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
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.
What Is Vectibix?
Vectibix is the U.S. brand name for panitumumab, a 100% human monoclonal antibody. It is made by cloning a unique white blood cell from the human body. Vectibix is usually prescribed as a treatment for colorectal cancer for patients who have received other therapies. It is administered via injection, and is usually recommended for cancer that has metastasized, or moved to other parts of the body.
Panitumumab is specific to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a cell membrane-spanning protein that receives and transduces signals for complex proteins within the epidermal growth factor family. Mutations that cause amplification of EGFR have been associated with colorectal cancer as well as other cancers. This drug is not effective in patients with mutations related to the KRAS and NRAS genes.
Manufactured by Amgen, panitumumab was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September of 2006 for treating progressive EGFR-expressing metastatic colon cancer that didn’t respond to other therapies. The European Medicines Agency also approved this drug in 2007, as did Health Canada the following year.
What Is Vectibix Used For?
Vectibix is specifically used for treating colorectal cancer that expresses EGFR. As a monoclonal antibody, the drug seeks out and binds itself to certain cancer cells. This binding prevents the activation of EGFR, interfering with the intracellular signals that depend on the receptor. This effectively slows or stops the development of cancer cells.
The drug is currently being studied in phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials for other types of cancer. Current phase 3 trials include the treatment of esophageal cancer, metastatic head and neck cancer, urothelial carcinoma, and liver metastasis in colorectal cancer. Initial trials showed some efficacy for those suffering from bladder cancer, malignant melanoma, prostate cancer, and renal cell carcinoma.
Copay and Financial Assistance
AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care 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
Directions for Use
Vectibix is administered by intravenous infusion and only under the direct supervision of your doctor. This drug can be used as a first-line therapy in conjunction with FOLFOX (leucovorin [folinic acid], fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin) chemotherapy. It can also be used alone after colorectal cancer has progressed or moved to other parts of the body, and the patient has undergone chemotherapy containing fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, or irinotecan.
Because Vectibix can worsen outcomes in patients with tumors with KRAS or NRAS mutations, it’s important that the patient’s RAS mutation status is known in advance. This drug can also cause fetal harm, so pregnant patients should not take Vectibix. Breastfeeding during treatment and for 2 months after the final dose of Vectibix should be avoided due to the risk of serious adverse reactions for the infant. Patients on Vectibix should use contraception during treatment and up to 2 months after the last dose.
For most patients, the infusion will take approximately an hour. Depending on your tolerance, follow-up infusions may be only half an hour. Larger doses can exceed 90 minutes of infusion time. Your doctor may make adjustments to dosage and infusion time based on how your body responds to Vectibix.
Vectibix Side Effects
Because Vectibix blocks growth signals to receptors for various cells, patients taking it may experience the following side effects or symptoms:
- Skin rashes, including a rash that resembles acne
- Itchiness
- Redness
- Skin peeling
- Nail infections near the side of nail beds of the fingers or toes
- Dry mouth, lips, or skin
- Skin fissures
- Infections in the blood, skin, fat, or other tissues, possibly resulting in death
- Low levels of electrolytes (magnesium, calcium, and potassium)
- Infusion reactions, including fever, chills, shortness of breath, throat spasms, and low blood pressure
- Diarrhea or dehydration, especially when used in combination with other treatments
- Pulmonary fibrosis or interstitial lung disease
Sun exposure can also complicate the skin reaction side effects, so wearing protective clothing and avoiding sunlight are recommended while on Vectibix treatment. Severe side effects may occur in patients who have KRAS or NRAS mutations.
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.
Get Started in Minutes
Fill out your information and one of our specialists will call you ASAP.
How Much Can You Save?
Speak with a copay assistance specialist
(877) 778-0318
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