How long can I take Gefitinib?

Gefitinib (Gefitinib) is a drug used to treat patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who carry specific epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations. The duration of drug use can vary depending on the patient's condition, response to treatment, and individual differences. In general, the duration of gefitinib use is determined based on your doctor's advice and treatment.

In many cases, gefitinib is used as part of long-term treatment to control tumor growth and slow disease progression. Some patients may experience sustained disease control with gefitinib, allowing the drug to be used for months or even years.

However, drug efficacy and tolerability vary between patients. Some patients may develop drug resistance or disease progression over time, which may require doctors to reevaluate treatment plans and consider whether they need to switch to other treatment options.

In summary, the duration of gefitinib use depends on the patient's specific circumstances. Doctors will develop a treatment plan that is most suitable for the patient based on the patient's condition, treatment response and the latest clinical guidelines. During the use of drugs, regular follow-up and monitoring are crucial to ensure the efficacy of the drug and to adjust the treatment plan in a timely manner to provide the best clinical results.

Gefitinib was launched in China in 2005. At that time, the price of a box was about 5,000 yuan. In 2017 it entered the domestic medical insurance. After the medical insurance, the price dropped a lot. There are domestically produced drugs in the country. For the specific price after the medical insurance, please consult the local hospital pharmacy or the medical insurance bureau. Other versions include original drugs and cost-effective generic drugs. Generic drugs include generic drugs from India, Bangladesh and Laos. The prices vary with different specifications, about 200~800yuan, and the ingredients of generic drugs are basically the same as domestic drugs.