Erlotinib is a chemotherapy medication used to treat non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. According to Drugs.com, it slows the growth of cancer cells and prevents its metastasis (spread). The National Library of Medicine states that erlotinib's recommended dosage is 150mg. Take erlotinib as your doctor recommends.
Common Side Effects
According to MedlinePlus, erlotinib causes such common side effects as nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, hair loss and headache. It can also cause diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, weight loss, fatigue, swelling of the extremities and darkening of the skin.
Harmful Side Effects
Drugs.com says that erlotinib can cause such serious side effects as fever, chest pain, coughing, eye pain and continuous nausea or vomiting. Other harmful side effects include blistering and peeling skin, chills, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), palpitations (pounding heartbeat) and yellowing of the skin, according to MedlinePlus. Notify your doctor if you have these side effects, and she will adjust your erlotinib dosage.
Additional Concerns
According to Drugs.com, erlotinib is potentially harmful to your unborn baby. Inform your doctor right away if you are pregnant or hope to become pregnant. It is unknown whether erlotinib can pass into breast milk, but it is important to be cautious and tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
You should avoid eating grapefruits or drinking grapefruit-juice products while taking erlotinib. Serious aforementioned side effects can result.
Do not take erlotinib if you are allergic to it or its components. Serious side effects, such as difficulty breathing, hives and swelling of your face, throat and lips, can result, according to Drugs.com.
Tell your doctor whether you are taking such medications as nefazodone, phenobarbital, rifampin or atazanavir. These drugs can interact with erlotinib and cause the aforementioned side effects or make erlotinib less effective.
MedlinePlus says you should avoid sunlight exposure while taking ertolinab. This medication makes you sensitive to sunlight and you can develop a rash. Apply sunscreen containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to protect yourself against the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.
According to the National Library of Medicine, erlotnib treatment has evoked kidney failure, liver damage, a stroke, heart attack and microangiopathic anemia with thrombocytopenia (condition of low red blood cells and low platelet levels).
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