erbitux

My Husband is starting on erbitux next week and was wondering of the side effects - read a bit that have been using it and have seen results.  I understand we want the rash but should we be taking preventative measures during the first treatment - how soon does rash appear - what should be used in relation with the rash?  Any assistance is appreciated. K

Make sure he was checked for the kras gene, Now  with the rash my husband got it mild and there is medicine for the rash just talk to the dr. good luck.

michelle

When my Dad first started erbitux, they said not to first prevent it, because if you get it, it is a sign it is working... once his rash started my Dad was fine with just Neosporin, but they have many stronger medicines they can prescribe as well.  They also gave him Benodryl IV with his Erbitux infusion.  Good luck.

My mom was on Erbitux for almost a year.  She only had a light rash 2 times.  It was on her arms and legs.  Never on her face.  She always took 50mg of benedryl 30 minutes before treatment. 

Good luck

Donna

HI

My wife had a bad rash on her face, and we used VIT E Oil and it cleared it  right away. So we found that the best...

Sunny,

Your husband should definitely be tested for the Kras mutation before treatment starts.  In fact many insurance companies are now requiring it, and it is good for the patient.  No sense in getting a drug that won't help you.

Also, you should start getting treated for the rash before you receive treatment (ie this week).  Your oncologist should put you on an antibiotic so that hopefully the rash won't develop.  I had Erbitux in 2007 and at that time they didn't treat the rash until after it developed.  A recent study came out and found that it was much more effective to treat the rash before treatment started.  The post about the rash indicating that treatment is working is incorrect.  The doctor is going to tell if treatment is working by seeing if the tumor(s) is shrinking and/or the CEA level is declining.  I had the rash really bad (I could only complete 10 of 24 treatments) and it didn't work for me. 

Jack

I had a very strong rash reaction. I have been on monocycline (anitbiotics) and when I forgot to take enough on a recent trip the rash returned. They also have prescribed hydrocortisone which helps and triamcinolone. So far so good. I think even with the rash this is very doable

Hi Jack,

What kind of pre-treatment do you get for the rash? Do you mean go immediately on an antibiotic or will something like Neosporin suffice. My dad will be starting erbitux in a couple of weeks.

Thanks!