ERLOCIP 150 mg Tablet

ERLOCIP 150MG contains Erlotinib which belongs to the group of medicines called Cytostatic agents. It is used to treat advanced non-small cell lung cancer in adult patients.

It can also be used to treat advanced, unresectable metastatic pancreatic cancer in adult patients in combination with gemcitabine.

It can be prescribed to you either as an initial therapy or as an alternative therapy if your disease remains largely unchanged after initial chemotherapy, provided your cancer cells have specific EGFR mutations.

Erlotinib works by inhibiting the activity of a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is known to be responsible for the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Avoid smoking while taking this medicine, because smoking could decrease the amount of the medicine in your blood.

Always take this medicine at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Avoid concomitant treatment of this medicine with statins because it may increase the risk of muscle pain, tenderness or cramps. Before taking this medicine, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The most common side effect of taking this medicine are skin rash, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, depression, headache, weight loss and hair loss.

Contact your doctor immediately if any of the above symptom worsens. ERLOCIP 150MG is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver or kidney disease and in children or adolescents under 18 years of age. Consult your doctor before taking.

USES OF ERLOCIP 150MG:

Treats advanced non-small cell lung cancer in adults
Treats advanced, unresectable metastatic pancreatic cancer in adult patients in combination with gemcitabine

HOW ERLOCIP 150MG WORKS:

Following oral administration, erlotinib binds to the intracellular portion (tyrosine kinase) of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and inhibits its activity.

EGFR is expressed on the surface of both normal as well as cancer cells. Inhibition of EGFR and it’s signaling significantly decreases tumor proliferation and survival, resulting in cell death.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE:

Take ERLOCIP 150MG as directed by your physician. It must be taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Do not take this medicine with meals. Swallow the medicine as whole with a sip of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine.

Your doctor will decide the correct dose for you depending upon your condition. Continue to take this medicine, as long as your doctor tells you to do so, to obtain better results.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ERLOCIP 150MG:

SERIOUS

Persistent diarrhea and vomiting
Eye irritation due to keratitis or conjunctivitis
Interstitial lung disease (a form of lung irritation)
Sudden difficulty in breathing with cough or fever
Severe abdominal pain
Liver failure

COMMON

Skin rash in sun exposed areas
Loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, indigestion and flatulence
Weight loss
Depression
Headache
Numbness in extremities
Infection, difficulty in breathing, cough
Mouth irritation
Acne, itching, dry or cracked skin
Tiredness, fever, rigors
Bleeding from the nose
GI bleeding
Inflammatory reactions around fingernail
Infection of hair follicles or hair loss

RARE

Flushed or painful palms or soles

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS:

Nausea:

Try to rest and relax. Stick to simple meals. Do not eat rich or spicy food.

Flatulence:

Eat smaller and frequent meals. Eat and drink slowly, and exercise regularly. If the symptoms get worse, contact your doctor immediately.

Diarrhea:

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or juice, to avoid dehydration. Do not take any medicines without speaking to a doctor.

Stomach pain:

Try to rest and relax. You can eat and drink slowly or have smaller and frequent meals. Keeping a heat pad on your stomach may also help. If still pain persists, speak to your doctor.

Skin rash:

Avoid hot showers because hot water can irritate the skin. Do not rub or scratch the affected area. Use sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors. Regularly use moisturizers to soothe and hydrate the affected area. If it does not get better, speak to a doctor.

INTERACTIONS:

Talk to your doctor, if you are taking,

Medicines used to treat bacterial infections (e.g. erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin)
Medicines used to treat epilepsy (e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine)
Medicines used to treat fits or induce sleep (e.g. phenobarbital, pentobarbital)
Medicines used to reduce stomach acid (e.g. omeprazole or ranitidine)
Medicines used to prevent blood clot (e.g. warfarin)
Protease inhibitors (used to treat HIV infection) such as atazanavir, saquinavir, darunavir
Proteasome inhibitors (used to treat multiple myeloma) such as bortezomib or carfilzomib
Statins (used to reduce high blood cholesterol) such as atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin
Antifungals (used to treat fungal infection) e.g. ketoconazole
Rifampicin (used to treat tuberculosis)
St. John?s Wort (a herbal medicine used to treat depression)

SYNOPSIS:

Drug : Erlotinib
Pharmacological Category : Cytostatic agent, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Therapeutic Indication : Advanced non-small cell lung cancer, Pancreatic cancer
Dosage Forms : Tablet

MORE INFORMATION:

Store below 20-25°C and keep out of reach of children.

FAQ’s ABOUT ERLOCIP 150MG:

Q: How to take ERLOCIP 150MG?
A: Always take this medicine at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Swallow the medicine as whole with a sip of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose for you depending upon your condition.

Q: Can I smoke while taking ERLOCIP 150MG?
A: No. Avoid smoking while taking this medicine, because smoking could decrease the amount of the medicine in your blood.

Q: Can we take statins while taking ERLOCIP 150MG?
A: No. Avoid concomitant treatment of this medicine with statins because it may increase the risk of muscle pain, tenderness or cramps.

USES OF ERLOCIP TABLET

• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Pancreatic cancer

BENEFITS OF ERLOCIP TABLET

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.

Erlocip 150 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.

In Pancreatic cancer

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.

Erlocip 150 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.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ERLOCIP 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 Erlocip

• 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 ERLOCIP 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. Erlocip 150 Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.

HOW ERLOCIP TABLET WORKS

Erlocip 150 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

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Erlocip 150 Tablet. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy

Erlocip 150 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

Erlocip 150 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

It is not known whether Erlocip 150 Tablet alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.

Kidney

Erlocip 150 Tablet is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Erlocip 150 Tablet is recommended.
Use of this medicine is not advised in patients with severe kidney disease.

Liver

Erlocip 150 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Erlocip 150 Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Limited information is available on the use of Erlocip 150 Tablet in these patients. No dose adjustment is recommended in patients with mild to moderate liver disease.

WHAT IF YOU FORGET TO TAKE ERLOCIP TABLET?

If you miss a dose of Erlocip 150 Tablet, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.