erlotinib
Other Name: Tarceva®
- Tell your doctor if you have or had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have or had:
- liver or kidney problems,
- stomach ulcers,
- cataracts or if you wear contact lenses,
- if you smoke tobacco,
- or if you have any allergies.
- This drug contains a small amount of lactose. If you cannot tolerate lactose, talk to your doctor.
- People with cancer have a higher risk of getting other cancers or developing blood clots. Some cancer medications may increase these risks, especially if used for a long period of time. Discuss any concerns about this medication with your health care team.
- The use of this medication in men or women may cause harm to the unborn baby if pregnancy occurs. Let your health care team know if you or your partner is pregnant, becomes pregnant during treatment, or if you are breastfeeding
- If there is ANY chance that you or your partner may become pregnant, you and your partner together must: ►Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while taking this drug: Keep using birth control until at least 2 weeks after the last dose. Discuss with your healthcare team.
- Do not breastfeed while taking this drug and for at least 2 weeks after the last dose.
- This medication is unlikely to affect fertility (ability to get pregnant)
- Erlotinib is taken by mouth once a day, at the same time daily.
- Swallow whole with a glass of water on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food or other medications.
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Do not eat or drink grapefruit, starfruit, Seville oranges or their juices (or products that contain these) while on this treatment. They may increase side effects.
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This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
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Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
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For mild aches and pain or fever:
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
- You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets. Ask your health care team about the right dose for you.
- Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), including low dose aspirin for heart conditions, may increase your chance of bleeding. Talk to your health care team before you start or stop these medications.
- Talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room right away if you have a fever. See the Fever pamphlet for more information.
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
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Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.
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Keep this medication in the original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and light. Keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.
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Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.
You may not have all of the side effects below. You may have side effects that are not listed.
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Rash; dry, itchy skin Rash may be severe in some rare cases and cause your skin to blister or peel. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away. To prevent and treat dry skin,
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Diarrhea (may be severe) May happen days to weeks after you get your treatment. If you have diarrhea :
See the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Low appetite
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Fatigue (tiredness)
See our Fatigue pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
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Cough; feeling short of breath You may have cough and feel short of breath without any signs of infection, such as a sore throat or a stuffed nose. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Nausea and vomiting (generally mild) May occur in hours to days after your treatment. If you have nausea or vomiting:
Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your healthcare team if no improvement or if severe |
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Fever, chills, infection You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
While you are getting chemotherapy treatments:
If you have a fever, talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room. |
Get emergency medical help right away | ||||
Mouth sores You may have round, painful, white or gray sores inside your mouth. They can occur on the tongue, lips, gums, or inside your cheeks. In more severe cases they may make it hard swallow, eat or to brush your teeth. They usually last 1 to 2 weeks. To help prevent mouth sores:
If you have mouth sores:
See the Mouth Care pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team as soon as possible | ||||
Nail changes You may have changes in nail colour, pain or tenderness in the nailbed, swelling of cuticles, or loosening of nails.
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Eye problems
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Contact your health care team as soon as possible | ||||
Pains or cramps in the belly
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Unusual bleeding or bruising You may have black stools, cough up blood, blood in your urine, purple or red dots on your skin or bleeding that will not stop.
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Get emergency medical help right away |
Other rare, but serious side effects are possible.
If you experience ANY of the following, speak to your cancer health care provider or get emergency medical help right away:
- sudden, unusual changes in your vision
- signs of liver problems such as yellowish skin or eyes, unusually dark pee or pain on the right side of your belly
- pain, swelling and hardening of the vein in an arm or leg
- severe stomach pain, vomiting blood or what looks like coffee-grounds or pass stool with bright red blood or black/tarry coloured stool
- trouble breathing, chest pain or coughing up blood
- severe muscle pain or weakness and dark pee
- signs of kidney problems such as lower back pain, swelling, pee less than usual and have unusual weight gain
- severe skin reaction on areas exposed to the sun, especially where you have had radiation treatment
Who do I contact if I have questions or need help?My cancer health care provider is: ______________________________________________ During the day I should contact:________________________________________________ Evenings, weekends and holidays:______________________________________________
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Other Notes:
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October 2022 Updated info sheet
For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.