Safely Buy Tarceva ( Erlotinib ) from Canada Prescriptions Plus.

Indications

Tarceva is a cancer medication used to treat locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and, when combined with gemcitabine, pancreatic cancer that is locally advanced, not removable through surgery, or metastatic.

Erlotinib is a human epidermal growth factor receptor type 1/epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1/EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor with antitumour properties. By inhibiting this receptor, Tarceva interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in your body.

Dosage and Administration

The dose of Tarceva that is prescribed will vary depending on the individual, type of cancer, and severity of the cancer being treated. Follow all your healthcare provider’s instructions and read packaging labels carefully to ensure the best response during treatment. Do not make any changes to your dose on your own.

• Swallow tablets whole
• Take on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal
• If you experience diarrhea, use medication to treat it quickly
• You may need frequent medical tests to ensure the efficacy of your treatment with Tarceva
• Store at room temperature away from children and pets

To treat non-small cell lung cancer:

• Most adults take 150mg once daily
• Doses can be reduced in decrements of 50mg

To treat pancreatic cancer:

• Most adults take 100mg once daily with gemcitabine
• Doses can reduce in 50mg amounts until the desired effect is achieved

Side Effects

Tarceva may cause some side effects to develop while.

Speak with your healthcare provider to learn more about any symptoms that you may experience during treatment.

Common Tarceva side effects:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Cough, trouble breathing
• Rash
• Weakness or tiredness

Serious Side Effects

Some more serious adverse reactions may occur during treatment with Tarceva. Call your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough, shortness of breath
• Severe stomach pain, fever, chills, coughing blood
• Severe ongoing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Eye pain or irritation, vision problems
• Symptoms of a heart attack (chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating)
• Signs of a stroke (sudden numbness or weakness, sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance)
• Kidney or liver problems (little or no urination, swelling, rapid weight gain, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, jaundice)

Allergic Reactions

Do not take Tarceva if you are allergic to erlotinib or any of the other tablet ingredients. Stop using this cancer medication and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you develop any signs of an allergic reaction during treatment.

Tarceva allergy symptoms may include:

• Hives, rash, itching
• Blistering or peeling skin
• Fever, sore throat
• Burning eyes, skin pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of face or throat

Cautions

Do not use Tarceva without guidance from a healthcare professional who is experienced in treating and managing cancer patients.

Before starting monotherapy with Tarceva, your EGFR mutation-positive status must be confirmed.

Tarceva may cause issues with your liver and should be used with caution in any patient that has severe liver or kidney impairments.

To ensure your safety when taking this medication, tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:

• Lung problems other than cancer
• Kidney or liver disease
• Stomach bleeding
• Eye problems
• If you are dehydrated
• If you smoke

Do not take Tarceva if you are pregnant because the medication could harm your unborn baby. Use effective methods of birth control during treatment and for at least 1 month after taking your last dose.

Do not breastfeed while using Tarceva or for the 2 weeks following your last dose.

Tarceva has in rare cases lead to reactions associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Stop taking this medication and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you develop any new or progressive lung problems including shortness of breath, cough, and fever.

Patients using Tarceva to treat pancreatic cancer have reported developing myocardial infarction or ischemia which can be deadly. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice any symptoms of these conditions.

Avoid direct exposure to sunlight and artificial UV rays during treatment with Tarceva because the medication can cause skin rashes, dryness, and other irritation that could be exacerbated by sunburns.

Avoid using skin products that are drying or irritating because this medication can cause skin irritations.

Tarceva may make it easier for you to become dehydrated. If you experience diarrhea during treatment, start using anti-diarrhea medication right away to treat it to avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids and contact your doctor if your diarrhea is severe.

Some drugs may interact with Tarceva and cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medications that you take, including over the counter medicines, but especially any of the following:

• Warfarin
• Calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, verapamil)
• Antifungal medications (ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, and others)
• Macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, and more)
• Fluoroquinolone antibiotic medicines (ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and others)
• Certain HIV antiviral medications (ritonavir, indinavir, efavirenz, and others)
• Barbiturates (phenobarbital)
• Anticonvulsant medications (carbamazepine, phenytoin, and others)
• Glucocorticoid steroids
• St. John’s Wort
• Coumarin derivative anticoagulant medications

Do not smoke during treatment with Tarceva because it can decrease the exposure of this medication by half.

Avoid ingesting grapefruit products while taking Tarceva because it can cause an increase in adverse reactions by increasing plasma concentrations of the drug.

Form and Strength

This cancer medication is available in the form of tablets.

Tarceva tablet strengths:

• 25mg
• 100mg
• 150mg

All the Tarceva tablet strengths are available in quantities of 30 while the 150mg tablets are also available in quantities of 90.

FAQ

Can you take Tarceva on an empty stomach?

Yes, it is recommended that you take your daily dose of Tarceva on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Follow all your healthcare provider’s directions on how to take this medication for the best results during your cancer treatment.

Does Tarceva shrink tumours?

Tarceva contains a drug that inhibits specific receptors in your cells which helps slow the growth and spread of cancer cells in your body. This provides the medication with an antitumour effect because it could help shrink cancerous tumours. Speak with your healthcare provider for more information about Tarceva and how it works.

Resources:

1. https://www.drugs.com/tarceva.html
2. https://www.rochecanada.com/PMs/Tarceva/Tarceva_PM_E.pdf
3. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=5783976b-0862-44e5-9b19-0f41d236d5c3&type=display