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Erlotinib ( er-LOE-tih-nib ) (Tarceva®) What is this medication used for? Erlotinib (which belongs to the class of medications called kinase inhibitors) blocks the action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps slow or stop the spread of cancer cells.
• If taking antacids (medications for heartburn), take them several hours before or several hours after taking erlotinib. • Avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking erlotinib. They can lessen erlotinib’s effectiveness. • Recommendations to prevent diarrhea that may be caused by erlotinib including drinking small sips of a liquid such as a sugar-free sports drink often throughout the day, eating mild foods such as crackers and toast, and avoiding spicy foods. • If a rash develops, it may look like pimples (acne). Do not use acne medicine on the rash; this can make the rash worse. • Use mild soap products on skin. • Use alcohol-free moisturizing lotion on the skin every day so it does not get dry. • Use sunscreen (with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher) and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Exposure to sunlight increases the risk that a skin rash will develop during treatment with erlotinib. • Consult your healthcare provider before becoming pregnant, fathering a child, or breastfeeding. It may be important to use birth control while taking this medicine and for several months after treatment is completed.
What does it look like? • Tablet How is it given? • By mouth (oral or po) What are the common side effects? • Diarrhea • Rash • Itching (pruritis), dry skin, or redness around fingernails • Decreased appetite (anorexia) • Nausea or vomiting • Extreme tiredness (fatigue) • Cough • Shortness of breath • Chest pain What are the less common side effects? • Increased risk of infection • Constipation • Stomach (abdominal) pain • Mouth sores • Hair loss (alopecia) • Depression Special instructions: • Gloves should be worn when handling this medication. • Take erlotinib on an empty stomach once a day, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating a meal or snack. Taking erlotinib with food may make a rash worse. • Take erlotinib around the same time every day.
Notes from Your Healthcare Team
Not all of the possible side effects of this medicine and precautions related to taking it are covered in this information sheet. For a complete list of side effects and precautions, ask your healthcare professional (doctor, nurse, pharmacist) for a manufacturer’s package insert or another reference.
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