Overview

Tarceva was a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer that had not progressed after four cycles of platinum-based first-line chemotherapy or after failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. Tarceva was also referred to by its drug name, erlotinib.

Tarceva was a member of a class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Tarceva was believed to work by inhibiting the activity of kinases associated with the epidermal growth factor receptor. Interfering with these kinases prevents cancer cells from receiving a protein they need to reproduce, thus hindering cancer cell replication and slowing the growth of tumors.

How was it taken?

Prescribing information stated that Tarceva was taken orally as a tablet once daily on an empty stomach.

Side effects

The FDA-approved label for Tarceva listed common side effects including rash, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, nausea, infection, and vomiting.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Tarceva included kidney failure, liver failure, severe skin disorders, potentially fatal stomach and intestinal damage, heart attack, stroke, bleeding events, fetal harm, and interstitial lung disease (scarring of the lungs). 

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Tarceva — Drugs.com