Tarceva
INDICATIONS
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
TARCEVA monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer after failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimen.
Results from two, multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized, Phase 3 trials conducted in first-line patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC showed no clinical benefit with the concurrent administration of TARCEVA with platinum-based chemotherapy [carboplatin and paclitaxel or gemcitabine and cisplatin] and its use is not recommended in that setting.
Pancreatic Cancer
TARCEVA in combination with gemcitabine is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
The recommended daily dose of TARCEVA is 150 mg taken at least one hour before or two hours after the ingestion of food. Treatment should continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs. There is no evidence that treatment beyond progression is beneficial.
Pancreatic Cancer
The recommended daily dose of TARCEVA is 100 mg taken at least one hour before or two hours after the ingestion of food, in combination with gemcitabine (see the gemcitabine package insert). Treatment should continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs.
Dose Modifications
In patients who develop an acute onset of new or progressive pulmonary symptoms, such as dyspnea, cough or fever, treatment with TARCEVA should be interrupted pending diagnostic evaluation. If ILD is diagnosed, TARCEVA should be discontinued and appropriate treatment instituted as necessary (see WARNINGS - Pulmonary Toxicitysection).
Diarrhea can usually be managed with loperamide. Patients with severe diarrhea who are unresponsive to loperamide or who become dehydrated may require dose reduction or temporary interruption of therapy (see PRECAUTIONS - Renal Failure section). Patients with severe skin reactions may also require dose reduction or temporary interruption of therapy.
When dose reduction is necessary, the TARCEVA dose should be reduced in 50 mg decrements.
In patients who are taking TARCEVA with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor such as, but not limited to, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, troleandomycin (TAO), voriconazole, or grapefruit or grapefruit juice, a dose reduction should be considered if severe adverse reactions occur.
Pre-treatment with the CYP3A4 inducer rifampicin decreased erlotinib AUC by about 2/3 to 4/5. Use of alternative treatments lacking CYP3A4 inducing activity is strongly recommended. If an alternative treatment is unavailable, an increase in the dose of TARCEVA should be considered as tolerated at two week intervals while monitoring the patient's safety. The maximum dose of TARCEVA studied in combination with rifampicin is 450 mg. If the TARCEVA dose is adjusted upward, the dose will need to be reduced immediately to the indicated starting dose upon discontinuation of rifampicin or other inducers. Other CYP3A4 inducers include, but are not limited to rifabutin, rifapentine, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital and St. John's Wort. These too should be avoided if possible (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY-Interactions and PRECAUTIONS - DRUG INTERACTIONS sections).
Erlotinib is eliminated by hepatic metabolism and biliary excretion. Therefore, caution should be used when administering TARCEVA to patients with hepatic impairment. Dose reduction or interruption of TARCEVA should be considered if severe adverse reactions occur (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY - Special Populations - Patients With Hepatic Impairment, PRECAUTIONS - Patients With Hepatic Impairment, and ADVERSE REACTIONS sections).
HOW SUPPLIED
The 25 mg, 100 mg and 150 mg strengths are supplied as white film-coated tablets for daily oral administration.
TARCEVA® (erlotinib) Tablets, 25 mg: Round, biconvex face and straight sides, white film-coated, printed in orange with a “T” and “25” on one side and plain on the other side. Supplied in bottles of 30 tablets (NDC 50242-062-01).
TARCEVA® (erlotinib) Tablets, 100 mg: Round, biconvex face and straight sides, white film-coated, printed in gray with “T” and “100” on one side and plain on the other side. Supplied in bottles of 30 tablets (NDC 50242-063-01).
TARCEVA® (erlotinib) Tablets, 150 mg: Round, biconvex face and straight sides, white film-coated, printed in maroon with “T” and “150” on one side and plain on the other side. Supplied in bottles of 30 tablets (NDC 50242-064-01).
Storage
Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15° - 30°C (59° - 86°F). See USP Controlled Room Temperature.
Manufactured for: OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc., Melville, NY 11747. Manufactured by: Schwarz Pharma Manufacturing, Seymour, IN 47274. Distributed by: Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080-4990. For further information please call 1-877-TARCEVA (1-877-827-2382). Rev. 03/07. FDA revision date: 4/27/2007
Generic Name: Erlotinib
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