All You Need to Know About Erlotinib

3 May, 21

0

What You Should Know About NSCLC?

Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lung grow abnormally out of control and form tumors

Lung cancer includes two main types

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Small cell lung cancer

80% - 85% of lung cancers are NSCLC

What is Erlotinib?

Used to treat NSCLC by preventing the activity of EGFR, a protein involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Indication

EGFR positive metastatic NSCLC
Metastatic pancreatic cancer

Before Taking Erlotinib

Inform Your Doctor About Medications You are Taking

History of eye inflammation

Do not take Erlotinib, If you are allergic to Erlotinib.

All About Your Medical Conditions, Including

Liver disease

Not recommended in severe liver disease

Kidney disease

Not recommended in severe kidney disease

Hypersensitivity

If you have an intolerance to some sugars, such as lactose.

Other Conditions

Smoking

It is advised to stop smoking if you are treated with Erlotinib

Driving and using machines
Children and adolescents

Erlotinib is not recommended for children and adolescents.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Do not breast-feed if you are being treated with Erlotinib, and for at least 2 weeks after taking the last tablet.

Erlotinib with food and drink

Do not take Erlotinib with food

During Erlotinib Therapy

Inform Your Doctor If You Experience

Sudden difficulty in breathing with cough
Fever
Persistent diarrhea and loss of appetite
Nausea or Vomiting
Severe pain in the abdomen
Redness and pain in the eye
Severe blistering or peeling of skin

Taking Erlotinib

Always take erlotinib exactly as directed by your doctor

At least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food.

The usual dose is:

For NSCLC

1 Tablet - 150 mg OD

For Pancreatic Cancer

1 Tablet- 100 mg OD

If you take more Erlotinib than needed, contact your doctor immediately.
If you miss one or more doses contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Its important to take daily dose as prescribe by the Doctor

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Erlotinib?

Like all medicines, this can also cause some side effects in few people. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of the below side effects.

Rash which worsens in sun exposed areas
Altered skin sensation or numbness
Decreased weight
Loss of appetite
Depression and Headache
Severe or persistent diarrheoa
Difficulty in breathing
Nausea
Mouth irritation
Stomach pain indigestion and flatulence
Itching and dry skin
Loss of hair

How to Store Erlotinib?

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date written on the blister and carton.

To report any side-effects, write to drugsafety@cipla.com . You can also report side effects directly via the national pharmacovigilance program of India by calling on 1800 180 3024 or you can report to Cipla Ltd on 1800 267 7779. By reporting side-effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this product.