Tarceva (Erlotinib)

What is Tarceva?

Tarceva is also known as Erlotinib, and belongs to the class of drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It is a cancer medication.

What is Tarceva used for?

Non-small cell lung cancer can be treated by the usage of Tarceva. It may also combat pancreatic cancer, when combined with gemcitabine.

How does Tarceva work?

Tarceva attaches itself to EGFRs (epidermal growth factor receptors), and then hinders the growth of cancer cells in the body, thus, reducing their rate of expansion.

How to use Tarceva

Tarceva should be taken either 1 hour before a meal, or after two hours. This drug should be consumed once a day, with a full glass of water. This is because; it is recommended that the food should not interact with the drug.

If one wants to get the most benefit out of it, then, he or she must take the drug regularly. Regular visits to the doctor should also be not missed by the patient. The dosage may have to be changed, after assessing the affects of Tarceva on the health of the patient.

Tarceva warnings and precautions

The Tarceva pills should always be taken on an empty stomach.

Before using Tarceva, share your medical history with your doctor, especially if you have any kind of liver, kidney or heart diseases. Also, inform him about any breathing problems, if suffered, earlier.

While, patients are taking Tarceva tablets, they should always avoid drinking alcohol with it.

Pregnant women should consult their doctors before taking Tarceva tablets. The drug may harm an unborn baby, if consumed by a woman during pregnancy. It is not known whether the drug passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Therefore, lactating women must seek their doctors’ permission before consuming this medicine.

Tarceva is to be stored at normal room temperature and away from heat.

What do I do if I have missed a Tarceva dose?

If you have missed your Tarceva dose you should talk to your doctor about it.

What do I do if I have taken a Tarceva overdose?

If you have taken a Tarceva overdose, you should immediately seek medical consultation, as it can be really dangerous for your health.

Tarceva interactions

Those drugs that inhibit CYP3A4 interact highly with Tarceva and this interaction can result in toxic consequences. Therefore, one should not take both the drugs, concomitantly. These drugs include Sporanox, Biaxin, Norvir, Invirase, Priftin and more.  Consult your doctor before taking these drugs, together.

While consuming this medicine, do not take grapefruit or grapefruit juice. These two will result in interaction and can be dangerous for the patient. Ask your doctor to guide you before consuming grapefruit, or its juice, while you are on Tarceva medication.

Before taking Tarceva, inform your doctor about any other medicines that you are already consuming. These may include minerals, vitamins or herbal products.

Tarceva side effects

After taking this medicine, if any signs of hives, trouble in breathing, or swelling on face and lips are witnessed, immediately consult your doctor. Tarceva may lead to side effects on the lungs. These problems are also known as Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). If one witnesses any itching or skin rash after consuming this medication, a doctor should be consulted for the same.

The drug may show side effects like an allergy in throat, or unusual weakness. It may also lead to pain in the eyes or irritation.

Other side effects of Tarceva are cough, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dry skin or diarrhea.