Erlotinib

What is Erlotinib?

Erlotinib is used for treating certain types of non-small cell lung cancer that spreads to nearby tissues or other parts of body.

This mainly happens in patients who have already been treated with at least one other chemotherapy medicine and whose condition has not got better.

It is also used in combination with another medicine to treat pancreatic cancer that has spread to nearby tissues or other parts of body.

Doctors prescribe Erlonat tablets to treat pancreatic cancer that cannot be treated with surgery.

Erlotinib is available in market under brand name Tarceva. This medicine is considered as most effective non-small cell lung cancer treatment.

To purchase Erlotinib from a licensed online pharmacy, it is important to have a valid prescription from a doctor.

You can save on erlotinib price, by availing exciting deals and discounts available on licensed drugstores.

How does Erlotinib work?

Erlotinib is an anti-cancer medicine that belongs to a class of drugs called kinase inhibitors.

Epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) are expressed on lung cancer cell surfaces which modulate their growth.

This medication works by binding chemical messenger, EGFR, reducing cancer signaling pathways mediated by EGFR. 

In this way, it restricts further growth of cancer cells.

What are uses of Erlotinib?

Erlotinib is mainly prescribed for treating two medical conditions:

• Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in some adults
• Gemcitabine in conjunction with advanced, incurable, or metastatic pancreatic cancer.

How to use Erlotinib?

Before you start treatment with Erlotinib, carefully read patient information leaflet provided with medicine itself.

If there is any doubt about this medication or its dosage then discuss it with doctor.

Take this medicine by mouth on an empty stomach almost 1 hour before or 2 hours after having a meal, mainly once a day.

Based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medicines you take, dosage of Erlotinib will be prescribed.

Medicines that reduce stomach acid like antacids might prevent erlotinib from working effectively in body.

It is suggested to ask your doctor or pharmacist about using these medicines safely along with Erlotinib.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice when taking this drug unless your doctor says you can take it safely.

Intake of grapefruit with this medicine might increase your chance of experiencing serious side effects. Ask a doctor for more details.

Use this medicine on a regular basis to attain maximum benefits from it. To help you remember, take Erlotinib regularly at same time.

Do not increase your dose or use this medicine more often or for a longer time than directed by a doctor.

Increasing dosage of Erlotinib will not improve your condition faster, instead increases risk of experiencing serious side effects.

Since this medicine might get absorbed through lungs & skin and can harm an unborn baby.

Women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant must not handle this medicine strictly.

Smoking might lower the levels of Tarceva in your body and affect how well this medicine works to treat cancer.

If you smoke then let your doctor know as you might require to take a high dose of Erlotinib and monitored closely.

Women need to use effective birth control methods when taking Erlotinib and for at least 1 month after last dose.

• Missed dose

As soon as you remember, take the missed dose in the event that you have missed it. But skip missed dose, if it's already time for next dosage.

Continue taking your next dosage at regular time and never double the dose to catch up on missed one.

• Overdose

If you have overdosed and experience severe symptoms like trouble breathing or passing out then call a doctor immediately.

Precautions and warnings for Erlotinib

Before taking an Erlotinib tablet, inform your doctor if you are allergic to it or have any other kind of allergies.

This medicine might contain some inactive ingredients which can cause you allergic reactions or problems.

It is suggested to inform doctor about your medical history before starting treatment with this medicine, especially for:

• Stomach/intestinal diseases like diverticulosis, ulcers
• Liver disorder
• Kidney disease
• Heart problems
• Lung disorders

Before undergoing any surgery, let your doctor know before only about using Erlotinib tablets.

This medicine can cause stomach bleeding. Daily alcohol consumption during treatment can increase risk of experiencing stomach bleeding.

It is important to limit your intake of alcoholic beverages to avoid problems.

Sunlight can worsen skin reactions which might occur when you take this medicine. Limit your exposure to sun.

It is still unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Due to possible risks to infants, breastfeeding is not suggested.

Breastfeeding should be avoided when using Erlotinib and for 2 weeks after your last dose of this drug.

You need to know that Erlotinib can cause rashes and certain skin problems.

To protect your skin, it is necessary to use a mild alcohol-free moisturizer and wash skin with mild soap.

Side effects of Erlotinib

How often and how serious side effects are might differ from person to person. They depend on what other treatments you are having.

Dry skin, diarrhea, mouth sores, muscle/joint pain, unusual eyelash growth, eye dryness/redness/irritation might occur.

Diarrhea might be serious. In some cases, doctors even recommend medicine to relieve diarrhea.

If any of these Erlotinib side effects last or get worse then contact your doctor promptly.

Remember this medicine has been recommended because your doctor thinks its benefits are greater than risk of side effects.

Several people using this lung cancer drug tarceva do not experience any severe side effects.

Let your doctor know, if you have any serious side effects of Erlotinib like:

• Signs of kidney disorders
• Signs of liver diseases
• Unusual tiredness
• Signs of dehydration
• Redness/swelling around nails
• Vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Black stools
• Vision changes
• Eye pain

Erlotinib might commonly cause a mild rash that is generally not severe. Get emergency medical help, if you suffer from allergic reactions.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. You might experience some other side effects apart from ones stated above.

Interactions

Drug interactions might change how your medicines work or even increase risk of experiencing severe side effects.

Do not start, stop, or change dosage of any medications without approval from your doctor.

Some medicines that interact with Erlotinib tablets include drugs that reduce stomach acid like omeprazole.

Aspirin can increase risk of experiencing bleeding when it is used with Erlotinib drug.

Here are some medicines which interact with Erlotinib:

• Antiviral drugs for HIV or AIDS
• Boceprevir
• Conivaptan

Storage

Erlotinib must be stored at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture.

Frequently asked questions about Erlotinib (FAQs)

• Is Erlotinib a chemotherapy medicine?

Erlotinib is not a conventional chemotherapy medication It is a member of the kinase inhibitor drug class.

This medicine works by restricting action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to grow.

In this way, Erlotinib tablet slows down or stops spread of cancer cells.

• How long you can take Erlotinib?

You must take this medicine every day as long as your doctor recommends. Duration of treatment can differ from person to person.

• Does Erlotinib tablet affect your eyes?

Erlotinib usually causes conjunctivitis and dry eyes. If you experience redness & pain in eye, blurred vision or sensitivity to light then inform doctor.