Erlotinib



Tarceva™







Erlotinib

(er LOE tye nib)

U.S. Brand Names
Tarceva™
Pharmacologic Category
Antineoplastic Agent, Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor; Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Inhibitor
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to erlotinib or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat lung cancer.
  • This medicine is used to treat pancreatic cancer.
How does it work?
  • Erlotinib injures cancer cells causing their death.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this medicine on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Do not take antacids within 2 hours of this medicine.
  • If you are taking rifampin, rifapentine, or rifabutin, talk with healthcare provider. These medicines may make this medicine less effective.
  • Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
  • Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine and for at least 2 weeks after treatment ends.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Rash.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Cough.
  • Eye irritation.
  • Lung damage can rarely occur.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Severe diarrhea.
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Sudden change in vision, eye pain or irritation.
  • Significant weight loss.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: