Generic
Panitumumab
(PAN-ih-TOO-myoo-mab)
Brands
Vectibix®
Additional Resources
Panitumumab is most commonly used for colon and rectal cancers but may be used for other diagnoses. Panitumumab may given alone or in combination with other medications.
Our Medication Sheet
Page 1 INTRAVENOUS CANCER TREATMENT EDUCATION PANITUMUMAB Name of the regimen and cancer drugs • Panitumumab (PAN ih TOO myoo mab): Vectibix® Common uses Panitumumab is most commonly used for colon and rectal cancers but may be used for other diagnoses. Panitumumab may given alone or in combination with other medications. Treatment schedule Your treatment will be given into your vein through an intravenous (IV) line. This may be into a short, flexible temporary catheter in your arm, or through a central venous catheter. A central venous catheter, or central line is a long, flexible IV tube that empties into a very large vein next to the heart. Talk with your care team to see which will be best for you and your treatment. Each panitumumab treatment is repeated every 14 days. This is known as one cycle. Your treatment may be given for a set number of cycles, or it will keep going until the drug stops working or you have side effects which stop you from continuing treatment. o Panitumumab IV is given on Day 1. Drug DAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 14 Cycle 2 Day 1 Panitumumab Possible drug interactions o Panitumumab may interact with other drugs you are taking. Please inform your care providers of all prescription medicine, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products that you take. o Talk with your care provider or pharmacist before taking new medications, supplements, or receiving any vaccines. PANITUMUMAB Page 2 INTRAVENOUS CANCER TREATMENT EDUCATION Common Side Effects Common side effects that have been known to happen in patients receiving panitumumab are listed in the left side of this table. In some instances, the side effects may be reported less often but are still important to discuss. This table does not list all the known side effects for this therapy, only the ones that are experienced most often. Not every patient experiences every known side effect of a drug; even if you are taking the same drug as another patient, you may experience different side effects. Options to help manage any side effects that do occur are included on the right side of this table. These should be discussed with your care provider. If you experience any side effect you cannot manage or that is not listed here, contact your care provider. Possible Side Effect Management Rash or itchy skin • Keep your skin moisturized with creams and moisturizing lotions to decrease the risk of rash or itchiness and wear loose fitting clothing. • Avoid using perfumes and cologne as these products may increase rash symptoms. • Avoid being in the heat for long periods of time. • Your provider may recommend an over-the-counter antihistamine or a topical cream. • Sunlight can make symptoms worse. • Avoid sun exposure as much as possible to decrease the risk of sunburn. The highest exposure to UV (ultra-violet) radiation occurs between the hours of 10am and 4pm. • Wear long-sleeved clothing, with UV protection if possible. • Wear broad-brimmed hats. • Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (UVA/UVB) with at least SPF 30 as often as directed on the bottle. • Use lip balm with at least SPF 30. • Avoid tanning beds. If your rash or itching continues to worsen, contact your care team. Acne-like rash • A rash that looks like acne may happen on your face, chest, and upper back while taking this medication • Your doctor may prescribe medication to help prevent or manage the rash • If you do get a rash, keep the area around the rash clean and dry • Check with your care team before using anything to treat it • Do not use over-the-counter acne treatments such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid and soaps containing alcohol • Wash with a mild, moisturizing soap; avoid long, hot baths or showers • After washing, pat skin dry; avoid vigorous rubbing • Oatmeal baths and unscented moisturizers may help with itching • Sunlight can make symptoms worse • Avoid sun exposure as much as possible to decrease the risk of sunburn. The highest exposure to UV (ultra-violet) radiation occurs between the hours of 10am and 4pm. • Wear long-sleeved clothing, with UV protection if possible • Wear broad-brimmed hats Continued on the next page PANITUMUMAB Page 3 INTRAVENOUS CANCER TREATMENT EDUCATION Possible Side Effect Management Acne-like rash (continued) • Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (UVA/UVB) with at least SPF 30 as often as directed on the bottle • Use lip balm with at least SPF 30 • Avoid tanning beds Fatigue • You may be more tired than usual or have less energy • Stay as active as possible, but know it is okay to rest as needed • Try to do some type of moderate activity every day • Conserve your energy. Plan your activities and do them at a time of day when you feel a bit more energetic • Follow a healthy diet and stay hydrated • Accept help from family and friends • Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as meditation, journaling, yoga, and guided imagery • Develop good sleeping habits, limit napping during the day to help you sleep better at night • Avoid operating heavy machinery if you feel too tired Contact your care team if you experience extreme fatigue that prevents you from doing your normal daily activities. Nail changes • Nails on fingers and toes may look swollen and reddened and may grow ridges • Skin/Nail changes: report any rashes, dryness or scaling to care provider, use mild soaps and rinse well, avoid hot water, use alcohol free oil-based moisturizers, report any darkening or peeling skin or any changes to the nail • Usually this change starts at the cuticle and may affect the skin around the nail • Wear gloves when cleaning or doing dishes, or working in the garden • Keep nails trimmed and hands clean • Biting, chewing, or picking at your nails can increase the risk of getting an infection • Talk to your care team if you notice any changes in your nails Changes in electrolytes and other laboratory values • Low magnesium levels • Changes in some lab values may occur and will be monitored by a simple blood test. • You may not feel any symptoms if the changes are mild and they usually are not a sign of a serious problem • More severe changes may occur which can be a sign of a serious problem • Notify your care team if you have any of the following: • Shortness of breath • Chest discomfort • Weakness or fatigue • New aches and pains • Headaches • Dizziness • Swelling of your legs or feet • Red or brown colored urine Continued on the next page PANITUMUMAB Page 4 INTRAVENOUS CANCER TREATMENT EDUCATION Possible Side Effect Management Diarrhea (loose and/ or urgent bowel movements) Monitor how many bowel movements you have each day. • Drink 8-10 (8-ounce) glasses of water or fluid each day unless your care team has asked you to limit your fluid intake. • Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day rather than a few large meals. • Eat bland, low-fiber foods (such as bananas, applesauce, potatoes, chicken, rice, and toast). • Avoid high fiber foods, such as raw vegetables and fruits and whole grains. • Avoid foods that cause gas, such as broccoli and beans. • Avoid foods with lactose, such as yogurt and milk. • Avoid spicy, fried, and greasy foods. Contact your care team if: • The number of bowel movements you have in a day increases by 4 or more. • You feel dizzy or lightheaded. Your care team may recommend an over-the-counter medication or prescribe something to help manage your symptoms. Rare but serious side effects o Panitumumab may result in toxicity to the skin. Please notify your healthcare provider if you have any signs of acne-like rashes (skin that is scaly, dry, cracking, or inflamed), skin infections, and or eye infections/loss of vision. o Panitumumab can rarely cause an infusion reaction. During your treatment, let the nurse know right away if any of these symptoms happen: chills or shaking, dizziness, fever, itchiness or rash, flushing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, throat irritation, cough, congestion, sudden back pain, or feeling faint. o Panitumumab may be harmful to your kidneys. Speak to your care team to know when you need to have laboratory tests done to monitor your kidneys. o This product may result in serious and fatal lung toxicity. When taking panitumumab, if you start to experience shortness of breath, fatigue, breathlessness, or discomfort/worsening of symptoms while lying on your back, please immediately contact your prescriber. o While taking panitumumab your skin may be more sensitive to the sun. Avoid being out in the sun when possible and cover your skin if you are out in the sun. o Panitumumab may be harmful to your eyes. Be sure to inform your care team of any issue you have with your vision or pain in your eyes. Your provider may stop treatment with panitumumab if your eyes are affected. o Panitumumab may deplete certain electrolytes. Speak to your care team to know when you need to have laboratory tests done to monitor you electrolyte levels. If you experience ANY new, worsening, or uncontrolled side effects, call your care team immediately. PANITUMUMAB Page 5 INTRAVENOUS CANCER TREATMENT EDUCATION Handling body fluids and waste Some of the drugs you receive may be present in urine, stool, sweat, or vomit for many days after treatment. Many cancer drugs are toxic, your bodily waste may also be toxic and can be dangerous to come into contact with. Once you have started panitumumab, follow the instructions below for at least two days after your treatment. This is to keep you, your loved ones, and the environment as safe as possible. o Pregnant women should avoid touching anything that may be soiled with body fluids from the patient. o Toilet and septic systems • You may use the same toilet, septic tank, and/or sewer that you usually use. If you have a low-flow toilet, close the lid and flush twice to ensure that all waste has been discarded. o If the toilet or toilet seat becomes soiled with urine, stool, or vomit, clean the surface after every use before other people use the toliet. o Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet for at least 20 seconds. o If you need a bedpan, be sure your caregiver knows to wear gloves to assist with cleanup and to wash the bedpan with soap and water every day. o If you do not have good control of bladder or bowels, use a disposable pad with a plastic back, a diaper, or a sheet to absorb body waste. o Wash any skin that has been exposed to body waste with soap and water. o Linens or clothing that are soiled with body fluids or body waste should be washed separately from other linens and clothing. If you do not have a washer, place the soiled linens in a plastic bag until they can be washed. o Wash hands with soap and water after touching linens or clothing that may be soiled with body fluids. Intimacy, sexual activity, contraception, and fertility This treatment may cause changes that can affect intimacy and sexuality, including desire and body image. Maintaining physical closeness and/or intimacy with loved ones can be continued during treatment. Holding hands, hugging, and kissing can be done safely. It is recommended that you talk to your care team about any restrictions or questions you may have. Some treatments can influence the ability to have children, also known as fertility. If you’re interested in preserving fertility, talk to your care team before treatment. Ask your healthcare provider to determine when it is safe to become pregnant after your treatment. Patients of reproductive ability should not become pregnant or get their partners pregnant while receiving panitumumab. Some of the drugs you receive may be present in semen and vaginal secretion for many days after treatment. You should use barrier devices, such as condoms, during sexual activity to limit exposure to body fluids. o Talk to your care team about birth control. Not all options may be right for your treatment or cancer. Effective contraception could include one or more of the following: barrier methods (e.g. condoms), hormone methods (e.g. birth control pills), or surgery. o Tell your care team if you become pregnant or plan to breastfeed. PANITUMUMAB Page 6 INTRAVENOUS CANCER TREATMENT EDUCATION Additional resources Product website: https://www.vectibix.com/ Prescribing information link: https://www.pi.amgen.com/-/media/Project/Amgen/Repository/pi-amgen-com/ vectibix/vectibix_pi.pdf Additional instructions Updated – January 8, 2023 Important notice: The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA), National Community Oncology Dispensing Association, Inc. (NCODA), and Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) have collaborated in gathering information for and developing this patient education guide. This guide represents a brief summary of the therapy derived from information provided by the drug manufacturer and other resources. This guide does not cover all existing information related to the possible uses, directions, doses, precautions, warnings, interactions, adverse effects, or risks associated with this therapy and should not substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Provision of this guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of this therapy by ACCC, HOPA, NCODA, or ONS, who assume no liability for and cannot ensure the accuracy of the information presented. The collaborators are not making any representations with respect to the medications whatsoever, and any and all decisions, with respect to such medications, are at the sole risk of the individual receiving therapy. All decisions related to receiving this therapy should be made with the guidance and under the direction of a qualified healthcare professional. Permission: Intravenous Cancer Treatment Education (IVE) sheets are provided as a free educational resource for patients with cancer in need of concise, easy-to-understand information about intravenous cancer therapy. Healthcare providers are permitted to copy and distribute the sheets to patients as well as direct patients to the OCE website for information. However, commercial reproduction or reuse, as well as rebranding or reposting of any type, are strictly prohibited without permission of the copyright holder. Please email permission requests and licensing inquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Copyright © 2021 by NCODA. All rights reserved.