Tarceva

Can anyone tell me if it is reason to be alarmed when after being on Tarceva for the past three months, all of a sudden I am having breathing problems the past two days, and didn't before. Could this be associated with this drug? My doctor did not mention this to be a side effect.
Any help would be welcome.

Dyspnea (difficulty breathing) is a reported side effect of erlotinib (Tarceva), although it appears from the prescribing information to only occur about 10% of the time (when compared to placebo). Since you have been on the drug for three months without this symptom, I would definitely check in with your oncologist. It may be time for do repeat CT scans and determine response to treatment, as well as look for other causes of the breathing difficulty. Tim

Difficulty breathing and interstitial lung disease which causes difficulty breathing are documented side effects of Tarceva. Consult w/your oncologist and get f/u scans to determine if Tarceva is helping at all. Unfortunately it only has about a 10% response rate.

What is an f/u scan? And interstitial lung disease?

Thank you!

Judi

Hi Anne,

I just read your post online and wondered if you could tell me how Tarceva has affected you other then the difficulty in breathing.

Since I've been diagnosed with lung cancer (since early May) difficult breathing has been an everyday thing for me, so I can't answer your question.

Just a few days ago, they decided to put me on Tarceva because Chemo was making me soo sick. Have you had any of the other side effects, like the rash.

I'm on one dose of 150 mg. each day.
I really would appreciate any input you have.

Jeanne

My healthy 67 non-smoking Mom who was dx with NSCLC Stage 3B Pancoast tumor just finished the "UCLA" protocol and while the pancoast tumor is gone(thank god) the lower right lung lights up on pet scan(she also had a VATS procedure no sure if it lights up r/t inflamamtion or more CA) she has been on Tareva almost 2 weeks no rash but "lack of motivation" she was the energizer bunny on the chemo so this is strange wonder if this is the tarceva? Any thoughts

My aunt has been on Tarceva for 1 month and since the beginning has had sever vomiting, back pain and headaches. The doctors have checked everything they know and say they have never seen side effects of this magnitude. She has been hospitalized since the 9th of December. They took her off of the drug when they put her in the hospital and the vomiting is still severe. She can't eat anything, swallow pain meds and still has a constant headache. We are very scared that she may not make it through this. Is there anyone out there that has had these symptoms this severe. The doctors don't know what to do and why this is still persisting even after coming off the meds.

Yes it can be a side effect.

May also be from loss of iron. I have amenic like blood tests when I go and get my check-ups. I think that is what makes me tired alot. It may help to take a supplement. Exercise helps too.