Cetuximab Intravenous and Retisert

• Generic Name: cetuximab
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Erbitux

Cetuximab injection is used together with radiation treatment for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), or with a platinum-based cancer medicine with fluorouracil to treat SCCHN that has come back (recurrent) or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). Cetuximab injection is also used alone in patients with recurrent or metastatic SCCHN who have received other medicines that did not work well.

Cetuximab injection is used together with other medicines (eg, irinotecan, fluorouracil, leucovorin) to treat K-Ras wild-type, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing, metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Your doctor will test for the presence of this gene mutation. Cetuximab injection is also used alone to treat patients with mCRC who have received other medicines (eg, irinotecan, oxaliplatin) that did not work well.

Cetuximab interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are then destroyed by the body. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by cetuximab, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, such as a skin rash, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects do not occur until months or years after the medicine is used.

Before you begin treatment with cetuximab, you and your doctor should talk about the benefits of cetuximab as well as the risks of using it.

Cetuximab should only be given by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

• Generic Name: fluocinolone ophthalmic
• Dosage Forms: intravitreal implant
• Other Brand Names: Retisert, Iluvien, Yutiq

Retisert is an ophthalmic implant containing fluocinolone. Fluocinolone is a steroid medicine. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Retisert ophthalmic implant is used to treat non-infectious posterior uveitis, inflammation that affects the back of the eye.

Retisert slowly releases fluocinolone into the eye over a period of approximately 30 months.