Treatment of advanced colorectal cancer in combination w/ 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) & folinic acid in patient w/o prior chemotherapy for advanced disease or as single agent in patient who failed to respond to an established 5-FU-containing treatment regimen. In combination w/ cetuximab for treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer after failure of irinotecan-containing cytotoxic therapy. In combination w/ 5-FU, folinic acid & bevacizumab for 1st-line treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum.
Dosage/Direction for Use
AdultMonotherapyPreviously treated patient 350 mg/m2 IV infusion over 30-90 min every 3 wk. Combination therapyPreviously untreated patient 180 mg/m2 IV infusion over 30-90 min every 2 wk, followed by infusion w/ folinic acid & 5-FU.
Contraindications
Chronic inflammatory bowel disease &/or bowel obstruction. Severe bone marrow failure. Concomitant use w/ St. John's wort. Bilirubin level >3 times ULN. Pregnancy & lactation. Childn.
Special Precautions
Patients w/ increased risk of diarrhoea eg, those w/ previous abdominal/pelvic radiotherapy. Monitor CBC wkly. Resp disorders. Fructose intolerance. Renal or hepatic impairment. Elderly. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery.
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