Sold under the trade name Tarceva, Erlotinib is an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase that is prescribed for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment and pancreatic cancer treatment.
This drug targets a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) that is present in the cancer cells and hence keeps them from multiplying. Erlotinib inhibits the functioning of an enzyme (tyrosine kinase) and blocks the signaling pathway for cancer cells while doing no harm to normal cells.
This drug is helpful for those patients whose cancer has been metastasized and spread to other body parts and has uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor mutations.
Erlotinib tablets can be used either alone or in combination with gemcitabine that is used for the treatment of patients suffering from advanced-stage pancreatic cancer who have never received any chemotherapy.
Erlotinib is among some lung cancer medications used for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 mutations.
Dosage of Erlotinib 150 mg tablets
Take these tablets by your mouth that enables it to reach every part of your body through the bloodstream. One should take erlotinib 150 mg around the same time every day, at least 1 hour before your meal or 2 hours after having your food.
Don’t chew these tablets and avoid crushing or splitting them. Take this medication as directed on the prescription label or as prescribed by your doctor. Don’t skip a dose or change the amount of dosage without consulting your doctor.
The amount of this drug that you should take depends on many factors such as your health condition or pre-existing health problems.
Precautions to follow
Before you start taking this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history and also if you are allergic to any of the ingredients present in erlotinib.
Also, tell your doctor what other prescriptions and medications you are currently taking or planning to take such as vitamins, herbal remedies, or other medication.
Inform your doctor if you have received chemotherapy or radiation therapy in the past.
Make sure you don’t have a history of liver diseases, kidney problems, stomach bleeding, and breathing problems.
If you are using antacids, take them a few hours before or after taking erlotinib.
Do not breastfeed while you are on the treatment or even 2 weeks subsequent to your final dose.
Pregnant women should not use this medication or else it would harm the unborn child.
If you smoke or use any tobacco product, this medication might be less effective for you.
Do not receive any type of vaccination during this therapy.
How to store or dispose of this medication?
Keep erlotinib in an air tight container and keep it out of children’s reach. Always store it at room temperature and avoid exposure to intense heat or moisture.
Even when you want to dispose of unneeded or expired prescriptions, make sure you do that carefully so that pets or children cannot consume them.
Don’t flush it down the toilet. Rather, go for a medicine take back option and make a pharmaceutical donation.
Erlotinib side effects
The side effects of erlotinib are many and here are the most common ones that may surface in more than 30% of patients:
Diarrhea
Rash
Weakness
Eye irritation
Cough
Shortness of breath
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Some less common side effects may include:
Dry skin
Mouth sores
Infection
Itching
Abdominal pain
Irritation in the eye
Apart from these side effects, there are also some rare ones that occur in less than 10% of the patients. Here they are:
Lung problems
Kidney and liver problems
Serious skin problems
Blood clotting
Severe eye disorders
Stomach problems
If you experience unusual or serious symptoms, consult your doctor about the same.
Drug Interactions:
Inform your healthcare practitioner in case you are on with other drugs, including prescription, non-prescription and natural health products, because they may be responsible for speed up or slow down the breakdown of erlotinib. For instance:
Grapefruit juice.
St. John’s Wort.
Antifungals (ketoconazole, fluconazole).
Calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, verapamil).
Macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin).
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin).
Antibiotics like rifampin.
Antivirals (ritonavir, indinavir).
Anticonvulsants (carbamazepine and phenytoin).
Blood thinners (warfarin).
Medicines which reduce acid in the stomach (omeprazole, ranitidine).
Statin medications in order to treat the high cholesterol.
FAQs
What was Tarceva in its new indication expected to be prescribed for?
This drug was to be prescribed together with gemcitabine (another anticancer drug) in order to treat advanced, unresectable or metastatic cancer of the pancreas.
How is Erlotinib (Tarceva) expected to work?
It is specifically an anticancer medication that falls under the class of the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors.
Erlotinib blocks the EGFR, which can exist on the surface of certain tumour cells. As an outcome of this block, the tumour cells can no longer get the messages required for growth, progression and spreading and consequently the cancerous cells are blocked from growing as well as multiplying.
NOTE: The piece of information provided about Erlotinib Uses, Precautions, Dosage & Side Effects in this article is just for informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for the medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis of an experienced or qualified healthcare practitioner.