General Recommendations
For Pruritus, the underlying cause of the itch (ie Acneiform rash, Xerosis or eczema) should be treated. In addition, symptomatic treatment such as menthol cream or antihistamines may be used.1
Treatment
In addition to treating the underlying condition, add the following agents for:
- Grade 1: topical moisturising/cooling cream containing menthol.
- Grade 2: oral antihistamines.
- Grade 3: sedative antihistamines.
Products
- Menthol 0.5% in cetomacrogol cream.
- Antihistamines (eg loratadine, cetirizine).
- Sedative antihistamines (eg hydroxyzine).
EGFRI Treatment
Continue with the selected EGFRI-treatment regimen if adverse events are graded 1 or 2; withhold EGFRI treatment in cases of grade 3 toxicity; continue with the selected EGFRI-treatment regimen only if toxicity mitigates to grade ≤2. Continue with/withold the selected EGFRI-treatment regimen, as recommended in the current and relevant SmPC and according to the patient’s condition. 2,3,4,5,6
References
1Segaert S et al. Eur J Cancer 2009; 45(Suppl 1): 295-308.
2European Medicine Agency. Tarceva® (erlotinib) Summary of Product Characteristics 2009.
3European Medicine Agency. Iressa® (gefitinib) Summary of Product Characteristics 2009.
4European Medicine Agency. Erbitux® (cetuximab) Summary of Product Characteristics 2009.
5European Medicine Agency. Vectibix® (panitumumab) Summary of Product Characteristics 2009.
6Tyverb® (lapatinib) Summary of Product Characteristics 2010.