What Is Lapatinib Used For? (Cont.)

How Does Lapatinib Work?

Lapatinib works inside of cancer cells. It binds to the inside of two types of receptors: epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal receptor type 2 (HER2). These two receptors are important for the growth of breast cancer and cells, and lapatinib (when used in combination with capecitabine) helps to slow down this growth.
 

Is Lapatinib Used in Children?

Lapatinib is not approved to treat cancer in children or adolescents. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using the drug in either of these age groups.
 

Is Lapatinib Used for Off-Label Reasons?

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend lapatinib for something other than breast cancer. At this time, there are no universally accepted off-label lapatinib uses.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;