PRODUCT DETAILS

About Erlotirel 100mg Tablet

ERLOTINIB belongs to the group of medicine called ‘anti-cancer’ primarily used for lung and pancreatic cancer treatment. Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. These abnormal cells do not carry out normal lung cell functions and do not develop into healthy lung tissue. In this disease, cells of the lung grow uncontrollably, and if not detected at an early stage may spread to other body parts, including the brain. Pancreatic cancer is an uncontrolled cancerous growth in the pancreas, usually in the cells that produce insulin.

ERLOTINIB contains 'Erlotinib' that belongs to the group of medicines known as 'kinase inhibitors. It works by stopping the action of an abnormal protein that causes the multiplication of cancerous cells. In this way, it prevents the spread of cancerous cells.

Take ERLOTINIB as prescribed by your doctor. You are suggested to take ERLOTINIB as long as your doctor has prescribed it after checking your medical condition.  In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as abdominal pain, bone pain, breathlessness, constipation, cough, diarrhea, edema (swelling), fatigue, fever, infection, muscle pain, nausea, rash, stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth), vomiting, weight loss abnormal blood tests for the liver function. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.

To treat your condition effectually, continue taking ERLOTINIB for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Do not take ERLOTINIB if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy and breastfeeding as ERLOTINIB causes serious congenital disabilities. Older adults are more sensitive to medicine so they may adjust the dosage according to their condition. While taking ERLOTINIB, you might become more sensitive to sunlight, so it is important to protect your skin with a high sun protection factor (SPF). Regular blood tests are required to monitor liver function and blood cells in the blood while taking ERLOTINIB. Avoid consuming alcohol along with ERLOTINIB as it could lead to increased dizziness.

Uses of Erlotirel 100mg Tablet

Lung cancer, Pancreatic cancer

Medicinal Benefits of Erlotirel 100mg Tablet

ERLOTINIB is prescribed to patients dealing with nonsmall cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. Cancer of this type tends to spread quickly in other parts of the body. ERLOTINIB travels through the bloodstream and effectively destroys cancerous cells of the lung, pancreas, and other body parts. ERLOTINIB contains Erlotinib a 'tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)' that stops the uncontrolled growth and spread of cancerous cells. It acts by blocking the abnormal protein's action that is responsible for the multiplication of cancerous cells. Whenever a new healthy cell is formed, it undergoes a usual process of maturity. Cancerous cells form new cells more quickly, so ERLOTINIB targets cancerous cells and blocks the action of Tyrosine kinases enzymes (responsible for causing cancer). It also decreases the blood supply to cancer tumors to slow down the growth of the tumor. In this way, ERLOTINIB stops the production, spread, and growth of cancerous cells in the body. 

Directions for Use

ERLOTINIB can be taken without food on an empty stomach at least one or two hours before taking a meal. The tablet form of ERLOTINIB should be swallowed as a whole with an ample amount of water, do not chew or break the tablet. Do not drink any other liquid other than water to swallow the medicine. It is advised to go for a regular checkup of blood pressure.

Side Effects of Erlotirel 100mg Tablet

• Stomach pain
• Bone pain
• Breathlessness
• Constipation
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Edema (swelling)
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Infection
• Muscle pain
• Nausea
• Rash
• Changes in vision
• Partial hair loss (by strands, not typically in clumps)
• Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
• Weight loss
• Abnormal blood tests for the liver function

Similar Drugs

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

In-Depth Precautions and Warning

Drug Warnings

Do not take ERLOTINIB if you are allergic to ERLOTINIB or any of its ingredients. While taking ERLOTINIB, you might become more sensitive to sunlight, so it is important to protect your skin with a high sun protection factor (SPF) while going out as it can lead to a skin rash if you are not using a strong SPF. ERLOTINIB can cause leg swelling and water retention or fluid overload (edema), so if you have unexpected rapid weight gain, please consult your doctor. Do not take ERLOTINIB if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant and breastfeed as it could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control measures while taking this medication and for at least 1 month after your last dose. ERLOTINIB is not recommended for children and adolescents. You are advised to stop smoking while taking ERLOTINIB as smoking could decrease this medication's effect. ERLOTINIB may make you more susceptible to infections, consult your doctor if you develop any signs of infections, fever, sore throat, breathlessness, jaundice, unexplained bleeding, or bruising.  ERLOTINIB may cause blurry vision and dizziness, so do not drive or operate any machinery which requires concentration. Before undergoing any surgery, it is advised to tell the medical professional who performs the procedure about all the medicines you are taking. 

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interaction:

ERLOTINIB is known to interact with blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin), anti-hypertensive medicines (amlodipine, metoprolol, nifedipine), heart medicines (quinidine, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin), immuno-suppressants (cyclosporine),  antibiotics (erythromycin, telithromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin, ciprofloxacin), anti-fungal medicines (itraconazole, voriconazole, ketoconazole), mental illness medicines (triazolam, alprazolam, estazolam, primidone, phenobarbital, phenytoin, phenytoin, carbamazepine), anti-HIV medicines (saquinavir,  ritonavir), erectile dysfunction medicine (sildenafil), antiulcer (omeprazole, ranitidine).

Drug-Disease Interaction:

 ERLOTINIB is known to interact in patients with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), cardiovascular disease, bone marrow suppression, liver or kidney disease, fluid retention, gastrointestinal disorders, stomach ulcer or bleeding, high blood pressure, diabetes, and chemotherapy.

Safety Advice

ALCOHOL

You are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption with ERLOTINIB as it may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, or difficulty in concentrating.

PREGNANCY

ERLOTINIB is restricted to use in pregnancy. A woman needs to have a negative pregnancy test before starting treatment with this medicine. It is better to use effective birth control methods to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine or at least 6 months after taking the last dose of ERLOTINIB.

BREAST FEEDING

ERLOTINIB should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers as it passes into breast milk and may cause a possible risk to the infant.

DRIVING

It is not known if ERLOTINIB affects your driving ability or not. Drive only if you are physically stable and mentally focused. If you experience drowsiness after taking this medication, you should not drive or operate any machinery or vehicles.

LIVER

ERLOTINIB should be taken with caution in patients dealing with liver disease. The doctor may adjust the dose according to the medical condition of the patient.

KIDNEY

ERLOTINIB is safe to take by patients dealing with kidney disease as prescribed by their doctor. The doctor may adjust the dose according to the medical condition of the patient.