What happens once the targeted drug Gefitinib is stopped?

The targeted drug Gefitinib (Gefitinib) is a drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially for patients who carry epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Stopping gefitinib may cause some effects and consequences. Here are some of the things that may happen:

1.Tumor recurrence or progression: Gefitinib treats lung cancer by inhibiting the growth and spread of tumor cells. If the drug is stopped, the tumor cells may lose their suppression, potentially causing the tumor to start growing again or progress.

2.The problem of drug resistance: Some lung cancer patients may develop drug resistance after using gefitinib for a period of time, that is, the drug no longer produces the expected effect on the tumor. If tumor growth begins again after treatment is discontinued, reintroduction of gefitinib may be less effective because resistance mechanisms may persist.

3.Symptom worsening: Using gefitinib can reduce symptoms of lung cancer patients, such as dyspnea, cough, etc. Stopping the medication may cause your symptoms to worsen.

4.Doctor’s advice: If a patient’s doctor believes that continued use of gefitinib will be beneficial to their condition, discontinuing the drug may not be a wise decision. The doctor will develop a treatment plan based on the patient's specific situation and disease progression.

Gefitinib was launched in China in 2005. At that time, the price of a box was about 5,000 yuan. Enter medical insurance in China in 2017. The price after medical insurance has dropped a lot. For the specific price after 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.