Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Afatinib is a second-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor that binds irreversibly to EGFR, HER2 and HER4. It is used for non-small cell lung cancer with activating EGFR mutations, including some uncommon ones, and for squamous lung cancer after chemotherapy. Diarrhoea and skin rash are common side effects. It is sold as Gilotrif and Giotrif.
Whether afatinib works depends on EGFR mutations in the tumour, which are acquired and found by testing tumour tissue, not inherited. Afatinib is hardly broken down and is excreted mostly unchanged in the stool. The gene studies listed looked at EGFR variants and NR1I2. There is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.
Every published finding on gene variants and Afatinib. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Apatinib (Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors)
Gleevec (Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors)
Inlyta (Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors)
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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