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.
Erlostar 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 hydrochloride (Tarceva, OSI-774, CP-358774) is a small molecule, orally active anilinoquinazoline compound that reversibly and selectively binds to the ATP-binding site of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).
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 Erlostar
Abdominal pain
Bone pain
Breathlessness
Constipation
Cough
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Fever
Infection
Muscle pain
Nausea
Rash
Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
Vomiting
Weight loss
If you are suffering from any of the following diseases, you should not take Erlotinib unless your doctor advises you to do so -
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Liver Disease
Kidney Disease
Dehydration
Peptic Ulcer
Lung Disease
Erlostar 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 Erlostar Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
Erlostar Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Use with caution
Below 9years: Contraindicated
Erlotinib is indicated for: The treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with tumors showing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations Label.
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).
Do not chew, crush or break it. Erlostar Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.
Store below 30°C
If you miss a dose of Erlostar Tablet, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Erlostar 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. Erlostar Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.
Q. How should Erlostar Tablet be taken?
Erlostar 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 Erlostar 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 Erlostar Tablet a chemotherapy drug?
Erlostar Tablet is not a conventional chemotherapy medicine. Erlostar 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 Erlostar Tablet?
You need to take Erlostar 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 Erlostar Tablet?
Yes, smoking can interfere with the working of Erlostar Tablet. It can decrease the effectiveness of the medicine to a great extent. Hence, it is advised to stop smoking before you start Erlostar Tablet. Your doctor will need to adjust the dose of Erlostar Tablet, if you keep on smoking or there is a change in the pattern of smoking.
Q. What should I do if I get a rash while taking Erlostar Tablet?
Rash is a common side effect of Erlostar Tablet but you should not stop taking Erlostar Tablet because of this. Consult your doctor who will suggest a treatment for it. Also, avoid sun-exposure, use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing.
Q. When can I plan pregnancy, if I am taking Erlostar Tablet?
Avoid pregnancy while being treated with Erlostar Tablet. If you are a woman of child-bearing age use effective contraception during treatment. Avoid pregnancy for at least 1 month after taking the last tablet.
Q. Does Erlostar Tablet affect eyes?
Erlostar Tablet commonly causes conjunctivitis and dry eyes. If you develop acute or worsening redness and pain in the eye, increased eye-watering, blurred vision and/or sensitivity to light, immediately inform the doctor as you may need urgent treatment.
Q. When should I call my doctor during treatment with Erlostar Tablet?
Inform the doctor if you experience sudden difficulty in breathing associated with cough or fever, severe or ongoing diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Also, consult your doctor if you experience acute or worsening redness and pain in the eye, increased eye-watering, blurred vision and/or sensitivity to light. Let your doctor know in case you are taking a statin (medicine to control cholesterol) along with this medicine and experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or cramps.
