Tarceva

Tarceva is a prescription medication used to treat non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to nearby tissues or to other parts of the body in patients. It is used when other treatments have not succeeded. Tarceva is also used to treat pancreatic cancer that has spread to nearby tissues or to other parts of the body. Tarceva belongs to a group of drugs called kinase inhibitors. These work by blocking the action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps slow or stop the spread of cancer cells.

Tarceva comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken on an empty stomach once a day, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating a meal or snack. Take Tarceva at around the same time every day.

Common side effects include rash, diarrhea, and tiredness. Talk with your healthcare provider if you notice a rash. He or she may be able to help you manage it. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Tarceva will affect you.

Tarceva is a prescription medication used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to nearby tissues or to other parts of the body in patients. It is used when other treatments have not succeeded. It is approved to treat patients whose tumors have specific epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations.

Tarceva is also used to treat pancreatic cancer that has spread to nearby tissues or to other parts of the body.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your weight
• your height
• your age
• your gender

The recommended daily dose of Tarceva for non-small cell lung cancer is 150 mg taken on an empty stomach (or at least one 1 before or 2 hours after the ingestion of food).

The recommended daily dose of Tarceva for pancreatic cancer is 100 mg taken on an empty stomach (or at least one 1 before or 2 hours after the ingestion of food).

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• rash (may look like acne and may affect the skin on the face, upper chest, or back)
• blistering, peeling, dry, or cracked skin
• itching, tenderness, or burning of the skin
• shortness of breath
• cough
• fever or chills
• growth of eyelashes on the inside of the eyelid
• dry, red, painful, or irritated eyes
• blurred vision
• chest pain or pressure
• pain in the arms, neck, or upper back
• rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
• slow or difficult speech
• dizziness or faintness
• weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• black and tarry or bloody stools
• vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds
• sunken eyes
• dry mouth
• decreased urination
• dark urine
• pale or yellow skin
• redness, warmth, pain, tenderness, or swelling in one leg

Do not take Tarceva if you are allergic to Tarceva or to any of its inactive ingredients.

Tarceva may cause fatigue. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how erlotinib will affect you.

Common side effects of Tarceva include the following:

• rash
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• fatigue
• difficulty breathing
• cough
• nausea
• vomiting

This is not a complete list of this medication’s side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• angiogenesis inhibitors such as bevacizumab (Avastin)
• anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• certain antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and voriconazole (Vfend)
• carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Proquin XR)
• clarithromycin (Biaxin)
• HIV protease inhibitors such as atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase)
• H₂ blockers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), and ranitidine (Zantac)
• medications for acne such as benzoyl peroxide (in Epiduo, in BenzaClin, in Benzamycin, others)
• midazolam (Versed)
• nefazodone
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
• oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone)
• phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• proton pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), and rabeprazole (AcipHex)
• rifabutin (Mycobutin)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
• rifapentine
• taxane medications for cancer such as docetaxel (Taxotere) and paclitaxel (Abraxane, Taxol
• telithromycin (Ketek)
• cigarette smoke
• St. John's wort

This is not a complete list of all drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

This medication falls into category D.  You should not become pregnant while you are taking Tarceva and for at least 2 weeks after your treatment. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you become pregnant while taking Tarceva, call your doctor immediately. Tarceva may harm the fetus (unborn baby).

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Tarceva crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using this medication.

Take Tarceva on an empty stomach once a day, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating a meal or snack.

Tell your doctor if you are taking antacids and/or grapefruit/grapefruit juice as these may interact with Tarceva. 

Tell your doctor if you use tobacco products as cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.

To prevent diarrhea that may be caused by Tarceva , drink small sips of a liquid such as a sugar-free sports drink often throughout the day, eat mild foods such as crackers and toast, and avoid spicy foods.

Try to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear a hat, other protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

To prevent from developing a rash or other skin problems, use a mild alcohol-free moisturizer, wash your skin with mild soap, and remove cosmetics with a mild cleanser.