Tarceva ratings & reviews

Tarceva contains the active ingredient erlotinib as the hydrochloride salt, which is part of the kinase inhibitor drug class. It comes in tablet form for oral administration with dosage strengths of 25 mg, 100 mg, and 150 mg. Key inactive ingredients include hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose monohydrate, and magnesium stearate. Tarceva is intended to interact with pathways that involve kinase activity, which are commonly targeted in cancer treatments.

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Take it on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.

Do not take this medication with grapefruit juice.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, take the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Dry cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Eye pain, redness, irritation, or discharge with blurry or decreased vision
• Hemolytic anemia—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing, dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes
• Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• Stomach pain that is severe, does not go away, or gets worse
• Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
• Unusual bruising or bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Diarrhea
• Dry skin
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Dehydration
• Eye disease
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Lung or breathing disease, such as asthma or COPD
• Stomach or intestine problems
• Vision problems
• An unusual or allergic reaction to erlotinib, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

What may interact with this medication?

• Certain antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin
• Certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis, such as boceprevir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir
• Certain medications for fungal infections, such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole
• Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
• Certain medications for stomach problems, such as cimetidine, famotidine, omeprazole, lansoprazole
• Certain medications for tuberculosis, such as rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine
• Certain medications that prevent or treat blood clots, such as warfarin
• Conivaptan
• Grapefruit juice
• Nefazodone
• St. John's wort
• Teriflunomide

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

You may need blood work while taking this medication.

This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. You may also notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Tell your care team right away if you have any change in your eyesight.

Check with your care team if you have severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, or if you sweat a lot. The loss of too much body fluid may make it dangerous for you to take this medication.

If you smoke, tell your care team if you notice this medication is not working well for you. Talk to your care team if you decide to stop smoking.

Talk to your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy or for 1 month after the last dose. A reliable form of contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 1 month after the last dose. Talk to your care team about reliable forms of contraception.

Do not breast-feed while taking this medication and for 2 weeks after the last dose.