Managing Tarceva Side Effects
Video:
Side Effect Management
Medications can cause side effects. Rash and diarrhea are the most common for patients taking Tarceva (erlotinib). For most patients, these symptoms are usually mild to moderate and can be managed.
Rash and diarrhea were the most common side effects associated with Tarceva (erlotinib). They were generally mild to moderate. In a large clinical study, 66% of the patients receiving Tarceva experienced mild-to-moderate rash, while 48% of patients had mild-to-moderate diarrhea. In the NSCLC study, severe rash and diarrhea occurred in 9% and 6% of patients, respectively.
You may also have other changes in your skin. Your doctor may adjust the amount of Tarceva you are taking if you develop a rash.
In a large clinical study, Tarceva did not have some of the side effects of traditional chemotherapy, such as a low number of infection-fighting white blood cells. Tarceva was also less likely to be associated with total hair loss.
Let your doctor or nurse know if you experience side effects.
| Side effect | Self-help tips |
Rash and other skin changes. Soon after you start taking Tarceva, a rash may appear-most often on your upper body or head. It may look like acne or dry skin. This is a common reaction to Tarceva. Your doctor may prescribe drugs to help treat the rash or dry skin. If you get a rash with Tarceva, do not stop taking Tarceva unless your doctor tells you to do so. |
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Diarrhea. This is most likely to occur within the first week or two of Tarceva treatment. As directed by your doctor, diarrhea may be treated with over-the-counter antidiarrhea products. Ask your doctor which product may be right for you. If your diarrhea worsens or persists, tell your doctor. |
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Call your doctor right away if you have these signs and symptoms:
- Severe or persistent diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite or vomiting
- Onset or worsening of unexplained shortness of breath or cough
- Eye irritation
- Rash or other changes in your skin
Some rare, but possibly serious side effects may occur with Tarceva.
In large clinical studies, there were infrequent reports of lung injuries similar to Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) in patients receiving Tarceva for the treatment of NSCLC or other advanced solid tumors. Reports of these ILD-like lung injuries have been serious and have included deaths in some patients. In patients receiving Tarceva for advanced NSCLC in a large clinical study, the incidence of ILD-like events was approximately 0.8%. No difference was seen in the number of patients with ILD who took Tarceva, compared with patients on sugar pills.
Tarceva may cause harm to an unborn baby or may cause possible risk of pregnancy loss. Women should avoid becoming pregnant and avoid breastfeeding while taking Tarceva.
Tarceva may cause liver problems. Let your doctor know if you have a history of liver disease.
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