Example orders for Cetuximab (Erbitux) in colon cancer

Remember that example order sets that may contain additional information about supportive medications, suggestions for monitoring, hydration, and pre-treatment screening information for chemotherapy regimens are purely anecdotal, provided only as examples of what some other providers may be using, and are typically not based on references in the primary literature.

Cetuximab (Erbitux)

Original references may be found at Cetuximab (Erbitux)

Example regimen #1

For cycle 1:

• Cetuximab (Erbitux) 400 mg/m² IV over 2 hours on day 1
  • Use non-DEHP/paclitaxel tubing.
• Cetuximab (Erbitux) 250 mg/m² IV over 60 minutes on days 8, 15, 22
  • Use non-DEHP/paclitaxel tubing.

28-day cycle

Supportive medications

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg PO once; 30 minutes prior to cetuximab
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 50 mg IV 30 minutes prior to cetuximab

Hydration:

• 500 ml NS at KVO rate as running IV for chemotherapy infusion. Give up to 500 ml NS.

Monitoring:

• Hold if ANC less than 1000 or platelets less than 100 and notify physician.

For cycle 2 and later:

• Cetuximab (Erbitux) 250 mg/m² IV over 60 minutes on days 1, 8, 15, 22
  • Use non-DEHP/paclitaxel tubing.

28-day cycles

Supportive medications

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg PO once; 30 minutes prior to cetuximab
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 50 mg IV 30 minutes prior to cetuximab

Hydration:

• 500 ml NS at KVO rate as running IV for chemotherapy infusion. Give up to 500 ml NS.

Monitoring:

• Hold if ANC less than 1000 or platelets less than 100 and notify physician.

Comments:

• My institution uses 28-day cycles for Cetuximab (Erbitux) regimens.