Erlotinib STADA
Erlotinib Stada is a cancer medicine that works by blocking a protein called EGFR, which helps cancer cells grow and spread.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
25 mg
Active Ingredient
Erlotinib hydrochloride
Manufacturer
STADA Arzneimittel AG
How to Use
Dosage
For non-small cell lung cancer, the typical dose is one 150 mg Erlotinib Stada tablet daily. For pancreatic cancer with metastases, the typical dose is one 100 mg Erlotinib Stada tablet daily, taken with gemcitabine.
Method
Take the tablet at least one hour before or two hours after eating.
Important
Your doctor may adjust your dose by 50 mg at a time. The doctor will determine your maximum daily dose.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Diarrhea and vomiting, which can be severe and require hospital care.
- •Eye irritation, including inflammation of the conjunctiva (pink eye) and cornea.
- •Skin rash, which may get worse in sun-exposed areas.
- •Infection.
- •Loss of appetite, weight loss.
- •Depression.
- •Headache, altered skin sensation or numbness in arms and legs.
- •Difficulty breathing, cough.
- •Nausea.
- •Mouth irritation.
- •Stomach pain, digestive problems, flatulence.
- •Abnormal liver function test results.
- •Itching, dry skin, hair loss.
- •Fatigue, fever, stiffness.
RARE
- •Nosebleeds.
- •Bleeding from the stomach or intestines.
- •Inflammation around fingernails.
- •Hair follicle inflammation.
- •Acne.
- •Cracked skin (skin fissures).
- •Worsening kidney function (when Erlotinib Stada is used with chemotherapy for non-approved uses).
- •Interstitial lung disease (a lung condition that can be serious and sometimes fatal).
- •Perforation of the gastrointestinal tract (a hole in the stomach or intestines).
- •Liver inflammation (hepatitis), which can lead to liver failure and be life-threatening.
- •Eyelash changes.
- •Increased male-pattern hair growth on the body and face.
- •Eyebrow changes.
- •Brittle and loose nails.
- •Red or painful palms or soles (hand-foot syndrome).
- •Corneal ulcers or perforations (holes in the cornea).
- •Severe blistering or peeling skin rash (may indicate Stevens-Johnson syndrome).
- •Inflammation of the iris (colored part of the eye).
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to erlotinib or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines that might affect the amount of erlotinib in your blood or its effect, such as antifungals, protease inhibitors, or rifampicin.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking anticoagulants (blood thinners like warfarin), as Erlotinib Stada may increase your risk of bleeding.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking statins (cholesterol-lowering medicines), as Erlotinib Stada may increase the risk of muscle problems.
- Tell your doctor if you wear contact lenses or have had eye problems like dry eyes, inflammation, or corneal wounds.
Show 11 more warnings
- Contact your doctor immediately if you develop sudden breathing difficulties, cough, or fever.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you have severe or persistent diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, or vomiting, as you might need hospital care.
- Tell your doctor if you have had liver problems, as Erlotinib Stada can cause serious liver issues, and your doctor will monitor your liver function with blood tests.
- Tell your doctor if you have severe stomach pain, burning, or peeling skin rashes.
- Contact your doctor or nurse immediately if you develop sudden or worsening eye redness or pain, increased tearing, blurred vision, or light sensitivity.
- If you are also taking a statin and notice unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or cramps, tell your doctor.
- Avoid getting pregnant during treatment and for at least 2 weeks after the last tablet. Do not breastfeed.
- You should stop smoking during Erlotinib Stada treatment, as smoking may reduce the amount of the medicine in your blood.
- Erlotinib Stada is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years.
- If you have a sugar intolerance (e.g., lactose intolerance), talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
- This medicine is not recommended if you have severe liver or kidney disease.