Erlotinib is a cancer chemotherapy medication. Erlotinib interferes with the growth of cancer
cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Erlotinib is used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
Erlotinib may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking erlotinib?
Do not use erlotinib without first talking to your doctor if you have
liver disease; or
lung or breathing problems (other than lung cancer).
You may not be able to take erlotinib, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Erlotinib is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that it is known to be harmful to
an unborn baby.
Do not
use erlotinib without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Birth control should be used during treatment
with erlotinib and for at least 2 weeks after treatment completion.
It is not known whether erlotinib passes into breast milk.
Do not
take
erlotinib without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take erlotinib?
Take erlotinib at least one hour before or two hours after eating.
Take each dose of erlotinib with a full glass of water.
It is important to take erlotinib regularly to get the most benefit.
Your doctor may want you to have blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment
with erlotinib to monitor progress and side effects.
Your doctor will determine the correct amount, frequency and duration of treatment with
erlotinib depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you
have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of erlotinib?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of erlotinib.
Where can I get more information about erlotinib?
Your pharmacist has information about erlotinib written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of erlotinib?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects from erlotinib, contact your doctor
immediately:
an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
lung problems (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath,
increased coughing, fever, or chest pain);
severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or
diarrhea; or
eye pain or irritation.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue taking
erlotinib and talk to your doctor if you experience:
mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or diarrhea;
skin rash, dryness, itching, or acne; or
weakness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about erlotinib?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects from erlotinib, contact your doctor
immediately:
an allergic reaction (including difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
lung problems (especially new or worsening difficulty
breathing, shortness of breath, increased coughing, fever, or chest pain);
severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or
diarrhea; or
eye pain or irritation.
What should I avoid while taking erlotinib?
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity during treatment with erlotinib unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
What other drugs will affect erlotinib?
Before taking erlotinib, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of
the following:
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), rifabutin (Mycobutin), or
rifapentine (Priftin);
clarithromycin (Biaxin);
nefazodone;
telithromycin (Ketek);
troleandomycin (TAO);
carbamazepine (Tegretol);
phenobarbital (Luminal);
phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek);
ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), or
voriconazole (Vfend); or
St. John's Wort.
You may not be able to take erlotinib, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with erlotinib. The interaction could lead to adverse
effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase
or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Many other drugs may interact with erlotinib. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking
any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009