VIZIMPRO 15MG/ 45MG TAB (DACOMITINIB)

🧬 Introduction

           Vizimpro  is a once-daily, oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that irreversibly targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). It’s approved as first-line treatment for adults                with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring sensitizing EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitutions, confirmed via an FDA-approved test

💊 Salt / Composition

• Active Ingredient: Dacomitinib (an irreversible pan‑HER inhibitor)

🧾 Dosage & Administration

• Recommended Dose: 45 mg orally once daily, with or without food .

• Dose Reductions:

  • 1st level: 30 mg daily

  • 2nd level: 15 mg daily

• Adjustments are made based on side effects such as diarrhea or rash.

⚠️ Side Effects

     Very Common (>20%)

• Diarrhea (87%)

• Rash (69%)

• Paronychia (64%)

• Stomatitis (45%)

• Dry skin (30%)

• Decreased appetite (31%)

• Weight loss (26%)

• Alopecia (23%)

• Cough (21%)

• Pruritus (21%)

• Plus: nail disorders, mouth sores, eye irritation, hair changes

     Serious Adverse Reactions

• Diarrhea grade 3/4 (11%)—can be severe/dehydrating

• Interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis: ~0.5% cases, fatal in ~0.3%

• Dermatologic grade 3/4 rash or exfoliation: 21%; skin reactions often require treatment interruption or dose reduction

• Other: mouth sores, infections under nails, dehydration

🧪 Warnings & Precautions

• Interstitial Lung Disease: Monitor for respiratory symptoms; permanently discontinue if ILD confirmed

• Diarrhea: Promptly treat with anti-diarrheals; pause therapy at grade ≥ 2 until resolution .

• Skin Reactions: Use moisturizers, sun protection, topical/oral antibiotics; interrupt treatment at grade 2+.

• Pregnancy Risk: Potential fetal harm—effective contraception during and for at least 17 days post-treatment .

• Monitoring: Regular assessment of hydration, skin, mucosa, pulmonary status.

✅ Conclusion

Vizimpro offers an effective first-line EGFR-targeted therapy for NSCLC with sensitizing mutations, delivering improved progression-free survival (e.g., ARCHER 1050 data). However, it is associated with high rates of dermatologic toxicity, diarrhea, and rare but serious pulmonary risks, necessitating vigilant side effect management and dose adjustments. Proper patient education, routine monitoring, and proactive supportive care are essential to maximize benefit while minimizing harm.