiting the excess production of a human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, which is responsible for the growth and spread of cancer cells. This causes inhibition of the cancer cell growth and, finally, initiation of programmed cell death.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ramucirumab
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Nose bleeds
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Injection site reactions
- Pain at the site of injection
- Increased blood pressure
- Dry mouth
- Mouth sores
- Fever
- Back pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Ramucirumab should be avoided if you are allergic to it or any other components of this medicine. Before taking Ramucirumab, inform your doctor if you have any history of cardiovascular conditions, heart attack, stroke, increased blood pressure, any planned surgery, lung problems, or liver or kidney disease, as it can cause adverse effects. Ramucirumab may cause Ramucirumab may cause reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, arterial thromboembolic events, hypertension, an increased risk of hemorrhage, infusion-related reactions, gastrointestinal perforation, and clinical deterioration in patients with cirrhosis during the treatment. Hence, careful observation should be performed for any reactions in the patient. Ramucirumab may cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, inform your doctor beforehand. Breastfeeding should be discontinued in nursing mothers during the treatment. Ramucirumab is not recommended for use in children as the safety and efficacy are not established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Ramucirumab may interact with monoclonal antibodies (etanercept, golimumab, infliximab, natalizumab, abciximab), antiviral drugs (indinavir, efavirenz, atazanavir), anticoagulants (apixaban, dicumarol), etc.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interaction found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have cardiac problems, lung disease, liver/kidney disease or allergic reactions.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unknown whether Ramucirumab interacts with alcohol. Consult your doctor for more information.
Pregnancy
unsafeRamucirumab is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may cause embryo-fetal toxicity and harm your foetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Ramucirumab. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving Ramucirumab for at least three months from the last dose of Ramucirumab. Using effective birth control methods while on treatment is suggested.
Breast Feeding
unsafeRamucirumab should not be taken if you are breastfeeding as it passes into breast milk and may harm your infant. Avoid nursing your child while on treatment with this medicine and for at least two months from the last dose of medicine.
Driving
not applicableRamucirumab will be administered to hospitalized patients. Driving is not recommended.
Liver
safe if prescribedIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before receiving Ramucirumab. Based on population PK analysis, no dose adjustment is advised for patients with mild liver impairment. Patients with Child-Pugh B or C cirrhosis who received single-agent Ramucirumab reported clinical deterioration.
Kidney
safe if prescribedHence, if you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor. Based on population PK analysis, no dose adjustment is advised for patients with kidney impairment.
Children
unsafeRamucirumab is not recommended for use in children as the safety and efficacy are not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Meditation and yoga have been proven very effective in helping cancer patients maintain a healthy attitude and body.
- Eat more lean meats, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods to give you more energy.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, as dehydration is often seen in cancers.
- Taking a stroll in the garden or spending 30 minutes of your time doing some light physical activity can be very useful. However, do not over-exert yourself if you feel too tired.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Special Advise
- Avoid intercourse while on treatment with Ramucirumab.
- Regular, complete blood count monitoring is advised during the treatment.
- Liver function tests (LFT) and kidney function tests (RFT) should be performed before starting the treatment and every 4 to 6 weeks during the treatment.
- Regular ECG, blood pressure, and electrolytes should be monitored while taking the medicine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Stomach Cancer (Gastric adenocarcinoma) is a type of cancer that develops from the stomach lining. When the cancer cells spread to other organs of the body, it is called metastatic. This condition can occur mainly due to smoking, a highly processed or salty diet, and severe bacterial infection of H. pylori. Symptoms of stomach cancer include feeling bloated after eating, feeling full after eating small amounts of food, nausea, heartburn or indigestion.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): It is the most common form of lung cancer, which occurs when cells that form the lining of the lung start growing uncontrollably. It is mostly seen in persons who smoke. Symptoms may include chest pain, weight loss, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing.
Hepatocellular carcinoma: It occurs when the cancer/ malignant cells grow out of control in the liver. This infects the liver, destroys the liver cells and affects the ability of the liver to work properly. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and pale bowel motions.
Colorectal cancer: Also known as colon cancer (growth of cancer cells in the colon) or rectal cancer (cancer cells grow in the rectum area), is a condition in which the cancerous or malignant cells grow out of control in the colon or rectum. Symptoms may include diarrhoea, constipation, bloody stools, change in bowel habits, abdominal discomfort, etc.
FAQs
Ramucirumab contains Ramucirumab, which works by inhibiting the abnormal growth of cancer cells and, finally, causes the initiation of programmed cell death.
Inform your doctor whether you have received any other cancer treatment. Ramucirumab may cause reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, arterial thromboembolic events, hypertension, infusion-related reactions, gastrointestinal perforation, and embryo-fetal toxicity during the treatment. Hence, inform your oncologist if you have any cardiovascular conditions, liver/kidney disease, lung problems, are pregnant, are planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding before receiving Ramucirumab.
