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Brand Names: Tykerb

Generic Name: lapatinib (Pronunciation: la PA tin ib)

• What is lapatinib (Tykerb)?
• What are the possible side effects of lapatinib (Tykerb)?
• What is the most important information I should know about lapatinib (Tykerb)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking lapatinib (Tykerb)?
• How should I take lapatinib (Tykerb)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Tykerb)?
• What happens if I overdose (Tykerb)?
• What should I avoid while taking lapatinib (Tykerb)?
• What other drugs will affect lapatinib (Tykerb)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is lapatinib (Tykerb)?

Lapatinib is a cancer medication.

Lapatinib is used together with another medicine called capecitabine (Xeloda) to treat a certain type of advanced breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Lapatinib is usually given after other cancer medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Lapatinib may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of lapatinib (Tykerb)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using lapatinib and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• uneven heart rate;
• extreme dizziness or fainting;
• severe diarrhea;
• dry cough, feeling short of breath;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include

• upset stomach, mild diarrhea;
• pain or redness on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet;
• tired feeling;
• dry skin;
• back pain; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about lapatinib (Tykerb)?

This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use lapatinib without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.

Before using lapatinib, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, liver disease, or a history of "Long QT syndrome."

Lapatinib is usually taken together with another cancer medicine called capecitabine (Xeloda). Lapatinib is given once daily for 21 days in a row, and capecitabine is given twice daily for only the first 14 days in a row. This 21-day cycle is then repeated, unless your condition gets worse or you have serious side effects.

The usual dose of lapatinib is equal to 5 tablets. You may swallow each tablet one at a time, but take the entire lapatinib dose at the same time each day.

Take lapatinib on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 1 hour after eating.

Be sure to also read the medication guide or patient instructions for capecitabine (Xeloda).

Stop using lapatinib and call your doctor at once if you have serious side effects such as severe diarrhea or vomiting, or uneven heart rate with extreme dizziness or fainting.

Before taking lapatinib, tell your doctor if you are also using antibiotics, ulcer medications, seizure medications, HIV or AIDS medications, herbal supplements, heart or blood pressure medication, or an antidepressant.