How Assistance Works
Streamlining our patient’s specialty pharmacy experience with unmatched full-service convenience
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1. Check Your Coverage/Benefits Verification
Our team of expert billers finds the best avenues of coverage that minimize out-of-pocket costs.
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2. Transfer Prescription to AmeriPharma®
We process your prescription by working with your previous pharmacy or prescriber, making the transition quick and easy.
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3. Prior Authorization
Our team of specialists obtains approval from your insurance companies within 24 to 72 hours.
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4. Copay Assistance & Financial Aid
We secure financial aid and decrease copays, out-of-pocket expenses, and high deductibles. To date, AmeriPharma® Specialty Care has secured $55 million in financial assistance for our patients.
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5. Nursing Care Coordination If Needed
AmeriPharma® puts your schedule and home environment first when scheduling and coordinating one of our specialized nurses for your in-home infusions.
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6. Delivery Coordination
Medications are always delivered in strict compliance with the specific requirements for shipping. Next-day and overnight cold-chain deliveries are coordinated around your schedule.
Gefitinib (Iressa) Introduction and Uses
Iressa is a brand-name medication. The active ingredient in this product is gefitinib, which is in a drug class called tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Iressa is FDA-approved to treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults whose tumors have certain EGFR gene mutations.
Note: Before starting treatment, your healthcare provider will order an FDA-approved test to determine whether your tumor has specific EGFR gene mutations.
Gefitinib comes as round, brown film-coated tablets to take by mouth. Each tablet contains 250 mg of gefitinib. The tablets are supplied in a bottle of 30 tablets.
Gefitinib Mechanism of Action
Gefitinib blocks the activity of a protein called the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).
In normal cells, EGFR plays a crucial role in regulating cell multiplication. However, in certain types of non-small cell lung cancer, mutated EGFR continuously sends signals that cause cancer cells to grow and divide uncontrollably.
By blocking mutated EGFR, gefitinib slows or stops the growth and spread of cancer cells that depend on this pathway.
Before Taking Gefitinib
Before you receive your first dose of Iressa, inform your provider if you:
- Are allergic to this product or any product component
- Have liver or lung disease (or breathing problems)
- Have vision problems
- Are taking certain medicines for indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers
- Are taking a blood thinner
- Are pregnant or plan to get pregnant
- Are breastfeeding (don’t breastfeed while using this medication)
How Gefitinib Copay Assistance Works
AmeriPharma® Specialty Pharmacy alleviates financial burdens for patients and their families
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Advanced software locates funding sources to match you with top-dollar foundation programs
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One of our copay assistance specialists will assist with the application process
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Automatic updates will be sent to you and your physician on the status of the funding
Dosing
The recommended dose is 250 mg orally once daily. Treatment lasts until the cancer worsens or you experience intolerable side effects.
Proper Use and Storage
- Take your doses exactly as directed. Take your medicine around the same time each day.
- You may take this medication with or without food.
- If you miss a dose, take the missed dose immediately after you remember. Don’t take the missed dose if the next dose is less than 12 hours away.
- If you think an overdose has occurred, call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care if severe symptoms develop.
- If you find it hard to swallow the tablet whole, add your dose to about 200 ml of water, stir for 15 minutes, and drink the liquid immediately. Next, add an equal quantity of water to the same container, and drink it immediately.
- Store this medication in its original bottle at room temperature (68°F to 77°F [20°C to 25°C]).
Acid-reducing medicines such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H2 blockers, and antacids can reduce how well Iressa works. Tell your healthcare provider if you take any of these medicines so they can advise you on the safest way to use them together.
Gefitinib Side Effects
Common side effects include:
- Dry skin
- Itching
- Rash
- Acne
- Mouth sores
- Weakness
Serious side effects include:
- New or worsening breathing problems, shortness of breath, cough, or fever
- Severe or persistent diarrhea
- Severe abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Eye pain, redness, or irritation
- Vision changes
- Watery eyes
- Eyes sensitive to light
- Hives
- Blisters or peeling skin
- Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- Nausea, vomiting
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Dark urine
- Pale stools
- Pain or discomfort in the right upper region of your stomach
Insurances Accepted
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
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