What are the side effects of Erlotinib?

Erlotinib (Erlotinib) is a targeted therapy drug commonly used to treat patients with non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. Despite its important role in cancer treatment, erlotinib, like other drugs, may cause a range of side effects. The severity of these side effects varies between individuals, but can have an impact on the patient's quality of life and treatment plan.

Here are some common and uncommon side effects that may occur with erlotinib:

1. Skin reactions: One of the most common side effects of erlotinib is skin reactions, including rash, itching, dryness, scaling, inflammation, and redness. This skin rash may appear a few weeks after treatment begins and is usually located on the face, chest, and back. Sometimes, these skin changes can affect a patient's appearance and self-esteem. Mild symptoms can be alleviated by moisturizing, avoiding harsh skin care products, and avoiding UV exposure. For severe symptoms, your doctor may consider suspending or adjusting the medication dose.

2. Diarrhea: Diarrhea is another common side effect that can be caused by medications affecting cells in the gastrointestinal tract. The severity of diarrhea can range from mild to severe, and sometimes medication or dietary modifications may be needed to reduce symptoms.

3. Nausea and Vomiting: Some patients may experience nausea and vomiting while taking erlotinib. These symptoms can appear early in treatment but usually lessen over time. Doctors may advise patients to eat small, frequent meals, avoid greasy or irritating foods, and use anti-nausea medications if needed.

4. Fatigue: Fatigue is one of the common side effects of cancer treatment and may also occur during use of erlotinib. Sufferers may feel extremely tired, lack energy, and even be unable to recover from rest. Proper rest, light physical activity, and psychological support may help relieve this symptom.

5. Abnormal liver function: Erlotinib may affect liver function, leading to abnormal liver function. While using the drug, doctors will regularly monitor the patient's liver function to ensure that the drug does not cause serious damage to the liver.

6. Eye problems: A small number of patients may experience eye problems such as dry eye, blurred vision, eye pain, or eye inflammation while taking erlotinib. If these problems occur, your doctor should be informed promptly so that appropriate evaluation and management can be performed.

7. Respiratory problems: Sometimes patients may experience difficulty breathing, coughing, or other respiratory problems during treatment. This may be due to inflammation of the lungs or other causes. If patients notice changes in their breathing, they should seek medical help immediately.

8. Increased risk of infection: Because the drug may affect the immune system, patients may be more susceptible to infections while taking erlotinib. They need to avoid contact with people who have contagious diseases and seek medical help if signs of infection appear.

9. Other rare side effects: In addition to the common side effects mentioned above, there are also some rare but potentially serious side effects, such as pneumonia, cardiovascular problems, abnormal kidney function, etc. If patients develop abnormal symptoms during treatment, they should communicate with their doctor in time.

In short, erlotinib, as a targeted therapy drug, may cause a variety of side effects during the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. Patients should pay close attention to their physical condition while using the drug and communicate with their doctor in a timely manner. Doctors will develop a personalized treatment plan based on the patient's condition to minimize side effects and provide effective cancer treatment.

Erlotinib has been launched in China and has been included in medical insurance. Patients can purchase it domestically. The domestic price ranges from about 700 to 1,000. The specification is 150mg*7 tablets. Due to different medical insurance policies in different places, the price is also different. Please consult the local pharmacy or medical insurance bureau for details. Erlotinib abroad is mainly an Indian generic drug, with a price of about 900 yuan. The specifications are divided into 100mg*30 tablets and 150mg*30 tablets, which are about four times the domestic specifications, but the price is similar to that in China.