[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [FGFR inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/fgfr-inhibitors/) › Erdafitinib # Erdafitinib ## FGFR inhibitors? FGFR inhibitors ## High alert? An error with this medicine can cause serious harm: double checks and protocols are used. ## Pregnancy: avoid? Avoid in pregnancy. Erdafitinib may harm the fetus: a pregnancy test may be done first, contraception is used during treatment and for a month after, and breastfeeding is stopped. An oral pan-FGFR inhibitor for urothelial cancer with FGFR3 changes. Raises blood phosphate and harms the eyes, skin and nails. Updated Nov 12, 2026 ## Quick facts **Group** [FGFR inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/fgfr-inhibitors/) **Target** Fibroblast growth factor receptor kinases (FGFR1–4) **Used for** Locally advanced **Key effects** High blood phosphate · Mouth sores · Diarrhoea **Monitor** FGFR3 alteration test before starting · Skin **ATC** L01EN01 No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline. On this page - The basics Mechanism of action - Indications - Adverse effects - Pharmacokinetics - Memory aid - Clinical What the labels mean - Safety Contraindications - Key interactions - What is monitored - Administration and safety - Pregnancy and breastfeeding - Nursing care - Study Test yourself - Connections Connections ## Mechanism of action ✂**Fibroblast growth factor receptor kinases (FGFR1–4)**Erdafitinib ⓘ The crystal shows erdafitinib (code JNJ-42756493) in the ATP site of the human FGFR1 kinase domain; in urothelial cancer the main target is FGFR3, whose site is very similar. **Target in 3D:** Fibroblast growth factor receptor kinases (FGFR1–4). PDB structure 5EW8 (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/5EW8) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom Some urothelial cancers depend on mutated or fused FGFR3. Erdafitinib occupies the ATP site of FGFR1, 2, 3 and 4 and blocks their signalling, so tumour cells stop growing and die. FGFR inhibition also raises blood phosphate: an expected on-target effect, not an off-target toxicity. - Erdafitinib fills the ATP site of FGFR1–4 - FGFR3-driven tumour signalling stops - FGFR blockade raises blood phosphate (on-target) ## Indications - Locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma with susceptible FGFR3 alterations that progressed after at least one prior systemic therapy. [Bladder cancer →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/bladder-cancer/) ## Adverse effects ### Common - High blood phosphate - Mouth sores, dry mouth, taste change - Diarrhoea, nausea, decreased appetite - Dry skin, hand-foot reactions, nail changes - Dry eyes, hair loss, fatigue ### Serious (rare, important) - Eye disorders, including central serous retinopathy (blurred vision, loss of vision) - Hyperphosphataemia and soft-tissue mineralisation - Severe nail, skin and hand-foot reactions ## Contraindications - Hypersensitivity to erdafitinib ## Key interactions **Phosphate-rich foods and phosphate supplements** Worsen hyperphosphataemia; a low-phosphate diet may be advised. ## What is monitored - FGFR3 alteration test before starting - Serum phosphate, especially early in treatment - Eye examinations, including the retina, regularly - Skin, nails and mouth ## Administration and safety - Oral tablets swallowed whole, not split, chewed or crushed. - If vomiting follows a dose, no extra dose is taken. - Artificial tears or lubricating eye drops are often used. ## Pregnancy and breastfeeding Avoid in pregnancy. Erdafitinib may harm the fetus: a pregnancy test may be done first, contraception is used during treatment and for a month after, and breastfeeding is stopped. ## Nursing care - Teach to report blurred vision or other vision changes at once. - Explain the low-phosphate diet if ordered, and check phosphate results. - Teach skin and nail care and to report painful, cracked skin or nail changes. - Contraception during treatment and for a month after; breastfeeding is stopped. ## Pharmacokinetics **Absorption** Oral tablets once a day, with or without food. ## Memory aid «FGFR: Phosphate goes up, Eyes go dry»: high phosphate and eye toxicity are the signature effects of the FGFR inhibitors. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which FGFR gene is altered in tumours treated with erdafitinib? FGFR3 (urothelial carcinoma). ## Is the high blood phosphate on erdafitinib an off-target effect? No: it is an expected on-target consequence of FGFR inhibition. ## Which organ requires regular examinations on erdafitinib? The eye (retina), for central serous retinopathy. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/erdafitinib/) [More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology) ## What the labels mean **High alert** An error with this medicine can cause serious harm: double checks and protocols are used. **Pregnancy: avoid** Avoid in pregnancy. Erdafitinib may harm the fetus: a pregnancy test may be done first, contraception is used during treatment and for a month after, and breastfeeding is stopped. ## Connections ## Related drugs 1 - [Pemigatinib](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/pemigatinib/) ## Related conditions 1 - [Bladder cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/bladder-cancer/) [← Back to the class: FGFR inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/fgfr-inhibitors/) Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given. Sources: [Erdafitinib: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a619031.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Erdafitinib - NCI](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/erdafitinib) (National Cancer Institute, 2024); [RCSB PDB - 5EW8: FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR 1 IN COMPLEX WITH JNJ-4275693](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/5EW8) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=L01EN01) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/erdafitinib/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/erdafitinib/