Erlotinib Tarceva Dosage & Uses, Side Effects and Treatment Medication

1. Erlotinib Tarceva Dosage & Uses, Side Effects and Treatment Medication Erlotinib (brand: Tarceva) is a medication that is generally prescribed for the treatment of: •Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body •Advanced Stage Pancreatic Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body along with another medication: Gemcitabine Erlotinib Mechanism of Action Erlotinib belongs to a class of anti-cancer medications known as tyrosine kinase inhibitor or TKIs. It works by blocking a kind of protein known as epidermal growth factor receptors or EFGR that enables the growth of the cancer cells. Erlotinib is thus used for the treatment of EGFR positive cancers by stopping its growth or sometimes shrinking it. Erlotinib / Tarceva cost information Side Effects of Erlotinib / Tarceva

2. If you experience any of the following side effects during your treatment with erlotinib, contact your doctor immediately. Not all the side effects of erlotinib may be mentioned here. •Bleeding in the nose, stomach and/or bowels •Vision problems •Liver damage •Abnormality in hair growth •Swelling around fingernails Some of the more common side effects include: •Numb toes and/or fingers •Losing hair •Feeling tired and/or fatigue •Constant headaches •Shortness of breath and/or continuous coughing •Changes in liver functions •Diarrhea •Loss of appetite •Feeling sick •Depression Key Information about Erlotinib (Tarceva) Immunisations During your treatment with erlotinib and for at least a year after, do not receive live vaccinations. The duration for which you should avoid taking live vaccines depends on the treatment cycle. Your treatment cycle depends upon various factors and is decided by your doctor. Try to avoid coming in contact with people who have recently received a vaccine. Erlotinib / Tarceva Interactions with other medications

3. Certain medications can interact with erlotinib and alter its effectiveness or even cause unwanted side effects. Inform your doctor about all the medications that you are taking. Other types of medications to avoid include any over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal supplements. Surgery If you have a surgery or other types of treatments scheduled, it is important to inform your doctor or surgeon in advance that you are taking erlotinib. Pregnancy Erlotinib can harm the unborn baby, it is important to take effective birth control during your treatment with erlotinib and for at least 2 weeks after the last dose. Erlotinib can also pass through breast milk and cause harm to the nursing baby. It is important to not breast-feed during your treatment with this medication. Fertility Taking erlotinib can also affect fertility in the patient. Frequently Asked Questions about Erlotinib / Tarceva Medicine What are the different dosages of Erlotinib / Tarceva? The following are the doses of the Generic Erlotinib and Brand Tarceva •Erlotinib 25 mg •Erlotinib 100 mg •Tarceva 100 mg •Erlotinib 150 mg •Tarceva 150 mg How do I take Erlotinib / Tarceva tablet? Erlotinib (Tarceva) tablet is generally taken once in a day by swallowing it whole water.

4. It is important to take this medication at least an hour before or 2 hours after a meal. The amount of drug that goes into your blood stream is directly related to whether you have an empty or full stomach at the time of taking the Erlotinib tablet. When should I stop taking this medication? Erlotinib tablets are meant to be taken at regular intervals of time (as determined by your doctor). Do not stop taking this medication before your treatment cycle ends without the knowledge and consent of your doctor. Take the tablet in the exact dosage as directed. Do I require medical tests while taking this tablet? Your doctor would require you to take frequent blood tests during and after your treatment ends. The purpose of such tests is to check for the substances in your blood and the level of blood cells. Blood tests also check for your kidney and liver functions.