SIDE EFFECTS OF VECTIBIX

i have just had my first treament of vectibix and cpt11 combo and i'm dealing with this horriable acne like rash on my face,neck,back i am the 1st patient to be on vectibix in chattanooga .my oncologist has told me to keep the rash moisturized but that is not enough.anyone out there been on vectibix?i need some releif so i will be able to tollerate this rash to stay on treatment. 

 

 

On 5/7/2007 Rhonda0808 wrote:

I HAVE JUST HAD MY FIRST TREAMENT OF VECTIBIX AND CPT11 COMBO AND I'M DEALING WITH THIS HORRIABLE ACNE LIKE RASH ON MY FACE,NECK,BACK I AM THE 1ST PATIENT TO BE ON VECTIBIX IN CHATTANOOGA .MY ONCOLOGIST HAS TOLD ME TO KEEP THE RASH MOISTURIZED BUT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.ANYONE OUT THERE BEEN ON VECTIBIX?I NEED SOME RELEIF SO I WILL BE ABLE TO TOLLERATE THIS RASH TO STAY ON TREATMENT. 

 

skin rash is a side effect of all EGFR inhibitors, including Vectibix.  If its just dry skin then a moisturizer should help.  If it looks more like acne where it could be infected then topical or oral antibiotics may be needed.  Let your onc know the moisturizer isnt working.

 

By the way, some say the rash is a sign the drug is working, so it could be good!  Look for some other posts on this site where people talk about their experience.  There was one from just a couple days ago.

I have been perscribed Doxycyclene for the EGFR Erbitux. It worked in 5 days and completely cleared up the acne. I still take it occasionaly if there is a rash flare up.The moisturizers are essential. Moisturize your hands too so your don't get finger nail cracks.

This treatment was perscribed by dermatoloists that specialize in skin affects from cancer treatment at Northwest Memorial Hospital in Chicago

Good luck

 

On 5/7/2007 Chicagomike wrote:

I have been perscribed Doxycyclene for the EGFR Erbitux. It worked in 5 days and completely cleared up the acne. I still take it occasionaly if there is a rash flare up.The moisturizers are essential. Moisturize your hands too so your don't get finger nail cracks.

This treatment was perscribed by dermatoloists that specialize in skin affects from cancer treatment at Northwest Memorial Hospital in Chicago

Good luck

Has this treatment also worked for the Vectibix rash? 

 

On 5/7/2007 Rhonda0808 wrote:

i have just had my first treament of vectibix and cpt11 combo and i'm dealing with this horriable acne like rash on my face,neck,back i am the 1st patient to be on vectibix in chattanooga .my oncologist has told me to keep the rash moisturized but that is not enough.anyone out there been on vectibix?i need some releif so i will be able to tollerate this rash to stay on treatment. 

 

I also had my first treatment of Vectibix the same day as you.  I have had 2 treatments so far and have a horrible rash and skin that is so dry it is like sand paper.  I went to a dermatologist today and have 2 new prescriptions that I pick up tomorrow.  I am sorry that I don't recall the names right now but I will post them when I pick them up.  In addition, you need to use a mild cleanser on your face (I have one from the dermatologist) - over the counter ones are cetaphil and aveeno for sensitive/dry skin.  Use a bath oil when you get out of the shower or bath and pat dry.  I will let you know soon what Rxs I have.

Patricia

 

On 5/7/2007 Chicagomike wrote:

I have been perscribed Doxycyclene for the EGFR Erbitux. It worked in 5 days and completely cleared up the acne. I still take it occasionaly if there is a rash flare up.The moisturizers are essential. Moisturize your hands too so your don't get finger nail cracks.

This treatment was perscribed by dermatoloists that specialize in skin affects from cancer treatment at Northwest Memorial Hospital in Chicago

Good luck

 

Mike, my mom is also at Northwesten Memorial in Chicago and she is about to begin treatment on Vectibix. Her doctor recommended that she she a dermatologist that specializes in treating patients with reactions to this drug. How long have you been on taking this chemo? What is your regime? Has the dermatologist been able to control your acne/rash? What other treatments have you taken, my mom has been on the folfox with oxi and avastin, cpt 11 and now she will begin Vectibix and CPT11. The colon cancer is in her lungs, colon and adrenal gland. Thanks for your help.  Jaime

I also started vectibix two weeks ago and broke out in that nearly intolerable rash. Actually, no, it IS intolerable. My doctor at Tower Oncology here in LA has prescribed a cortisone medication to relieve the swelling (today) although I have just emailed him about the drug referred from Chicago. I have also heard that the severity of the breakout often relates to how effective the drug is at battling the cancer. In that case, mine should be gone by tomorrow. LOL. Please keep sharing. As this is a new drug I am sure there are a lot of people trying different strategies to relieve the rash. And the rash can be minimized, it will be a much more attractive option. STEPHEN

I have just started my 1st treatment of vectibix and prior to my treatment my doctor sent me to a dermatologist who specialized in cancer patients and Dr. LaCouture from Northwestern Hospital in Chicago put me on Doryx antibiotics 100mg 1 tablet twice daily and Aclometasone Dipropionate 0.05% applied to face and chest 2x daily.  He has also instructed me to use 60 sun block and stay ot of the sun at all costs. I just did a follow up after my first treatment and i am contining this regime for another month.  So far i have been able to avoid the rash.  I wish you luck. 

 

On 5/7/2007 Rhonda0808 wrote:

i have just had my first treament of vectibix and cpt11 combo and i'm dealing with this horriable acne like rash on my face,neck,back i am the 1st patient to be on vectibix in chattanooga .my oncologist has told me to keep the rash moisturized but that is not enough.anyone out there been on vectibix?i need some releif so i will be able to tollerate this rash to stay on treatment. 

 

hi rhonda, my husband on this too , the rashes as they call it are bad for him too.he also has a stoma, which makes it twice as bad. trying to keep the rash from under the colos bag, it doesnt want to stick to skin, his bags i mean.he too takes docucylene for infections. also uses ceptraphril soap, nutragena soap, and aveeno, and selsen blue to wash hair with.  not fun, his dr. has reduced it 20% too.  hes been on it for about 6 mths now, vomiting, diarreah, rash.i feel so bad for him. hes been taking chemo for almost 10 yrs. now. never been off. i am taking him monday, to dr. again to see if they will take hom off. his cea keeps going up with it. hope your luck better.