How to Take Tarceva

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Taking Tarceva

Tarceva is a pill you take once a day, every day. It‘s a targeted therapy given in combination with a traditional chemotherapy drug, gemcitabine.

How to take

Tarceva (erlotinib) is a pill you take once a day. The recommended dose for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer is 100 mg a day.

• Take Tarceva every day as prescribed by your doctor.

• Take Tarceva at the same time each day. It's important to take Tarceva at least one hour before or two hours after eating. Taking Tarceva with food may increase your chance of developing side effects.
• If you miss a day, take your normal amount the next day. Do not double your daily prescribed dose of Tarceva. Let your doctor know if you miss a dose of Tarceva.
• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking Tarceva, as they may affect how well Tarceva works.
• Taking other medications with Tarceva may affect how well Tarceva works. So, tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking any other medications and supplements, including vitamins and herbal products.
• Follow your doctor's instructions on how to take Tarceva.
• Do not stop taking Tarceva unless your doctor tells you to do so.