Erlotirel 100mg Tablet is used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer.
Erlotirel 100mg Tablet should be taken on an empty stomach or should be taken one hour before or 2 hour after meal. You should continue to take it as long as your doctor advises it. The duration of treatment varies according to your needs and response to treatment. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
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.
Pancreas are very essential for digestion of whatever you eat and also for metabolism of blood sugar levels as they produce the body’s natural insulin. This medicine will help to control pancreatic cancer, and will relieve the symptoms such as, lack of appetite or unexplained weight loss. Erlotirel 100mg Tablet helps to stop the action of those chemicals that aid in pancreatic cancer growth and spread. It will help you live a longer and healthier life.
In Non-small cell lung cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer is one of the major kinds of lung cancer and it affects both smokers as well as non-smokers. Erlotirel 100mg Tablet helps treat non-small cell lung cancer and may be given alone or in combination with other medicines. It is a potent and very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Side effects of Erlotirel Tablet
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 Erlotirel
Abdominal pain
Bone pain
Breathlessness
Constipation
Cough
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Fever
Infection
Muscle pain
Nausea
Rash
Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
Vomiting
Weight loss
How to use Erlotirel Tablet
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. Erlotirel 100mg Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.
How Erlotirel Tablet works
Erlotirel 100mg 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.
Safety advice
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Erlotirel 100mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Erlotirel 100mg 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.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Erlotirel 100mg Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether Erlotirel 100mg Tablet alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Erlotirel 100mg Tablet is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Erlotirel 100mg Tablet is recommended. Use of this medicine is not advised in patients with severe kidney disease.
Liver
CAUTION
Erlotirel 100mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Erlotirel 100mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
What if you forget to take Erlotirel Tablet?
If you miss a dose of Erlotirel 100mg Tablet, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Erlotirel 100mg 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.
Fact Box
Chemical Class
Quinazoline Derivative
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
ANTI NEOPLASTICS
Action Class
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Patient concerns
What is the purpose of Chemotherepy given at the time of radiotherapy in ca lung small cell carcinoma
Dr. Vijay Sharnangat
Medical Oncology and Hematology
This is given to enhance the therapeutic effect of radiation therapy which is curative for small cell lung cancer.
I want to know the symptoms of cancer as I am a smoker
Dr. Vijay Sharnangat
Medical Oncology and Hematology
Symptoms for cancer depends upon which organ involved. For smokers , definitely chronic , they have possibility to develop lung cancer, head and neck cancers, oesophagus cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer and so more on. General symptoms would be like loss of appetite, weight loss, low grade fever in some cases, chronic cough for long time.
I seem to have lung cancer , becoz all the symptoms are same as lung cancer. I test my blood, they suggests me that it is highly probable to lung cancer. Sir what can i do now. This is in preliminary stage
Dr. Sanjay Singh Rai
Medical Oncology and Hematology
Do you think that lung cancer is diagnosed from blood
Lung cancer stages and symptoms and standard treatment
Dr. Vijay Sharnangat
Medical Oncology and Hematology
There are 4 stages, treatment would be according to it may be chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, and targeted therapy. Symptoms could be cough, chest pain dyspnea etc.
Erlotirel 100mg 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 Erlotirel 100mg 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.
Is Erlotirel 100mg Tablet a chemotherapy drug?
Erlotirel 100mg Tablet is not a conventional chemotherapy medicine. Erlotirel 100mg 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.
How long can I take Erlotirel 100mg Tablet?
You need to take Erlotirel 100mg Tablet every day, as long as your doctor prescribes it for you. The duration of treatment may vary from person to person.
Does smoking interfere with Erlotirel 100mg Tablet?
Yes, smoking can interfere with the working of Erlotirel 100mg Tablet. It can decrease the effectiveness of the medicine to a great extent. Hence, it is advised to stop smoking before you start Erlotirel 100mg Tablet. Your doctor will need to adjust the dose of Erlotirel 100mg Tablet, if you keep on smoking or there is a change in the pattern of smoking.
What should I do if I get a rash while taking Erlotirel 100mg Tablet?
Rash is a common side effect of Erlotirel 100mg Tablet but you should not stop taking Erlotirel 100mg 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.
When can I plan pregnancy, if I am taking Erlotirel 100mg Tablet?
Avoid pregnancy while being treated with Erlotirel 100mg 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.
Does Erlotirel 100mg Tablet affect eyes?
Erlotirel 100mg 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.
When should I call my doctor during treatment with Erlotirel 100mg 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.
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References
Chabner BA, Barnes J, Neal J, et al. Targeted Therapies: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, Monoclonal Antibodies, and Cytokines. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1735-36.
Chu E, Sartorelli AC. Cancer Chemotherapy. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 954-55.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 489-90.
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