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Molecule

Gefitinib

Kinase Inhibitor
Available on requestOrphanOncology
Presentations
2
Brands
1
Manufacturers
1
Available from stock
0

Gefitinib is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), among other approved uses. It is available as tablets for oral use. MedsAcross supplies Gefitinib for export from India to licensed hospitals, importers and physicians acting for named patients, with the documents each country requires.

Information from the US FDA prescribing information, retrieved 12 November 2026. Not yet medically reviewed.How we review

Key facts

Pharmacological class
Kinase Inhibitor, Protein Kinase Inhibitors
ATC classification
L01XE02 Gefitinib · ALK inhibitor
US FDA first approval
5 May 2003
EU status
Authorised
Orphan designation
Yes
WHO essential medicine
Not recorded
India (CDSCO)
Not yet confirmed against CDSCO approval lists
Routes
Oral
Dosage forms
Tablet
Identifiers
UNII S65743JHBSRxCUI 328134CAS 184475-35-2DrugBank DB00317Q417824

Clinical information

From the regulator-approved product information. Each section names its source.

Uses

IRESSA is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations as detected by an FDA-approved test. Limitation of Use: Safety and efficacy of IRESSA have not been established in patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have EGFR mutations other than exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations. IRESSA is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations as detected by an FDA-approved test.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

How it works

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed on the cell surface of both normal and cancer cells and plays a role in the processes of cell growth and proliferation. Some EGFR activating mutations (exon 19 deletion or exon 21 point mutation L858R) within NSCLC cells have been identified as contributing to the promotion of tumor cell growth, blocking of apoptosis, increasing the production of angiogenic factors and facilitating the processes of metastasis. Gefitinib reversibly inhibits the kinase activity of wild-type and certain activating mutations of EGFR, preventing autophosphorylation of tyrosine residues associated with the receptor, thereby inhibiting further downstream signaling and blocking EGFR-dependent proliferation. Gefitinib binding affinity for EGFR exon 19 deletion or exon 21 point mutation L858R mutations is higher than its affinity for the wild-type EGFR.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Dosing overview

Recommended dose is 250 mg orally, once daily with or without food. Patient Selection Select patients for the first-line treatment of metastatic NSCLC with IRESSA based on the presence of EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations in their tumor or plasma specimens. If these mutations are not detected in a plasma specimen, test tumor tissue if feasible. Information on FDA-approved tests for the detection of EGFR mutations in NSCLC is available at: http://www.fda.gov/CompanionDiagnostics.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Warnings and precautions

• Interstitial lung disease (ILD): ILD occurred in patients taking IRESSA. Withhold IRESSA for worsening of respiratory symptoms. Discontinue IRESSA if ILD is confirmed. • Hepatotoxicity: Obtain periodic liver function testing. Withhold IRESSA for Grade 2 or higher for ALT and/or AST elevations. Discontinue for severe hepatic impairment. • Gastrointestinal perforation: Discontinue IRESSA for gastrointestinal perforation. • Diarrhea: Withhold IRESSA for Grade 3 or higher diarrhea. • Ocular Disorders including Keratitis: Withhold IRESSA for signs and symptoms of severe or worsening ocular disorders including keratitis. Discontinue for persistent ulcerative keratitis. • Bullous and Exfoliative Skin Disorders: Withhold IRESSA for Grade 3 or higher skin reactions or exfoliative conditions. • Embryo-fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Side effects

The following adverse drug reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: • Interstitial Lung Disease • Hepatotoxicity • Gastrointestinal Perforation • Severe or Persistent Diarrhea • Ocular Disorders including Keratitis • Bullous and Exfoliative Skin Disorders The most commonly reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs), reported in more than 20% of the patients and greater than placebo were skin reactions and diarrhea.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

Interactions

• CYP3A4 Inducer: Increase IRESSA to 500 mg daily in patients receiving a strong CYP3A4 inducer. • CYP3A4 Inhibitor: Monitor adverse reactions if concomitant use with IRESSA. • Drugs Affecting Gastric pH: Avoid concomitant use of IRESSA with proton pump inhibitors, if possible. • Hemorrhage in patients taking warfarin: Monitor changes in prothrombin time or INR.

Source: US FDA prescribing information

For healthcare professionals and buyers. This is not medical advice. Treatment decisions belong to the prescriber.

All presentations

2 presentations of Gefitinib, sorted by availability.

MedicineManufacturerRegisterAvailability
Gefitinib 250 mg tabletOralGeneric name—US FDAAvailable on request
Iressa 250 mg tabletOralAstraZeneca PharmaceuticalsUS FDAAvailable on request

Brands by market

1 brand names across 1 markets.

Brand names by country

United States

Manufacturers

Regulatory status

Approval facts from US FDA, EMA and CDSCO data, and registration status by country where we hold register data.

RegisterStatusSource
US FDAFirst approved 5 May 2003Drugs@FDA
EU (EMA)AuthorisedEMA medicines data
India (CDSCO)Not yet confirmed against CDSCO approval lists—
AustriaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
BelgiumRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
BulgariaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
CroatiaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
CyprusRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
CzechiaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
DenmarkRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
EstoniaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
FinlandRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
FranceRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
GermanyRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
GreeceRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
HungaryRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
IcelandRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
IrelandRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
ItalyRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
LatviaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
LiechtensteinRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
LithuaniaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
LuxembourgRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
MaltaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
NetherlandsRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
NorwayRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
PolandRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
PortugalRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
RomaniaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
SlovakiaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
SloveniaRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
SpainRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
SwedenRegisteredEuropean Medicines Agency (central authorisation)Checked 12 November 2026
United StatesRegisteredUS FDA (NDC directory, openFDA)Checked 12 November 2026

Conditions

Conditions linked to Gefitinib in public data. This is not a list of approved uses, see the clinical information.

Questions and answers

Is Gefitinib available for export from India?

Yes, on request. MedsAcross lists 2 presentations of Gefitinib and sources them for licensed hospitals, importers and physicians against valid import documents.

What brand names does Gefitinib have?

The catalogue lists 1 brand names for Gefitinib, including Iressa.

Is Gefitinib approved by the US FDA?

Yes. The US FDA first approved Gefitinib on 5 May 2003, according to Drugs@FDA.

Is Gefitinib authorised in the European Union?

Yes. Gefitinib has a central EU marketing authorisation (status: authorised), according to European Medicines Agency data.

Does Gefitinib need cold chain shipping?

No listed presentation of Gefitinib is recorded as needing a cold chain. Storage conditions are shown on each presentation page.

Which ATC class is Gefitinib in?

Gefitinib is classified under ATC code L01XE02 (Gefitinib).

References

  1. IRESSA prescribing information (AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals). U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Retrieved 28 February 2023
  2. Iressa: European public assessment report (EPAR). European Medicines Agency. Retrieved 19 October 2026

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