Pronunciation: er-LOE-ti-nib
Generic Name: Erlotinib
Brand Name: Tarceva
Erlotinib is used for:
Treating certain types of advanced or metastatic lung cancer. It is also used to treat certain types of pancreatic cancer in combination with another medicine (gemcitabine).
Erlotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It works by blocking growth stimulatory signals in cancer cells, which helps stop cancer cells from growing.
Do NOT use Erlotinib if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Erlotinib
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Erlotinib:
Some medical conditions may interact with Erlotinib. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of stomach or intestinal problems (eg, peptic ulcer, diverticular disease), liver or kidney problems, or heart or blood vessel problems
- if you have a history of lung problems (eg, lung disease or lung infection) or eye problems
- if you smoke, are dehydrated, or have a rash or another skin condition
- if you have had radiation therapy or chemotherapy
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Erlotinib. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole), ciprofloxacin, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, atazanavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir), macrolide antibiotics (eg, clarithromycin), nefazodone, telithromycin, troleandomycin, or certain other medicines that act on the liver because they may increase the actions and the risk of Erlotinib's side effects
- Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, H2 receptor antagonists (eg, ranitidine), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), proton pump inhibitors (eg, omeprazole), rifamycins (eg, rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine), or St. John's wort because they may decrease Erlotinib's effectiveness
- Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen), or certain other medicines because the risk of stomach or intestinal problems may be increased by Erlotinib
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased by Erlotinib
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Erlotinib may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Erlotinib:
Use Erlotinib as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Erlotinib by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
- Wash your hands immediately after taking Erlotinib.
- Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while you are taking Erlotinib may increase the amount of Erlotinib in your blood, which may increase your risk of serious side effects. Talk with your doctor before including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet.
- Take Erlotinib on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Erlotinib at the same time each day will help you to remember to take it.
- If you take an H2 receptor antagonist (eg, ranitidine), talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how to take these medicines together.
- Do not take an antacid within 1 hour before or 2 hours after you take Erlotinib.
- If you miss a dose of Erlotinib, contact your doctor right away.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Erlotinib.
Important safety information:
- If you experience moderate to severe diarrhea or a severe skin reaction, tell your doctor right away. Your doctor may need to reduce your dose or interrupt treatment. Do not treat diarrhea with nonprescription medicines. You will need to take care not to become dehydrated. Contact your doctor for instructions.
- Check with your doctor before you smoke or use other tobacco products while using Erlotinib. Tobacco products may decrease Erlotinib's effectiveness.
- Women who may become pregnant should use effective birth control while they are taking Erlotinib and for at least 2 weeks after treatment is complete. Check with your doctor if you have questions about effective birth control.
- Erlotinib may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
- Erlotinib may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.
- Erlotinib may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Erlotinib. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Erlotinib before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, including liver, kidney or lung function, eye exams, or blood electrolytes, may be performed while you use Erlotinib. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Erlotinib with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Erlotinib should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Erlotinib if you are pregnant. It has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Erlotinib is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Erlotinib.
Possible side effects of Erlotinib:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Bone pain; constipation; diarrhea; dry skin; fatigue; hair loss; loss of appetite; mild stomach pain; mouth sores or ulcers; nausea; vomiting; weight loss.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; chest, jaw, or left arm pain; confusion; cough; dark urine; decreased urine; excessive hair growth; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; nosebleed; numbness of arm or leg; one-sided weakness; pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe eye dryness, irritation, pain, redness, or discharge; severe or persistent diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, or vomiting; severe rash accompanied by fever, blistering, mouth sores, swelling, muscle or joint aches, or discomfort; shortness of breath; slurred speech; sudden, severe headache; swelling of the hands, legs, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision problems or decrease in vision; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Erlotinib side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; rash.
Proper storage of Erlotinib:
Store Erlotinib at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Erlotinib out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Erlotinib, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Erlotinib is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Erlotinib. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Erlotinib resources
- Erlotinib Side Effects (in more detail)
- Erlotinib Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Erlotinib Drug Interactions
- Erlotinib Support Group
- 13 Reviews for Erlotinib - Add your own review/rating
- Erlotinib Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Erlotinib Monograph (AHFS DI)
- erlotinib Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Tarceva Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Tarceva Consumer Overview
Compare Erlotinib with other medications
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Renal Cell Carcinoma
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