User Reviews for Tarceva oral

Tarceva has given me a new quality of life. I have battled non-small lung cancer since Oct. 2008. Tarceva is a miracle drug for me.

I'm 37, never smoked a cigarette in my life, diagnosed with metastatic NSCL in Feb 2011 after a series of respiratory infections, pneumonia and a chronic cough. I received chemo for 5 months, my cycles ran 2 weeks on, 1 week off. I initially started Tarceva in July, 150 mgs daily. I didn't do so well as I had the awful facial rash, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite and rapid weight loss. My oncologist switched to every other day for a few weeks. Currently my dosage is 100 mgs daily. I am still dealing with the rash (facial, chest, shoulders, and now on below the knees to my ankles). Hydrocortisone cream has helped. My skin is extremely dry and painful. Vanicream gives me some relief. I have neuropathy in my fingers on both hands and fatigue (this has gotten better). I have not had any issues with diarrhea, shortness of breath, eyesight, nose/mouth sores. My last CTs showed that Tarceva is indeed working for me. The tumor in my lung shrunk from 4 cm to 2.5 cm. The lesions in my left and right lungs have become scar tissue or continue to shrink, and the lesions on my brain have turned to scar tissue as well. Even though I do not like the side effects from Tarceva, it is working and has given me a second chance at life. Read More Read Less

scalp scabs,itich

Is it safe to take mysolyn for tremors while taking tarceva?

very good for me

I have now been on Taceva 150 for 13 months, with advanced stage IV Adenocarcenoma of the lungs. I responded quickly, and was considered in remission with in 5 months- for 8 tumors! I have had slight issues with the rash/pimples, loss of lung capicity, and now starting to have occ diahrrea. I have not had problems with weight loss (I wish!!)or fatigue. I feel blessed that my oncologist decided to take the time to do additional tests and decided to try this first.

42 yr old non smoker. Diagnosed aug 2010. Taking tarceva since oct 2010. Experienced the rash, abnormal hair growth, eyebrows, brittle nails and sore eyes - not all at the same time but at various stages! I feel this is a small price to pay if it is doing it's job. Cancer spots to right lung gone completely and positive signs that one is healing also. Tumour appears to have shrunk and more functionality in left lung. I pray to God each day that tarceva continues to work. Have stage iv.feel energetic and back working part time. Dose originally 150mg but cut to 150mg on alternative days since dec 2010. This appears to be working.Read More Read Less

no side effects as yet but only been on Tarceva oral for 6 weeks easy to take

Stage 3B in 2008, chemo, radiation, Right upper lobectomy, more chemo. 2010 stage 4 spread to all lobes. Just started Tarceva 150mg. terrible side effects could not tolerate. Re-Started 100mg. 2 months ago and CT scan shows improvement, lesions decreased & some resolved. No new nodules. After 1 month side effects from Tarceva almost gone.Dry skin cetaphil works great! Watch diet carefully also.

AS A PATIENT WITH,LUNG CANCER,MY DOCTOR,TRYED ME ON 150 MGS,OF TARCEVA.HE DID NOT TELL ME NOTHING ABOUT PILL SIDE AFFECTS.AND HE DID NOT GIVE ME ANT STEROIDS,OR BENADRYL.SO NOW I AM SUFFERING WITH,VERY BAD REACTION,RASH,ON,FACE,BACK,N,HEAD.AND ITS VERY ITCHY,N UNCOMFITABLE.SO PLEASE BEFORE U START THIS,TARCEVA.MAKE SURE U KNOW THAT U SHOULD,ASK YOUR DOCTOR,IN ADVANCE,TO GIVE YOU,BENADRYL,STEROIDS,N I HAD TO,TAKE AN,ANTOBIOTIC,CAUSE,IM STILL,IN PAIN.I WANT TO HELP,OTHERS CAUSE,MY DOCTOR DID NOT WARN ME.SO I HAD TO STOP THE TARCEVA,CAUSE,OF BAD SIDE,AFFECTS,THE ITCHIING,N THE RASH,ON MY FACE,N BACK,HURT.SO,BEFORE YOU TAKE TARCEVA,BE PREPARED,N KNOW THAT U HAVE TO GET STEROIDS N BENADRYL,FIRST.I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU I AM CURRANTLY ON ANTIBIOTICS N PRAYING IT STOPS ITCHING.Read More Read Less

my mother is one of the rare few that has had a severe reaction to tarceva, she is in an awful state! started with a severe rash on her head, sickness diaorrea fatigue yellowing of eyes and skin, some liver damage, black stools, ulcers in her mouth, bruising all over her body and then a stroke. this happened within 2 weeks.. no one told us this could happen, we expected the rash, sickness and diaorrea but wasnt made aware of the severity and to then seek medical help..it all happened very quickly. my advice to anyone is to report any side effects imidiatly, before its too late..... Read More Read Less

I was found to have adenocarcinnoma lung cancer in may of 2008. Had surgery to remove top lob on right side and third rib. I was on tarceva as a second round of chemo. Had to be taken off because of side effects. Put on Alitma now after 1year my pt/cat scan showed two marks on the 4th and 5th rib.This could be residual and showing up now that my body is getting immune to the Alitma or they can be new tumors. I started the Tarceva Nov6th. Now I just wait to see which side effects I get and if the Tarceva will work in getting rid of the tumors. I am told that I am beating the odds now by surviving 2 years. I hope that I can keep it up and survive as long as some of you have. I will update as things happen. Read More Read Less

In 2003 I was not expected to live 8 months. I took the chemo for a year until the Tarceva became available in 2004. I have been taking 100 mg for over 5 years. The tumors have been in remission in my lung for 5 years. All check ups satisfactory. As you are aware we are all different. I have the common side effects. I have fatigue and diarrhea side effects along with rash. Heat will aggravate the rash. Hot weather will not be your friend. You may also experience dry skin and nail splitting. For the diarrhea I keep 1 ammonium AD pill in my pocket for those time it becomes a problem. The longer you use the Tarceva the better you are able to handle the side effects. This has been a God send for me and my family. I thank God everyday for this medication.Read More Read Less

have had some diffulculty adjusting to the drug, but overall i feel like it really is working.

Diagnosed 6/08 with stage IIIB inoperable. Given 3 months to 1 yr to live. Took 6mos of chemo of Carboplaten and Alimta. Cancer went into remission. Started Tarceva 12/08 and have been on it every since. At 150mg had several side effects, then onc.dropped me to 100mg. Still had a few side effects mostly related to sore and split fingers. I am now on 75mg for a month and have no side effects. Cancer tumors have turned to scar tissue. I thank God everyday for blessing me that I am still alive and feel healthy. I pray that it continues to work. I am interested to know how long one can take this medication without it harming other parts of the body.Read More Read Less

non-small cell lung cancer, surgery; metastatic to ribs, surgery; spine, radiation & surgery. I have been on tarceva for 1 year so far it seems to be working. No complications except at the begin with the pimples were terrible. However last month the Dr. said looking at the CT the tumors in the lungs might be growing a little bit. Will now also be on zometa.

My 89 mother is taking Tarceva for the last 5 1/2 months. Her biggest problem is the skin on her legs, back of neck and scalp is breaking down. She has large opened sores. Has anyone else experienced this? The tumors in her lungs are slowly shrinking. She started on 150MG but her eyes and nose became infected, so she is now on 100MG. It's an effective drug if you can tolerate it. If anyone needs help financially with Tarceva, contact Genentech- the manufacturer. My mom doesn't pay anything for this drug. God Bless!Read More Read Less

My mom, 48 yrs old nonsmoker, was diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC met to the brain in 5/2009. She stated Tarceva 150mg 1/23/10 and had an extreme allergic reaction from the 1st pill. She broke out in hives within 45 mins and then half an hour after that she got dizzy, fell, violently vomited, both arms went numb, and had seizure like shakes. We took her to the ER. She had an allergic reaction and now cannot take the drug. Has anyone else had this allergic reaction?