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Indications

High Alert


Contraind./Precautions

Contraindicated in:

Use Cautiously in:

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects

Interactions

Drug-drug:

Drug-Natural Products:

Drug-Food:

Availability

(Generic available)

Route/Dosage

Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

US Brand Names

Tarceva

Action

  • Inhibits the enzyme tyrosine kinase, which is associated with human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR); blocks growth stimulation signals in cancer cells.
Therapeutic effects:
  • Decreased spread of lung or pancreatic cancer with increased survival.

Classifications

Therapeutic Classification: antineoplastics

Pharmacologic Classification: enzyme inhibitors

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: 60% absorbed; bioavailability to 100% with food.

Distribution: Unknown.

Protein Binding: 93% protein bound.

Metabolism/Excretion: Mostly metabolized by the liver, primarily by the CYP3A4 isoenzyme. 83% excreted in feces (<1% as unchanged drug) and 8% excreted in urine (<1% as unchanged drug).

Half-Life: 36 hr.

Time/Action Profile

(plasma concentrations)

ROUTEONSETPEAKDURATION
POunknown4 hr24 hr



Patient/Family Teaching

Pronunciation

er-LO-ti-nib