Erlotinib Tarceva Dosage & Uses, Side Effects and Treatment Medication

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Erlotinib Tarceva Dosage Uses, Side Effects
and Treatment Medication
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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
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Erlotinib Mechanism of Action Erlotinib is
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
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Side Effects of Erlotinib / Tarceva

• 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

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• 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

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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.

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• Interaction with other medications
• 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.

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• 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 the 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take Erlotinib / Tarceva
tablet? Erlotinib (Tarceva) tablet is generally
taken once in a day by swallowing it whole
water. 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.
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• 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.

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