What is Tarceva used for?   

Tarceva is used to treat patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC):

·        that is only in the lung (local), or spread through the body (metastatic), and

·        who have failed at least one other chemotherapy treatment (medicine used to kill cancer cells) .

Special Warning(s) with Tarceva:    

• Some patients taking Tarceva have developed interstitial lung disease (ILD). ILD is a serious and life-threatening lung disease. The symptoms of ILD are the sudden onset or worsening of trouble breathing (shortness of breath) and dry cough. 
• Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not take Tarceva.  Women of child-bearing age should avoid becoming pregnant while taking Tarceva.  Effective birth control should be used during Tarceva therapy and for two weeks after stopping Tarceva.

General Precautions with Tarceva:

Patients on Tarceva therapy and taking warfarin (Coumadin^®) or other medicines called "anti-coagulants" should have regular blood tests and watch for bleeding problems.

What should I tell my health care provider?

Tell your health care provider if you:

•  have liver problems.  Tarceva may cause liver damage called hepatotoxicity.   

• have or had bleeding problems of the stomach or intestines such as ulcers   

• are pregnant, are trying to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list and show it to your doctor and pharmacist each time you get a new medicine.  Do not take any new medicines without talking to your doctor.

What are some possible side effects of Tarceva? (This list is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Tarceva.  Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.) 

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• severe or non-stop diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, or vomiting
• new or worse trouble breathing or cough
• eye irritation

Some common side effects with Tarceva include:

• rash
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• tiredness
• shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• cough
• nausea
• infection
• vomiting
• inflammation of the mouth
• itching
• dry skin
• eye problems
• stomach area (abdomen) pain

For more detailed information about Tarceva, ask your health care provider or pharmacist.

Link to Tarceva's label

Back to Drug Index

Posted 1/31/05

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