Manufacturer: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Salt Composition : Erlotinib(150mg)
Erleva 150mg Tablet should be taken on an empty stomach or should be taken one hour before or 2 hour after meal. You should continue to take it as long as your doctor advises it. The duration of treatment varies according to your needs and response to treatment. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, rash, and weight loss. It may cause severe diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids or consult with your doctor if it bothers you. It makes you sensitive towards sunlight, hence wear protective clothing or use sunscreen while going out. In case you develop ulceration in mouth, changes in your vision, or breathing difficulties than it is better to inform the doctor. Your doctor may advise for regular monitoring of liver function while you are taking this medicine.
Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy. It is advised to quit smoking while taking this medicine as it can affect the working of the medicine. If you have to take an antacid or any other medicine, take it at a gap of at least 2 hours after taking the cancer medicine.
Erleva 150mg Tablet is an anti-cancer medication. Epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) are expressed on the lung cancer cell surfaces that modulate their growth. This medicine works by binding the chemical messenger, EGFR, hence, inhibits the cancer signaling pathways mediated by EGFR. This is how it restricts further growth of the cancer cells.
Erlotinib Pharmacokinetics
Metabolism produced several metabolites, including the active metabolite O-desmethyl erlotinib (OSI-420), and elimination occurs primarily via biliary excretion (63% feces vs. 13% urine).
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Erleva
Abdominal pain
Bone pain
Breathlessness
Constipation
Cough
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Fever
Infection
Muscle pain
Nausea
Rash
Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
Vomiting
Weight loss
Chronic lung disease (CLD), pneumonitis, pulmonary disease. ...
Biliary obstruction, hepatic disease, hepatotoxicity. ...
Keratitis, ocular disease. ...
Corticosteroid therapy, diverticulitis, GI perforation, peptic ulcer disease. ...
Tobacco smoking.
Erleva 150mg Tablet is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Erleva 150mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
Erleva 150mg Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Erlotinib is a medication used in the management and treatment of some types of non-small cell lung cancer and advanced pancreatic cancer. It is in the tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor class of medications. The FDA originally approved erlotinib for the treatment of NSCLC in November 2004.
Drug-Drug Interaction: ERLOTINIB is known to interact with blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin), anti-hypertensive medicines (amlodipine, metoprolol, nifedipine), heart medicines (quinidine, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin), immuno-suppressants (cyclosporine), antibiotics (erythromycin, telithromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin, ciprofloxacin), anti-fungal medicines (itraconazole, voriconazole, ketoconazole), mental illness medicines (triazolam, alprazolam, estazolam, primidone, phenobarbital, phenytoin, phenytoin, carbamazepine), anti-HIV medicines (saquinavir, ritonavir), erectile dysfunction medicine (sildenafil), antiulcer (omeprazole, ranitidine).
Drug-Food Interaction: ERLOTINIB is known to interact with alcohol, St. John's wort plant (a natural remedy to treat depression), and grapefruit.
Drug-Disease Interaction: ERLOTINIB is known to interact in patients with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), cardiovascular disease, bone marrow suppression, liver or kidney disease, fluid retention, gastrointestinal disorders, stomach ulcer or bleeding, high blood pressure, diabetes, and chemotherapy.
Do not chew, crush or break it. Erleva 150mg Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.
Store below 30°C
If you miss a dose of Erleva 150mg Tablet, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Erleva 150mg Tablet helps treat non-small cell lung cancer that is locally advanced, or has spread to other areas of the body.
It should be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after the meal.
Diarrhea may occur as a side effect. Drink plenty of fluids and inform your doctor if it doesn't stop or if you find blood in your stools.
Use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine and for a month after you stop taking it.
It makes your skin sensitive towards sunlight. Apply sunscreen or wear protective clothing while going out.
It is advisable to avoid smoking while taking this medicine, as it makes the drug ineffective and requires dose adjustment.
Do not take it with medication lowering the stomach acid (such as antacids, H2 blockers including ranitidine), as it may affect the working of medicine.
Inform your doctor if you develop ulceration in your mouth, changes in your vision or if you experience a worsening cough, shortness of breath, or breathing difficulties while taking this medicine.
Your doctor may want you to have regular blood tests to monitor your liver function while you are having treatment with this medicine.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Erleva 150mg Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.
Q. How should Erleva 150mg Tablet be taken?
Erleva 150mg Tablet is a pill to be taken by mouth, once a day without food as prescribed by your doctor. It is important that you take Erleva 150mg Tablet empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 house after meals. It is advisable to take it the same time each day so that you remember when to take it.
Q. Is Erleva 150mg Tablet a chemotherapy drug?
Erleva 150mg Tablet is not a conventional chemotherapy medicine. Erleva 150mg Tablet belongs to a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This in turn helps to slow or stop the spread of cancer cells.
Q. How long can I take Erleva 150mg Tablet?
You need to take Erleva 150mg Tablet every day, as long as your doctor prescribes it for you. The duration of treatment may vary from person to person.
Q. Does smoking interfere with Erleva 150mg Tablet?
Yes, smoking can interfere with the working of Erleva 150mg Tablet. It can decrease the effectiveness of the medicine to a great extent. Hence, it is advised to stop smoking before you start Erleva 150mg Tablet. Your doctor will need to adjust the dose of Erleva 150mg Tablet, if you keep on smoking or there is a change in the pattern of smoking.
