User Reviews for Tarceva oral

After a week and a half with no problems, and high hopes, my eyes began to itch and were very swollen, esp. in the morning. My face felt like it was on fire. Ice packs helped. I went in to see the nurse and she said my "rash" was not at all typical, discontinue the drug for now. I had very high hopes and am still hoping my oncologist will find a way to make this work. The itchy, sandpaper eyes and the darkened skin around the eyes were very uncomfortable. Benedryl helped, too.

my husband was on Tarceva and Gemzar for Stage IV pancreatic cancer. He developed a very bad rash, which should indicate that the drugs were working -- NOT! The side effects were pretty tolerably; he was on pain meds so that balanced out the diarrhea. Pancreatic cancer is just a horrible disease; my husband passed away last week, 6 months after diagnosis.

My mother was diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic cancer. After 4 session of Gemzar chemo with no reduction in tumor size and increasing 19-9 counts, the oncologist recommeded the usage of Tarceva in conjunction with the Gemzar. Reading the information in the package was scary enough for my my mom - indicated that pancreatic cancer patients taking this medication in conjuction with standard chemo lived, on average, 2 weeks longer. But, trying to maintain positive and beat the odds of her terrible disease, my mom began the medication. Within days she experienced a severe rash all over her face. All self esteem she had was destroyed. Until that point, she did not look like a sick person and was able to continue with her job as normal. She immediately discontinued usage, and her rash was gone a month later. Though she remained alive for another 12 weeks, I am sure the Tarceva was the turning point for her with her disease; it dimished the positive attitude required to combat this condition. Pancreatic cancer patients -please speak frankly with your oncologist about the pros and cons of this drug.Read More Read Less

this medication is noted to create a rash if its working,which of coarse we (my husband and I)were hoping for, but in our case we developed a very serious infection from it so we had to stop it.

This Medication was prescribed for stage IV NSCLC after failure of chemo and radiation when diagnosed in stage 3b. The side of effects of this med are tough, facial rash, dry skin, fatigue, and loss of appetite. This med was unafective in this case. I was told that the drug works best on never before smokers, or with the genetic markers that are characteristic of Asian females. Please use caution with this drug. If it works for you - God Bless. If it does'nt show results, then don't punish yourself. I think this med is overated, and certainly overpriced. My advise is to discuss this fully with your oncologist. Best of Luck to those with this terrible disease.Read More Read Less

I am suffering from severe mouth sores, unable to open my mouth and speak leave alone eat. I ahe lost 4 kgs in 5 days. Fatigue and aches do not let me move around. I am almost a vegetable

I have been on Tarceva 150mg for one week now. The rash on my face, especially around my nose, mouth and chin is extremely uncomfortable--itching, burning, red with white pus--horrible to look at!!! So far the diarrhea is somewhat manageable with Immodium. I do not have much of an appetite and cannot sleep very well due to the burning of my face, eyes, scalp, etc. I will have a follow-up ct scan in 3 weeks. I don't know if I can live with this terrible rash. I have been told to use hydro-cortisone cream with an equal part of vaseline, but it burns even more. I have been using cold, wet compresses on the affected area for some relief.Read More Read Less

so far no side effects

anxiety no concentration desprate looking straight at nothing

MY HUSBAND WHO IS 80 YEARS OLD WAS JUST DIAGNOSED WITH NSCLC. HE HAS BEEN ON THIS MEDICATION FOR 6 MONTHS AND IT IS WORKING WELL SO FAR. HIS ONLY SIDE EFFECT SEEMS TO BE EXCESSIVE DROOLING. I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THAT SIDE EFFECT? HE HAS NO RASH NO DIARRHEA JUST THE DROOLING ISSUE.

I have been on Tarceva for 7 months. At first, I had a manageable rash and diarrhea. Now my rash is severe, but the diarrhea is almost gone. My dosage has been cut to try to solve the rash problem. However, my tumor counts are almost at zero, so I'm encouraged.

I was diagnosed stage IV in May 08, 3 cycles of chemotherapy. Went on Tarceva in September 08. Bone tumors appear to be gone, lung tumor is 1/2 size. Very few side effects. At first this drug worked very fast in reducing my tumors, now is steady. I hope this continues and have confidence in the drug.

Working very slow but helping

I had 1/2 lung removed and went thru chemo and radiation and then in Dec 07 went on 150 mg of Tarceva, in Dec 08 changed to 100 mg due to rash, cracked finger tips. I have been cancer free since the surgery, still have diarear problems, but I can handle it. Very grateful and blessed to have this med. Have had 3 PET scans since starting and still cancer free.

I've been on Tarceva just over 9 months. for NSCLC. Started with 3 tumors. One is gone, one is now scar tissue and one is reduced to 5mm. Used Elidel for rash and put up with other side effects. I just stopped for 2 months to give me body and chance to recoup. Next CT scan 6/11, if tuor is still 5mm I'll wait to go back, please pray for me. So far this has been a miracle.

I began Tarceva once daily. At the end of the 7th day of dosage, severe rash on face, neck and upper chest region. Diarreha (sp.) decrease in taste, mouth sores, very dry skin, skin on feet would peel off in small sheets like paper, irritation in swallowing (small sips of drink and small bits of food for comfortability in eating). Pain and dryness in eyes, with minor neuropathy, banging in ears, nervousness. Doctor rescheduled my dosage every third day. This seem was easier on body, but side effects did not disappear, continued side effects in smaller proportion. Time on Tarceva, 6 months. I am currently off Tarceva, until June which a CT Scan will be taken to see how cancer is "stewing". I am also having "withdrawal" symptoms from Tarceva, eyes are not so painful, nerves and fatigue are issues now. Pace myself daily with daily chores, walks, does help. Naps are a necessity in afternoon due to these effects. I have been challenged with cancer now for ll years, I'm still breathing and still here on God's great earth. My cancer was finally given a name at Dana Farber in Boston called Thymoma Cancer (from the Thymus Gland in center of chest) It surely has been a "ride" all these years, but i have been fortunate that my cancer has not spread. It has made its home in my left chest region as well as my center chest region with several lesions. Hang in there guys! God loves you and so do I !Read More Read Less

I Non-SmallCell LungCancer Stage IIB Since June 2005, I had A Lobectomy in Sept. 2005,Later I Did Chemotherapy(Aggressive) For About 4 Months. I have been on Tarceva 150mg Since July 2006. My Side Effects Are Minor Neurapthy,Rash Around My Mouth,Fatigue Sometimes,Diaherra is under control I use Immodium.Nuerapthy Pain I use Lyrica from my Neurologist. Other than That I am Doing OK.Iv'e Just Taken A CAt-SCAN I have A Small tumor on both Left and Right Lungs But they are not Growing and My Cancer is NOT Spreading!!! I'm Still Forever GRATEFUL for this DRUG-TARCEVA 150mg!!! God Bless I;m Still ALIVE!!Read More Read Less

I have a sister who was diagnosed with lung cancer back in May 2008 and doctors recommended Tarceva 150 mg daily. The medication did nothing except drain our pocket of US4250, yes this what we used to pay every month in Lebanon hoping it will help her or at least reduce the pain or prevent the cancer from spreading . She passed away on January 27 2009. I hope all other patient with lung cancer will survive and live long. In memory of my sister Fawzieh

Had severe rash and accompanied with itch/burn on face with 150mg; reduced to 100mg. Presently, face and body skin very dry but controlled by prescriptions, ulcers in mouth and eye, also controlled by prescription. Just started to notice face hair after approx. 2 months of use.