Ramucirumab is an important therapeutic drug, and this article will introduce its basic information, dosage, medication for special populations, and daily precautions in detail to help patients better understand and use the drug.
Basic information of the Ramucirumab
Ramucirumab, developed by Innovent Biologics, was approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China in March 2022. Its English name is Cyramza, and other nicknames include Ramucirumab, Xiranze, etc. The drug mainly exists in the form of injections, with a specification of 100mg/10ml or 500mg/50mL, which is a transparent to slightly milky white, colorless to yellowish solution.
At present, the price of Ramucirumab on the market is about US$745 per box (specification is 100mg*2), and the drug has not yet entered China's medical insurance, and there is no generic drug on the market.
Usage and dosage
The recommended dose of Ramucirumab is 8 mg/kg every 2 weeks by intravenous infusion over a 60-minute infusion period. If the first infusion is well tolerated, subsequent infusions can be completed within 30 minutes. The drug can be used alone or in combination with weekly paclitaxel until the disease worsens or unacceptable toxicity occurs.
Proper dosage is essential to ensure therapeutic effectiveness and reduce side effects. Patients should strictly follow the doctor's instructions during use and pay close attention to the body's reactions.
Medication for special populations
Use by children
The safety and efficacy of Ramucirumab in pediatric patients have not been fully evaluated, so its use should be done with caution.
For the elderly
No significant difference in efficacy was observed between older and younger patients, so no special dose adjustment was required for older adults.
Pregnant and lactating women
Ramucirumab taken by pregnant women may cause harm to the fetus and should be avoided during pregnancy. At the same time, women should refrain from breastfeeding during treatment with Ramucirumab and for 2 months after the last dose.
Medication and daily precautions
Storage method
Ramucirumab should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature range of 2°C to 8°C and stored in the original carton protected from light. Freezing and shaking are prohibited to ensure the stability of the drug.
Drug interactions
Drug interactions with Ramucirumab are currently unclear. Patients should inform their physician in detail about other medications they are taking during use so that they can assess the potential risk of drug interactions.
Check it up regularly
During the use of Ramucirumab, patients should have regular blood pressure monitoring and liver function tests to detect and manage possible abnormalities in a timely manner.
