Erlotinib

Erlotinib is a type of targeted therapy used to treat cancer. Erlotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that works by blocking the kinase activity of a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is involved in cell growth and survival. EGFR is found on the surface of normal and cancerous cells. Sometimes normal versions of the EGFR protein can contribute to the development of cancer, but in other cases mutations can occur in the EGFR protein, which enable cancer cells to grow, divide and spread faster. Erlotinib is used to treat pancreatic cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is only used to treat cases of NSCLC that have specific mutations in their EGRF protein - exon 19 deletions or exon 21 substitution mutations. Erlotinib was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004. It is available under the brand name Tarceva and also as a generic tablet.

Erlotinib is a type of targeted therapy used to treat cancer. Erlotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that works by blocking the kinase activity of a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is involved in cell growth and survival. EGFR is found on the surface of normal and cancerous cells. Sometimes normal versions of the EGFR protein can contribute to the development of cancer, but in other cases mutations can occur in the EGFR protein, which enable cancer cells to grow, divide and spread faster. Erlotinib is used to treat pancreatic cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is only used to treat cases of NSCLC that have specific mutations in their EGRF protein - exon 19 deletions or exon 21 substitution mutations. Erlotinib was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004. It is available under the brand name Tarceva and also as a generic tablet.

Do not take erlotinib if you are allergic to erlotinib or any of the ingredients in it. See below for a complete list of ingredients.

Erlotinib can cause serious side effects including: See "Important information" above. Erlotinib can cause skin, hair and nail problems: While taking erlotinib a rash could appear or get worse if the skin is exposed to the sun. You may want to use alcohol-free lotions and sunscreens or avoid being out in the sun. Your skin and nails may get darker while taking erlotinib. You may also have dry skin that may or may not crack. This most often happens with rash. You may get more hairy and develop brittle or loose nails. The most common side effects of erlotinib in patients with NSCLC who had not received previous chemotherapy are: diarrhea weakness rash cough shortness of breath loss of appetite (not wanting to eat) The most common side effects of erlotinib in patients with NSCLC receiving it as maintenance, 2nd or 3rd line therapy are: rash diarrhea The most common side effects of erlotinib in patients with pancreatic cancer are: fatigue (feeling very tired) rash nausea loss of appetite diarrhea These are not all of the possible side effects with erlotinib. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Talk to your doctor about any side effects that bother you or do not go away. You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Erlotinib can cause serious side effects, including Lung problems called interstitial lung disease events. Erlotinib has been shown to cause lung problems, including death. Symptoms of lung problems may include shortness of breath, cough, and fever. Erlotinib may need to be stopped if you have any of these symptoms. Liver and kidney problems. Erlotinib has been shown to cause severe kidney and liver problems, including death. Some people had their kidneys and liver stop working. Let your healthcare provider know if you have a history of liver or kidney disease. Stomach and intestinal problems called gastrointestinal perforation. Erlotinib has been shown to cause gastrointestinal perforation, which has led to death. A gastrointestinal perforation is a hole that develops in your stomach or intestine. Erlotinib patients may be at a higher risk for gastrointestinal perforation if they: Are taking medicines including those that may help block the growth of blood vessels; steroids; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); and certain chemotherapies. Always tell your healthcare provider about any medicines you are taking. Have a history of ulcers or other stomach disease. Serious skin conditions. Erlotinib has been shown to cause blistering and skin peeling. This may result in other serious skin disorders or death. Blood, bleeding, and clotting problems. Erlotinib has been shown to cause certain blood problems and other bleeding and clotting problems. These have led to stroke and death. Eye disorders. Erlotinib has been shown to cause dry eyes, unusual eyelash growth, or swelling of the cornea. The cornea is the clear coating of the eyeball. This swelling may irritate or damage the eye. Bleeding events when taking warfarin with erlotinib. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking a blood thinner, such as warfarin. Taking erlotinib with this medicine can cause death. Pregnancy. Erlotinib can harm an unborn baby. Women should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose of erlotinib. Tell your healthcare provider if you have become pregnant, or if you think you may be pregnant, during treatment with erlotinib. Do not breast-feed during treatment with erlotinib and for 2 weeks after the final dose. Call your healthcare provider if you experience the following while taking erlotinib: Serious or ongoing diarrhea, nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), loss of appetite, or vomiting. New or worsening shortness of breath or cough. Eye irritation. New or worsening rash, blistering, or peeling of the skin. Any changes in smoking habits.

Erlotinib can cause serious side effects, including Lung problems called interstitial lung disease events. Erlotinib has been shown to cause lung problems, including death. Symptoms of lung problems may include shortness of breath, cough, and fever. Erlotinib may need to be stopped if you have any of these symptoms. Liver and kidney problems. Erlotinib has been shown to cause severe kidney and liver problems, including death. Some people had their kidneys and liver stop working. Let your healthcare provider know if you have a history of liver or kidney disease. Stomach and intestinal problems called gastrointestinal perforation. Erlotinib has been shown to cause gastrointestinal perforation, which has led to death. A gastrointestinal perforation is a hole that develops in your stomach or intestine. Erlotinib patients may be at a higher risk for gastrointestinal perforation if they: Are taking medicines including those that may help block the growth of blood vessels; steroids; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); and certain chemotherapies. Always tell your healthcare provider about any medicines you are taking. Have a history of ulcers or other stomach disease. Serious skin conditions. Erlotinib has been shown to cause blistering and skin peeling. This may result in other serious skin disorders or death. Blood, bleeding, and clotting problems. Erlotinib has been shown to cause certain blood problems and other bleeding and clotting problems. These have led to stroke and death. Eye disorders. Erlotinib has been shown to cause dry eyes, unusual eyelash growth, or swelling of the cornea. The cornea is the clear coating of the eyeball. This swelling may irritate or damage the eye. Bleeding events when taking warfarin with erlotinib. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking a blood thinner, such as warfarin. Taking erlotinib with this medicine can cause death. Pregnancy. Erlotinib can harm an unborn baby. Women should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose of erlotinib. Tell your healthcare provider if you have become pregnant, or if you think you may be pregnant, during treatment with erlotinib. Do not breast-feed during treatment with erlotinib and for 2 weeks after the final dose. Call your healthcare provider if you experience the following while taking erlotinib: Serious or ongoing diarrhea, nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), loss of appetite, or vomiting. New or worsening shortness of breath or cough. Eye irritation. New or worsening rash, blistering, or peeling of the skin. Any changes in smoking habits.

100 mg (100 (100)) 24 hourly oral — For non-small cell PANCREATIC cancer, should be taken at least one hour before or two hours after the ingestion of food. 150 mg (150 (150)) 24 hourly PO — For non-small cell LUNG cancer, should be taken at least one hour before or two hours after the ingestion of food. Scraped Dose — Take erlotinib tablets exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Take erlotinib once daily. Take erlotinib on an empty stomach, one hour before food or two hours after food.

No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

Erlotinib can interact with a number of other medications. You may need to adjust the dose or timing of erlotinib or your other medications. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any new medicines or supplements. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice before talking with your healthcare provider.

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