Vectibix

Generic Name: panitumumab (pan i TUE moo mab)

Brand Names: Vectibix

What is panitumumab?

Panitumumab is a cancer medication. It interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in your body.

Panitumumab is used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed after treatment with other chemotherapy.

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

What is the most important information I should know about panitumumab?

Before receiving this medication, tell your doctor if you have any allergies or breathing problems. You may not be able to receive panitumumab, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Panitumumab may cause severe skin problems such as acne, itching, redness, skin rash, dryness, peeling, cracking, or oozing, and swelling or infection around your fingernails or toenails. This medication can also cause redness or irritation of your eyes or eyelids. More severe forms of skin problems can lead to widespread infection and possibly death. Seek emergency medical attention at the first sign of any skin rash.

Some people receiving a panitumumab injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, itchy, short of breath, or if you have a fever or chills during the injection.

The side effects of panitumumab may not appear when you first start using the medication. Severe skin or eye reactions may occur up to 2 weeks after the start of your treatment. These effects may not clear up for weeks or even months after you stop receiving panitumumab.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Panitumumab can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

This medication may affect a woman's fertility (ability to have children). You may also have irregular menstrual periods while receiving panitumumab.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving panitumumab?

This medication may cause severe skin problems such as acne, itching, redness, skin rash, dryness, peeling, cracking, or oozing, and swelling or infection around your fingernails or toenails. More severe forms of skin problems can lead to widespread infection and possibly death. Seek emergency medical attention at the first sign of any skin rash. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to panitumumab.

Before receiving this medication, tell your doctor if you have any allergies or breathing problems. You may not be able to receive panitumumab, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether panitumumab passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

This medication may affect a woman's fertility (ability to have children). You may also have irregular menstrual periods while receiving panitumumab.

How is panitumumab given?

Panitumumab is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 90 minutes to complete.

Before you receive this medication, you may need to undergo a biopsy to make sure panitumumab is the right medication to treat your cancer.

Panitumumab is usually given once every 2 weeks. Follow your doctor's instructions.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss an appointment for your panitumumab injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a panitumumab overdose are unknown.

What should I avoid while taking panitumumab?

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Panitumumab can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

Panitumumab side effects

Some people receiving a panitumumab injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, itchy, short of breath, or if you have a fever or chills during the injection.

Some of the side effects of panitumumab may not appear when you first start using the medication. Severe skin or eye reactions may occur up to 2 weeks after the start of your treatment. These effects may not clear up for weeks or even months after you stop receiving panitumumab.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

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  fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

  
  


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  swelling of your hands or ankles;

  
  


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  acne, dryness, peeling, cracking, bleeding, oozing, pus, or any other sign of skin infection;

  
  


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  cough or wheezing, running out of breath easily;

  
  


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  white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

  
  


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  drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion, muscle stiffness, fast or uneven heart rate, chest pain;

  
  


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  redness, swelling, or irritation of your eyes or eyelids; or

  
  


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  swelling or infection around your fingernails or toenails.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;

  
  


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  diarrhea or constipation; or

  
  


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  tired feeling.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect panitumumab?

There may be other drugs that can interact with panitumumab. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Vectibix resources

• Vectibix Side Effects (in more detail)
• Vectibix Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Vectibix Drug Interactions
• Vectibix Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Vectibix - Add your own review/rating

• Vectibix Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Vectibix Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Vectibix Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Vectibix Consumer Overview


• Vectibix MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Panitumumab Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Vectibix with other medications

• Colorectal Cancer

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor can provide more information about panitumumab.

See also: Vectibix side effects (in more detail)