Tykerb (Lapatinib)

What is Tykerb?

Tykerb (lapatinib) is a cancer medication, which belongs to the class of drugs known as kinase inhibitors.

What is Tykerb used for?

Tykerb is used in the treatment of cancer. It is prescribed along with capecitabine to treat advanced or metastatic breast cancer, especially in patients who have received prior therapy (anthracycline, taxane, trastuzumab) and whose tumors over-express HER2.

How does Tykerb work?

Lapatinib (Tykerb) is a 4-anilinoquinazoline kinase inhibitor which inhibits or completely stops the growth of ErbB-driven tumor cells.

How to use Tykerb

Tykerb should be used in the manner prescribed by a doctor. Taking the drug in larger amounts or for longer period than prescribed may prove to be harmful. The dosage depends on your medical condition and response to treatment. Read instructions given along with product package carefully.

Tykerb should be taken on an empty stomach (at least an hour before or 2 hours after a meal).

The drug is usually prescribed along with capecitabine for a 21-day cycle, during which Tykerb is taken once a day for all 21 days and capecitabine is taken twice a day for the first 14 days only. The cycle is repeated again.

Avoid taking any form of grapefruit while taking this drug.

Do not stop your dose unless otherwise directed by your doctor. However, if your condition does not improve at all or becomes worse consult your doctor immediately.

Tykerb warnings and precautions

Tykerb is not administered to patients who are allergic to lapatinib.

Before taking the medication, inform your doctor about your medical conditions, especially if you have heart disease, liver disease or a family history of “Long QT syndrome”.

Stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor immediately on experiencing side effects such as severe diarrhea, vomiting, uneven heart rate with extreme dizziness and fainting.

Tykerb is harmful to a fetus. Hence pregnant women are advised not to take this medicine. Use effective birth control treatments while taking this drug. However it is not known whether the drug passes through breast milk. Therefore, lactating mothers are advised to discuss the possible risks and benefits of taking the drug with their doctors.

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

If you have missed a Tykerb dose, take it as soon as you remember. If, however, it is almost time for the next dose, the missed dose can be skipped. Do not take a double dose.

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

If you have taken an overdose of Tykerb, seek medical attention immediately.

Tykerb interactions

Some drugs which may interact with Tykerb are: seizure medications, HIV/AIDS medication, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants, antibiotics, cimetidine, rifampin, dexamethasone, rifabutin, St. John’s wort, rifapentine etc.

Other drugs may also interact with this drug.  Hence it is necessary to inform your doctor about all the prescription/non prescription drugs/herbal medicines that you are taking, before using Tykerb.

You should not start taking any new medicine, without consulting your doctor.

Tykerb side effects

Side effects from Tykerb include allergic reactions such as swelling of tongue, face, throat, hives, redness of skin etc. as well as some serious side effects such as extreme dizziness, fainting, uneven heart rate, shortness of breath, nausea, loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, jaundice, clay-colored stool, severe diarrhea, dry cough, white patches or sore on lips or inside mouth.

Mild diarrhea, back pain, insomnia, tiredness, pain or redness in palms of hand and soles of feet, dry skin, stomach upset are some less serious side effects of Tykerb.