Erbitux (cetuximab) is a brand-name drug prescribed for certain types of cancer in adults. Erbitux comes as an intravenous (IV) infusion that’s given by a healthcare professional once per week or every 2 weeks.

Erbitux is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following cancers in certain situations in adults:

Erbitux is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. Erbitux is not available in a biosimilarTrusted Source version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Erbitux, including its strengths and how to receive the medication. For a comprehensive look, see this other article about Erbitux.

Note:This article describes typical dosages for Erbitux provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Erbitux dosage that’s right for you.

Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about the risk of serious and fatal infusion reactions and the risk of sudden death or cardiac arrest. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Serious and fatal infusion reactions: Serious reactions occurred when Erbitux was given in clinical trials. These reactions were rare and more likely to happen during the first IV infusion. Serious effects that may occur include:

• low blood pressure
• shock
• losing consciousness
• difficulty breathing
• heart attack and/or cardiac arrest

The risk of serious infusion reactions is higher in people with certain factors, such as: history of tick bites, red meat allergy, or antibodies against galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal).

To help prevent an infusion reaction, your doctor will give you an antihistamine medication before your Erbitux infusion. Then, they’ll monitor you closely during your infusion and for at least 1 hour after it’s over. Let your doctor know if you’ve ever been bitten by a tick or if you have any allergies. They may also order a blood test to check for alpha-gal antibodies.

Cardiac arrest or sudden death: When Erbitux was given in clinical trials with radiation or platinum-based chemotherapy plus fluorouracil, there were reports of sudden death from cardiac arrest. This was rare and happened in people with and without known heart problems. Let your doctor know if you have any heart problems, such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, or heart rhythm problems. If they recommend Erbitux for you, they’ll monitor you closely during and after your Erbitux infusion.

For more information about these warnings and how they may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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Read below for details about Erbitux’s dosages for its approved uses.

Erbitux form

Erbitux comes as a solution that’s given as an IV infusion. It’s always given by a healthcare professional.

Erbitux strengths

Erbitux comes in two strengths:

  • 100 milligrams (mg) per 50 milliliters (mL) of solution (2 mg/mL)
  • 200 mg per 100 mL of solution (2 mg/mL)

Typical dosages

Your Erbitux dosage will be calculated by your doctor based on your body surface area (BSA) in square meters (m2). (BSA is based on your height and weight.) The dosage per m2 is measured in milligrams (mg) per m2 (mg/m2) of BSA.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for metastatic colorectal cancer

Doctors may prescribe Erbitux to treat mCRC. It may be given alone, with certain chemotherapy drugs, or with encorafenib (Braftovi). For details about these chemotherapy drugs, see the “Uses” section of this article.

You may receive your Erbitux infusion once weekly or every 2 weeks.

The dosage for Erbitux when it’s used alone or with chemotherapy is:

  • Erbitux dose once per week:
    • first dose: 400 mg/m2
    • subsequent doses: 250 mg/m2
  • Erbitux dose once every 2 weeks:
    • first dose: 500 mg/m2
    • subsequent doses: 500 mg/m2

The dosage for Erbitux when used with encorafenib is:

  • first dose: 400 mg/m2
  • subsequent doses: 250 mg/m2 once per week

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for squamous cell cancer of the head and neck

Erbitux is also approved to treat SCCHN. Erbitux may be given by itself, with radiation therapy, or with platinum-based chemotherapy and fluorouracil.

You’ll receive your Erbitux infusion once per week or every 2 weeks.

The dosage for Erbitux when used with radiation therapy is:

  • first dose: 400 mg/m2 given 1 week before starting radiation therapy
  • subsequent doses: 250 mg/m2 given once per week for as long as radiation therapy lasts (typically 6 to 7 weeks)

The dosage for Erbitux when used alone or with platinum-based chemotherapy and fluorouracil is:

  • Erbitux dose once per week:
    • first dose: 400 mg/m2
    • subsequent doses: 250 mg/m2
  • Erbitux dose once every 2 weeks:
    • first dose: 500 mg/m2
    • subsequent doses: 500 mg/m2

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

How you’ll receive Erbitux

Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you the IV infusion of Erbitux. You’ll likely go to your doctor’s office, infusion center, or a hospital to receive your infusion.

The first infusion takes 2 hours and subsequent infusions take 1 hour.

If you have questions about how to use Erbitux, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Long-term treatment

Erbitux is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Erbitux is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely receive it long term.

Before you start receiving Erbitux, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Erbitux.

What’s the dose of Erbitux when it’s given once every 2 weeks?

If you receive Erbitux once every 2 weeks, your first and subsequent doses will be 500 mg per m2 of BSA. For example, if you have a BSA of 1.8 m2, your first Erbitux dose will be 900 mg. (BSA is based on your height and weight.) This is given as an IV infusion over 2 hours.

If you’re receiving the drug by itself or with chemotherapy, your doctor may prescribe Erbitux infusion once every week or every 2 weeks. For details, see the “Erbitux dosage” section.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your Erbitux dosing schedule.

Is there a dosing or treatment protocol for Erbitux?

Yes, Erbitux is typically given once per week or every 2 weeks. The Erbitux dosage you receive depends on:

  • the type of cancer you have
  • your height and weight
  • other treatments you may receive with Erbitux (see “Erbitux dosage” for details)
  • any side effects you may experience while receiving Erbitux infusions

Your doctor will determine the Erbitux dosing protocol that’s best for you. If you have questions about your Erbitux treatment plan, talk with your doctor.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.