Rash Management Tips
The Facts About Rash and Tarceva
Watch as a nurse practitioner gives you the facts about rash and Tarceva
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Skin care
It is important that you take care of your skin. This is especially true when you take medicines, including Tarceva, that work by blocking EGFR. Skin rash is a common side effect of these medicines. Skin rash commonly appears about 1 to 2 weeks after starting Tarceva and is usually mild to moderate. Severe rash has occurred in some people. You may also notice other skin changes. These include itching, dry skin, or redness around the fingernails.
This section can help you learn how to take care of your skin every day.
Follow these three steps to take care of your skin every day:
- Clean your skin gently.
Use mild soap products such as Cetaphil®, Dove®, or Vanicream™.*
- Moisturize your skin so it does not get dry.
Use alcohol-free moisturizing products such as Aquaphor®, Eucerin®, or Vanicream™.*
For your hands, feet, and nails, use lotion products such as AmLactin®, Aquaphor®, Carmol® 10, or Eucerin®.*
- Protect your skin from damage.
Stay out of the sun as much as you can.
When you are outside, use sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher and always wear a hat. Use sunscreen products that contain titanium dioxide, such as Vanicream™.*
If you wear makeup, ask your healthcare provider (HCP) what kind is best for you.
If you do get a rash, there may be a number of ways you can manage it. Below, you will learn how to work with your HCP to treat the rash.
What to do if you get a rash
Rash is a common side effect of Tarceva. If you get a rash, it may be upsetting. But do not stop taking Tarceva unless your HCP tells you to stop. Call your HCP and let him or her know. Your HCP may:
- Prescribe or recommend products to manage the rash.
- Decrease the amount of Tarceva you take, tell you not to take it for a short time, or tell you to stop taking it completely.
Important: The rash may look like acne (pimples), but it isn't. Do not use any kind of acne medicine, including products with benzoyl peroxide. This can make the rash worse.
Tips for treating the rash
- Clean gently, moisturize, and protect your skin. Review the skin care steps above.
- Do not scratch the rash. For itchy skin, you may use Regencare® gel, Sarna® Ultra Cream, or other products recommended by your HCP.*
- Do not take Tarceva with food. This may make the rash worse. See the About Tarceva section of this website for more information about how to take Tarceva.
Talking points for you and your HCP
Skin rash is a common side effect of Tarceva. It commonly appears about 1-2 weeks after starting Tarceva and is usually mild to moderate. Severe rash has occurred in some people. If you experience side effects, please call your HCP. This section can help you describe your rash to your HCP.
*Brands are trademarks of their respective owners. Neither Genentech nor Astellas endorses any listed brand. Information provided should not replace the advice of your HCP.
Tarceva is prescribed for patients with advanced-stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) whose cancer has not spread or grown after initial treatment with certain types of chemotherapy (maintenance treatment).
Tarceva is prescribed for patients with advanced-stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) whose cancer has spread or grown after receiving at least 1 chemotherapy regimen. (2nd/3rd-line treatment).
Tarceva is not meant to be used at the same time as certain types of chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC.
There have been reports of serious adverse events involving the lungs in a small number of patients taking Tarceva. These events have included death in some patients. The medical name for these types of events is interstitial (in-tur-STISH-ul) lung disease-like events (or ILD-like events).
Liver and/or kidney problems (including deaths) have been reported in some patients taking Tarceva. Let your healthcare provider (HCP) know if you have a history of liver or kidney disease.
Some patients taking Tarceva have developed a hole in the lining of their stomach or intestines (including deaths). It may happen more in patients who are taking certain other medicines or who have had certain stomach or intestinal diseases.
Some patients taking Tarceva have developed serious skin conditions. Some patients have died from these conditions.
Some patients taking Tarceva have developed eye irritation and damage to the cornea. The cornea is the clear part of the eyeball that covers the colored part of the eye and the pupil. Other eye problems such as abnormal eyelash growth, dry eyes, or changes in eyesight have also been reported. Patients should tell their HCP about eye problems that get worse, including eye pain.
Women should not become pregnant while on treatment with Tarceva. If you are already pregnant or become pregnant while taking Tarceva, you should talk with your HCP about the benefits and risks of continuing to take Tarceva. DO NOT breast-feed while receiving treatment with Tarceva.
Call your HCP right away if you have these signs or symptoms:
- New or worsening skin rash
- Serious or ongoing diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, or vomiting
- New or worsening shortness of breath or cough
- Eye irritation
Some patients taking Tarceva have experienced difficulty with blood clotting, and bleeding events, including gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients taking blood thinners (Coumadin®, warfarin, or other coumarin derivatives) should be monitored regularly.
Certain medicines and herbal supplements can affect how Tarceva works in the body. It is important that you tell your HCP about all of the medicines and herbal supplements you are taking. DO NOT start taking any new medicines or herbal supplements before talking with your HCP. Tarceva may also affect other medications you are taking.
In addition, grapefruit and grapefruit juice have an effect on how Tarceva works. DO NOT eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while on treatment with Tarceva, except under the care of your HCP.
Smoking may affect how well Tarceva works for you. If you smoke, you should stop smoking before starting treatment with Tarceva. Talk with your HCP about how to quit smoking. If you continue to smoke, you should talk to your HCP before taking Tarceva.
The most common side effects in patients who took Tarceva were generally mild to moderate rash and diarrhea. You may also have other changes in your skin.
The rash from Tarceva therapy may appear on your upper body or face. Typically, rash occurs within 8 days of starting treatment, but it may occur anytime during treatment with Tarceva.
The rash is not an allergic reaction. It may look like acne or dry skin. It is not acne. Talk to your HCP if a rash occurs.
Typically, diarrhea may develop within 12 days of starting Tarceva.
Hair and nail changes have been seen with Tarceva.
Always let your HCP know if you have any side effects, and ask about the best way to handle them.
Tarceva is not right for everyone. Ask your HCP if once-daily Tarceva is right for you.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1 (800) FDA-1088.
