Afatinib is an oral anticancer medicine from the class of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs).
It acts as an irreversible blocker of the ErbB family receptors, mainly EGFR (ErbB1) and HER2 (ErbB2), thereby inhibiting cancer cell growth and survival.

Afatinib Tablets IP 40 mg are used for:

• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

  • First-line treatment of metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletion or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations

  • Treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung after failure of platinum-based chemotherapy

Common Side Effects

• Diarrhea (very common)

• Skin rash / acne-like rash

• Mouth ulcers (stomatitis)

• Dry skin, itching

• Nail infections (paronychia)

• Decreased appetite

• Fatigue

Serious Side Effects

• Severe diarrhea leading to dehydration

• Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) – breathlessness, cough

• Liver toxicity (elevated liver enzymes)

• Severe skin reactions

• Eye disorders (keratitis, conjunctivitis)

• Cardiac effects (rare)

Dosage must be prescribed by an oncologist.

Usual Recommended Dose

• 40 mg orally once daily.

This is the standard starting dose for most patients.

Administration Instructions

• Take on an empty stomach, At least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food

• Swallow the tablet whole with water

• Do not crush or chew

• Continue treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity