User Reviews for Tarceva oral

On Tarceva for 5 months now. Reduced tumor by over 60% plus took cancer out of the bones and lymph nodes. Side effects are diarrhea, dry skin, and floaters. Upset stomach which I control by eating six small meals per day. Nature's Way Primadophilus Optima (probiotic) eased my stomach and intestine discomfort and should be standard issue with this medication.

Suffer from many side effects terrible side effects diareah face rash face stinging skin itching PUSTLES every ware especialy the face.

The rash is quite painful

Was diagnosed with Stage 4 nsclc in November 2003 and given 2-3 years to live. Did year and a half of chemo, six months of radiation and six months on Iressa. Been on Tarceva 150mg for the past 7 years with great success. No further growth in my plura and no new cancer growth anywhere else. Life is good!

I have been taking Tarceva 150 for just over 3 months. After 2 1/2 months, a CT scan showed that the mail tumor in my lung had shrunken considerably, and the small metastases were no longer visible. Side effects include minor diarrhea, fatigue, dry skin and scalp, hair loss on head and hair growth around the lips.

Lot of facial rash rolblems

On March 27, 2013, my 37th birthday, I was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma. I had a 4 cm tumor on the right top lobe, cancer cells on my plura and in the fluid, as well as active cancer cells in one of my ribs. My amazing doctor, Dr. Richard Gorman, immediately tested me to see if I could take it. On April 19, 2013 as I was getting a port placed, Dr. Gorman called my mom with the great news being able to start Tarceva. So on April 22, 2013 instead of starting chemo I started 150mg of Tarceva. Within 3 weeks my whole face and my scalp was covered in the rash. My face seriously looked like a pepperoni pizza lol. He took me off, then started me at 100mg to move me up to 125mg. I do have the most irritating rash in my scalp that sometimes goes down my back but other than that it's been smooth sailing. Just did a PET scan August 19, 2013 and it has helped tremendously. My cancer in my rib, gone, 2 spots on my plura gone, and tumor has shrank half a cm. Praise you Jesus! In April I was told 2 to 5 months w/o treatment, and maybe 18 months w/treatment, but w/this success and prayer I am positive I have many years left. Anyone reading this just remember a few things: 1)try to always be positive 2)set goals for your self 3)make future plans and 4)have faith. Bless each and everyone of you reading this no matter who you do or don't pray to.Read More Read Less

I get severe liquid filled pimples on my scalp. Then they turn into scabs and when the scabs fall off I have large bald spots..

Many minor side affects. All treatable. Has been 3 1/2 years!

I started 150 MG Tarceva on Jan 10 2005 ATER A LAPOROSCOPY. HAD 1 LOBE REMOVED BECAUSE OF TUMOR GROWTH, HOWEVER ALL OTHER TUMORS (ALL PRIMARY) HAD REMAINED STABLE...TO THIS DAY THE REMAINING TUMORS HAVE NOT GROWN AND I CONTINUE TO TAKE TARCEVA 7 YRS LATER...IS THIS UNUSUAL? OR AM I JUST LUCKY? A LUCKY LADY....Karen Kaufman

My 81 yr old mother was diagnosed with inoperable/couldn't have radiation NSCLC July 2010 and given 6mos - 1yr. She was in a study Pointbreak and had Alimta and carboplatin for over a yr. In the beginning there was slight shrinkage of tumors. Due to severe fatigue and loss of appetite and weight loss, mom skipped a chemo and was changed to every 4wks instead of every 3 for the last year and didn't qualify for the study any more. Mom was given Tarceva 100mg in December 2012 taken daily. She had none of the itchiness/rash or any of the other symptons described in these posts. Mom was given Tarceva as a last ditch. On the 27th day, she had an awful diarreah attack (1-8-13) and quit eating and drinking the next day and couldn't drink out of a straw she was so weak. Onc. took her off of Tarceva immed. She developed an awful raw lesion on one side of her rump and her lungs became diminished ea day. She also had the sticky eyes. She went into a coma like state on 1-10-13 with her mouth wide open and died like that at 10:30 on 1-15-13. Since last CT in Oct showed growth of one of the tumors and tumor markers shot up we encouraged our mother to try this drug. She always had her wits throughout so she took it fully aware. I think the Tarceva worsened her quality of life and made it MORE difficult for her to breathe. I and my siblings are so regretful we encouraged her to take this drug.Read More Read Less

3.5 months on 150mg and stable with a slight reduction in tumor size and less pain in bone meds. Lymph node change unknown just yet. Side effects are manageable. My oncologist had a 1 hour teaching session with me regarding Tarceva, side effects, lotions, hygiene, scheduling, food, etc. I armed myself with all of the lotions and potions before I started and attack each side effect as soon as it emerges. Mostly skin, nail, scalp, diarrhea and fatigue which I can manage and appreciate because of the positive results so far. Good luck to all.Read More Read Less

My Mom has been taking Tarceva since November 2011, just came back from getting her results tumor is gone from her right lung. She does have some itching but has been able to control it and had a some bout with rashes. My Mom was given 10% chance of survival and beating lung cancer. 2011 was an awful year but 2012 has given given hope that she will completely beat this. Tarceva has her cancer free now. She did have chemo and radiation but after all that she still had the tumor in her right lung.Read More Read Less

I've been on Tarceva for 6 months now, have had many side effects, such as diarrhea, pimples on the face and neck, rash on neck,back, under breasts, and legs. Nausea, heart burn, acid reflex, food lacks taste. No at night with the heart burn, my check and stomach hurt. Nothing I can't deal with at this time. Had a CT scan after 3 months, slight improvement. Will have another at 8 months.

Stage 3 throat Cancer. Three large doses of chemo and 34 radiation treatments. Three weeks of Tarceva, got bad chest and facial rash, and an inflammation of the stomach/intestine area called duadinitis. Lost 20 lbs in a week had severe cramps. Now after 7 weeks of treatment I am cancer free for 10 months.

I have taken Tarceva for nine months and my CT's show very good results. The side effects are my problem. In addition to the expected advertised side effects, I am on my third severe scalp problem. The doctor has given me a 10 day and 5day period off the medication and reduced my dosage from 7 days to 5 days a week. My scalp is the only area being effected by this breakout. Do other patients have this problem and is there a solution?

I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer in Dec. 2010 and took cemotherapy and then was put on Tarceva 100 mg. The tumor in my right lung has shrunk and is described as scar tissue now. I have back pain because the cancer had spread to my back originally before being diagnosed. I feel that Tarceva has helped me survive as originally I wasn't given much chance. I have to stop Tarceva occasionally because of the rash and the way it affects my toes. Sometimes I stay off it 2 weeks at a time and sometimes only a week. I currently take the pill every other day as I seem to be able to tolerate it better that way. It seems to build up toxicity in my system--I would have terrible facial rash and diarrhea with bleeding toe nails. I am grateful for the drug as I feel it has saved my life!! My doctor says that this is the top line treatment for my cancer. 5/16/12Read More Read Less

My Hubby was diagnosed with lung cancer, stage IV in 2004. He was 28 years old at the time. His Dr. prescribed him Tarceva as first line treatment due to my husbands refusal to do anything else. After being told he had up to one year to live, I am happy to say he is still alive. Whenever the tumors disappear, he stops taking it because of the side affects. The Dr. did recommend, lower dosage, for maintenance therapy, but my hubby is stubborn and refuses, so the tumors always come back. ( I recommend doing what your Dr. Says to do, keeping in mind you are your number one advocate.) He is currently taking Tarceva for the 4th time in 8 years. So far, everything is looking good. We received his blood work back yesterday and everything is in normal range. Read More Read Less

Diagnosed with Stage 4 NSCLC June 2007. Six treatments of Taxal/carboplatin and then took Tarceva for 18mos before it stopped working. Dry skin, cracked cuticles hands/feet. Have been on Alimta, Taxotere and Gemzar since and have just started Tarceva again. Original diagnosis was 6-12mos. My tumor has not grown and no lymph nodes affected. No growth or changes and am hoping that the Tarceva will carry me along until something new comes on the market. (Age 66, female, non-smoker)