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Erlotinib Generic Name & Formulations
Legal Class
Rx
General Description
Erlotinib (as HCl) 25mg, 100mg, 150mg; tabs.
Pharmacological Class
Kinase inhibitor.
How Supplied
Contact supplier
Manufacturer
Mechanism of Action
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed on the cell surface of both normal and cancer cells. In some tumor cells signaling through this receptor plays a role in tumor cell survival and proliferation irrespective of EGFR mutation status. Erlotinib reversibly inhibits the kinase activity of EGFR, preventing autophosphorylation of tyrosine residues associated with the receptor and thereby inhibiting further downstream signaling.
Erlotinib Indications
Indications
In combination with gemcitabine: first-line treatment of locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Erlotinib Dosage and Administration
Adult
Take on empty stomach. 100mg once daily + gemcitabine (see full labeling). Use until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs. Dose modifications for adverse reactions: see full labeling. Concomitant strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (see Interactions): reduce by 50mg decrements; avoid use if possible. Concomitant CYP3A4 inducers (see Interactions): increase by 50mg increments at 2-week intervals (max 450mg); avoid use if possible. Concurrent cigarette smoking: increase by 50mg increments at 2-week intervals (max 300mg); upon cessation, reduce to 150mg or 100mg daily.
Children
Not established.
Erlotinib Contraindications
Not Applicable
Erlotinib Boxed Warnings
Not Applicable
Erlotinib Warnings/Precautions
Warnings/Precautions
Discontinue if interstitial lung disease, severe hepatic toxicity, GI perforation, severe bullous, blistering or exfoliating skin conditions, or corneal perforation or severe ulceration occurs. Withhold or consider discontinuing therapy if severe renal failure due to dehydration, or acute/worsening ocular disorders occur. Monitor LFTs periodically; withhold in patients without history of hepatic impairment for total bilirubin >3XULN or transaminases >5XULN, or in patients with history of hepatic impairment or biliary obstruction for doubling of bilirubin or tripling of transaminases over baseline. Discontinue if abnormal LFTs do not improve or resolve within 3 weeks. Withhold for acute onset of unexplained pulmonary symptoms pending evaluation, persistent severe diarrhea unresponsive to loperamide, severe rash, grade 3–4 keratitis or grade 2 lasting ≥2 weeks. Monitor renal function, serum electrolytes, pulmonary function, INR, prothrombin time. History of peptic ulcers or diverticular disease. Embryo-fetal toxicity. Pregnancy: avoid. Females of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during therapy and at least 1 month after the last dose. Nursing mothers: not recommended (during and for 2 weeks after the last dose).
Erlotinib Pharmacokinetics
Distribution
Plasma protein bound: 93%.
Elimination
Fecal (83%), renal (8%). Half-life: 36.2 hours.
Erlotinib Interactions
Interactions
Potentiated by CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, atazanavir, boceprevir, clarithromycin, conivaptan, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lopinavir/ritonavir, nefazodone, nelfinavir, posaconazole, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, troleandomycin, voriconazole, grapefruit) or a combined CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 inhibitor (eg, ciprofloxacin); reduce dose if unavoidable. Plasma levels decreased by CYP3A4 inducers (eg, rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, St. John's wort); increase dose if unavoidable. Avoid concomitant moderate CYP1A2 inducers (eg, teriflunomide, rifampin, phenytoin) or smoking tobacco; increase dose if unavoidable. Avoid concomitant proton pump inhibitors if possible. Separate dosing of antacids by several hours or for H2 blockers (take erlotinib 10hrs after and at least 2hrs before next dose). Increased risk of GI perforation with concomitant anti-angiogenic agents, steroids, NSAIDs, taxane-based chemotherapy. Monitor for bleeding with oral anticoagulants, NSAIDs.
Erlotinib Adverse Reactions
Adverse Reactions
Rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fatigue, elevated LFTs, unexplained pulmonary symptoms (eg, dyspnea, cough, fever; discontinue and follow-up if occurs), stomatitis, infection; rare: GI perforation (may be fatal), ocular disorders (eg, conjunctivitis, keratitis, corneal ulceration/perforation), MI/ischemia, hemolytic anemia with thrombocytopenia, cerebrovascular accident (in pancreatic cancer), interstitial lung disease; hepatic or renal failure and hepatorenal syndrome (may be fatal); bullous, blistering and exfoliative skin conditions (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis).
Erlotinib Clinical Trials
See Literature
Erlotinib Note
Notes
Testing considerations: K-RAS mutation analysis, EGFR amplification analysis. Formerly known under the brand name Tarceva.
Erlotinib Patient Counseling
See Literature
Erlotinib Generic Name & Formulations
Legal Class
Rx
General Description
Erlotinib (as HCl) 25mg, 100mg, 150mg; tabs.
Pharmacological Class
Kinase inhibitor.
How Supplied
Contact supplier
Manufacturer
Mechanism of Action
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed on the cell surface of both normal and cancer cells. In some tumor cells signaling through this receptor plays a role in tumor cell survival and proliferation irrespective of EGFR mutation status. Erlotinib reversibly inhibits the kinase activity of EGFR, preventing autophosphorylation of tyrosine residues associated with the receptor and thereby inhibiting further downstream signaling.
Erlotinib Indications
Indications
Treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations as detected by an FDA-approved test receiving first-line, maintenance, or second or greater line treatment after progression following at least one prior chemotherapy regimen.
Limitations of Use
Not established in patients with NSCLC whose tumors have other EGFR mutations. Not recommended for use in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy.
Erlotinib Dosage and Administration
Adult
Take on empty stomach. 150mg once daily. Use until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs. Dose modifications for adverse reactions: see full labeling. Concomitant strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (see Interactions): reduce by 50mg decrements; avoid use if possible. Concomitant CYP3A4 inducers (see Interactions): increase by 50mg increments at 2-week intervals (max 450mg); avoid use if possible. Concurrent cigarette smoking: increase by 50mg increments at 2-week intervals (max 300mg); upon cessation, reduce to 150mg or 100mg daily.
Children
Not established.
Erlotinib Contraindications
Not Applicable
Erlotinib Boxed Warnings
Not Applicable
Erlotinib Warnings/Precautions
Warnings/Precautions
Discontinue if interstitial lung disease, severe hepatic toxicity, GI perforation, severe bullous, blistering or exfoliating skin conditions, or corneal perforation or severe ulceration occurs. Withhold or consider discontinuing therapy if severe renal failure due to dehydration, or acute/worsening ocular disorders occur. Monitor LFTs periodically; withhold in patients without history of hepatic impairment for total bilirubin >3XULN or transaminases >5XULN, or in patients with history of hepatic impairment or biliary obstruction for doubling of bilirubin or tripling of transaminases over baseline. Discontinue if abnormal LFTs do not improve or resolve within 3 weeks. Withhold for acute onset of unexplained pulmonary symptoms pending evaluation, persistent severe diarrhea unresponsive to loperamide, severe rash, grade 3–4 keratitis or grade 2 lasting ≥2 weeks. Monitor renal function, serum electrolytes, pulmonary function, INR, prothrombin time. History of peptic ulcers or diverticular disease. Embryo-fetal toxicity. Pregnancy: avoid. Females of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during therapy and at least 1 month after the last dose. Nursing mothers: not recommended (during and for 2 weeks after the last dose).
Erlotinib Pharmacokinetics
Distribution
Plasma protein bound: 93%.
Elimination
Fecal (83%), renal (8%). Half-life: 36.2 hours.
Erlotinib Interactions
Interactions
Potentiated by CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, atazanavir, boceprevir, clarithromycin, conivaptan, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lopinavir/ritonavir, nefazodone, nelfinavir, posaconazole, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, troleandomycin, voriconazole, grapefruit) or a combined CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 inhibitor (eg, ciprofloxacin); reduce dose if unavoidable. Plasma levels decreased by CYP3A4 inducers (eg, rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, St. John's wort); increase dose if unavoidable. Avoid concomitant moderate CYP1A2 inducers (eg, teriflunomide, rifampin, phenytoin) or smoking tobacco; increase dose if unavoidable. Avoid concomitant proton pump inhibitors if possible. Separate dosing of antacids by several hours or for H2 blockers (take erlotinib 10hrs after and at least 2hrs before next dose). Increased risk of GI perforation with concomitant anti-angiogenic agents, steroids, NSAIDs, taxane-based chemotherapy. Monitor for bleeding with oral anticoagulants, NSAIDs.
Erlotinib Adverse Reactions
Adverse Reactions
Rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fatigue, elevated LFTs, unexplained pulmonary symptoms (eg, dyspnea, cough, fever; discontinue and follow-up if occurs), stomatitis, infection; rare: GI perforation (may be fatal), ocular disorders (eg, conjunctivitis, keratitis, corneal ulceration/perforation), MI/ischemia, hemolytic anemia with thrombocytopenia, cerebrovascular accident (in pancreatic cancer), interstitial lung disease; hepatic or renal failure and hepatorenal syndrome (may be fatal); bullous, blistering and exfoliative skin conditions (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis).
Erlotinib Clinical Trials
See Literature
Erlotinib Note
Notes
Testing considerations: K-RAS mutation analysis, EGFR amplification analysis. Formerly known under the brand name Tarceva.
Erlotinib Patient Counseling
See Literature
