Uses / Indications:
Erlocip 150mg Tablet is given to treat:
Lung cancer that isn't small cell (NSCLC):
This is especially true for those with certain EGFR mutations.
It helps keep advanced, metastatic, or recurrent lung cancers under control.
Cancer of the Pancreas:
Used with Gemcitabine to treat advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Other uses that aren't on the label:
Certain malignancies that have too much EGFR, as a specialist has said.
Pregnancy interaction:
It is not safe to take Erlocip 150mg Tablet while pregnant.
It could hurt the fetus in a big way, such as causing birth abnormalities, miscarriage, or fetal poisoning.
Women of childbearing age should take effective birth control during treatment and for at least two weeks following the final dosage.
If the patient gets pregnant while on treatment, they should call their oncologist right away.
Nursing:
Not a good idea. Erlotinib gets into breast milk and can make babies very sick.
You should stop breastfeeding while you are taking the medicine and for two weeks after you stop.
Expert advice:
Erlocip should not be taken with food. Take it on an empty stomach, either an hour before or two hours after a meal.
Don't smoke because it lowers the levels and effectiveness of Erlocip.
If you have diarrhea, make sure to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated.
Stay out of the sun. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing to avoid getting a rash or sunburn.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice because they make drugs work better and have more adverse effects.
Women should take reliable birth control during treatment and for two weeks after finishing.
Check the function of your liver, kidneys, and lungs on a regular basis and let us know if anything changes.
If you start to have eye pain, a severe cough, or trouble breathing, call your doctor very away.
Don't use NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) unless your doctor tells you to. They could make bleeding or stomach irritation more likely.
Side Effects:
Skin rash or acne-like breakouts (the most frequent)
Loose stools
Feeling sick and throwing up
Tiredness or weakness
Not wanting to eat (anorexia)
Stomatitis, or mouth sores
Irritated eyes or dry eyes
Serious Side Effects
Severe skin responses, such as blistering, peeling, or pain
Possible interstitial lung disease (ILD) if you have trouble breathing, a cough, or a fever
Problems with liver function (yellowing of the skin and eyes, black urine)
Bleeding in the stomach and intestines (throwing up blood, having black stools)
Eye problems (pain, redness, alterations in vision)
⚕️ If you have trouble breathing, chest pain, or a bad skin response, get medical help right away.
How to use:
Usually, 150mg once a day, or as your oncologist tells you to.
The dose may be changed based on how you respond, any adverse effects, or how well your organs are working.
Management:
Take it with a full glass of water.
Take it when your stomach is empty, either an hour before or two hours after eating.
Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet; just swallow it whole.
For optimal effects, take it at the same time every day.
Missed Dose:
If it's close to your next dose, don't double it. Just skip it.
Too much:
Symptoms include severe diarrhea, a rash, vomiting, or tiredness.
Get emergency medical help right away.
How it works:
Erlotinib works by blocking the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) enzyme, which is in charge of cancer cell proliferation and division.
Erlocip stops cancer cells from growing and spreading by blocking EGFR.
This treatment only works on tumor cells with EGFR gene mutations, hence it is a targeted therapy instead of standard chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy kills both healthy and cancerous cells, however Erlocip mostly works on cancer cells, thus it doesn't hurt as many healthy cells.
Faq for medicine:
1. What does Erlocip 150mg do?
It is used to treat pancreatic cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that need EGFR signaling to grow.
2. Is Erlocip a type of chemotherapy or a type of targeted therapy?
It is a targeted therapy, not regular chemotherapy. It stops the growth of cancer cells by blocking EGFR.
3. Is Erlocip a cancer cure?
It doesn't cure cancer, but it can help slow the growth of tumors, improve survival, and ease symptoms in those with advanced disease.
4. Is it okay to take Erlocip after meals?
No. To make sure it works, always take it on an empty stomach.
5. Does Erlocip make your skin break out?
Yes, a mild to moderate rash is extremely frequent and could mean that the medicine is functioning. If it's really bad, your doctor might give you antibiotics or creams.
6. Is it possible for Erlocip to make you poop?
Yes, diarrhea is a common adverse effect. Drink plenty of water and let your doctor know if it gets worse.
7. Is it okay to smoke while taking Erlocip?
No. Smoking makes drugs less effective by lowering their concentration.
8. What should I not do while taking Erlocip?
Stay away from grapefruit juice, alcohol, and cigarettes. Also, don't spend too much time in the sun.
9. Is it safe to use Erlocip while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. It's not safe for either of them; it could hurt the baby. Don't breastfeed and use birth control.
10. How long does it take for Erlocip to work?
Results are different. Some people see improvements in their condition within 4 to 8 weeks of starting treatment, however this varies depending on the kind and stage of cancer.
Medicine interaction:
Erlocip 150mg Tablet interacts with a number of different drugs:
Interactions with Other Drugs
Proton Pump Inhibitors (Omeprazole, Pantoprazole): ↓ Erlocip absorption leads to a diminished effect.
H2 Blockers (Ranitidine, Famotidine): Same effect—don't use them at the same time or space out the doses.
Antacids: Take these 4 hours before or 2 hours after taking Erlocip.
CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as Ketoconazole and Clarithromycin, raise the levels of Erlocip in the blood, which might be dangerous.
CYP3A4 inducers (such Rifampicin and Phenytoin) lower Erlocip levels, which makes it less effective.
Warfarin: ↑ Risk of bleeding: keep a tight eye on INR.
Smoking: Significantly lowers Erlocip levels, hence it should be avoided at all costs.
Grapefruit juice: ↑ Erlocip concentration → stay away from it totally.
Always give your oncologist a complete list of all the medicines you use, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements.
