Erlocent 100mg Tablet

Uses of Erlocent 100mg Tablet

• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Pancreatic cancer

How does Erlocent 100mg Tablet work?

Erlocent 100mg Tablet works by inhibiting the activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein, which is found on the surface of cells and is involved in the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. When EGFR is activated, it sends signals to the inside of the cell to grow and divide. Erlocent 100mg Tablet binds to the EGFR and prevents it from activating, thereby inhibiting the growth and proliferation of cancer cells.

Side Effects of Erlocent 100mg Tablet

​​Like all medications, Erlocent 100mg Tablet can cause side effects but does not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them.​

Common Side Effects of Erlocent 100mg Tablet

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Gas
• Heartburn
• Mouth sores
• Constipation
• Headache
• Weight Loss
• Muscle or bone pain
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Hair loss
• Swelling of hands, feet, arms, lower legs or ankles
• Changes in nail and hair appearance
• ​Sudden chest pain
• Severe stomach pain
• Vision problems
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Kidney or liver problems
• Rash
• Cough
• Peeling, blistering, cracked, or dry skin
• Itching
• Tenderness
• Burning of the skin
• Fever
• Ingrown eyelash
• Pain in the neck, upper back, or arms
• Difficult or slow speech
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Dry mouth
• Dark urine
• Yellow or pale skin

Quick Suggestions:

• Engaging in regular physical activity, such as gentle exercises like walking or swimming for 20-30 minutes, can help strengthen muscles, reduce fatigue, aid in weight loss, and improve overall strength.
• Practicing yoga and other relaxation techniques can improve physical and mental health, reduce stress levels, and promote overall well-being.
• Regular low-strain exercises and a healthy diet can help maintain a healthy weight, which is beneficial for overall health.
• Getting enough sleep is important for improving health, mental ability, and attention. Aim for a good night's sleep to support your well-being.
• Engage in activities that help you de-stress, such as meditation, reading books, taking warm baths, or listening to soothing music.
• Include foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, and dark chocolate, in your diet. These foods help combat oxidative stress and promote overall health.
• Foods containing fiber, such as beans, peas, lentils, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, aid in better digestion and should be included in your diet.
• It is advisable to avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption while taking erlotinib, as they can interfere with the effectiveness of the medication.
• Erlotinib can make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Apply sunscreen or wear protective clothing when going out to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
• Do not take erlotinib with medications that lower stomach acid, such as antacids or H2 blockers like ranitidine, as they may affect the working of the medicine.
• Inform your doctor if you experience ulceration in your mouth, changes in vision, or any respiratory symptoms such as a worsening cough, shortness of breath, or breathing difficulties while taking erlotinib.
• Your doctor may recommend regular blood tests to monitor your liver function while undergoing treatment with erlotinib.
• Use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while taking erlotinib and for one month after stopping the medication, as it can cause fetal harm.
• Erlotinib should not be taken if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or breastfeeding. Consult your doctor for alternative options in these situations.

Indication

​​Non-small cell lung cancer: Erlocent 100mg Tablet is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer, which is a type of lung cancer that affects a large number of cells in the lung. The symptoms include persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, hoarseness, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue

​Pancreatic Cancer: Erlocent 100mg Tablet is used in combination with gemcitabine for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include abdominal pain, jaundice, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

Pharmacology

Erlotinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor/human epidermal growth factor receptor type 1 (EGFR/HER1) tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It reversibly inhibits the kinase activity of EGFR, preventing autophosphorylation of tyrosine residues associated w/ the receptor, thereby inhibiting further downstream signaling and resulting in cell death.

Dosage & Administration of Erlocent 100mg Tablet

• ​Take this medicine on an empty stomach, one hour before food or two hours after food.
• It is best to take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than directed.
• If you have trouble swallowing the Erlocent 100mg Tablet, you may crush the tablets and mix the powder with a small amount of water.
• Drink the mixture immediately. You should take theErlocent 100mg Tablet at the same time each day to help you remember to take it.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
• Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
• Do not stop taking the Erlocent 100mg Tablet without first consulting your doctor.

Interaction

Drug-Drug Interactions:

• Blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin): Erlotinib may increase the risk of bleeding when used with these medications.
• Anti-hypertensive medicines (amlodipine, metoprolol, nifedipine): There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure when used concomitantly with erlotinib.
• Heart medicines (quinidine, statins): Certain statins may increase the levels of erlotinib in the body, potentially leading to increased side effects.
• Immunosuppressants (cyclosporine): Concurrent use with erlotinib may affect the metabolism of cyclosporine, requiring monitoring of cyclosporine levels.
• Antibiotics (erythromycin, telithromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin, ciprofloxacin): These antibiotics may affect the metabolism of erlotinib, potentially altering its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.
• Anti-fungal medicines (itraconazole, voriconazole, ketoconazole): These antifungal medications may affect the metabolism of erlotinib, potentially altering its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.
• Mental illness medicines (triazolam, alprazolam, estazolam, primidone, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine): These medications may affect the metabolism of erlotinib, potentially altering its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.
• Anti-HIV medicines (saquinavir, ritonavir): Concurrent use with erlotinib may affect the metabolism of these anti-HIV medications, requiring dosage adjustments or careful monitoring.
• Erectile dysfunction medicine (sildenafil): Co-administration with erlotinib may increase the risk of sildenafil-related side effects.
• Antiulcer medicines (omeprazole, ranitidine): These medications may affect the absorption of erlotinib, potentially reducing its effectiveness.

Drug-Food Interactions:

• Alcohol: Consumption of alcohol should be avoided or limited during treatment with erlotinib, as it may increase the risk of liver toxicity and other adverse effects.
• St. John's wort: Concurrent use of St. John's wort with erlotinib should be avoided, as it may reduce the effectiveness of erlotinib.
• Grapefruit: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may affect the metabolism of erlotinib, potentially altering its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Erlotinib may interact differently or require special consideration in patients with the following conditions:

• Hypothyroidism
• Cardiovascular disease
• Bone marrow suppression
• Liver or kidney disease
• Fluid retention
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Stomach ulcer or bleeding
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Undergoing chemotherapy

It's important to note that these interactions may vary depending on individual circumstances, dosages, and other factors. It's always best to consult with a healthcare professional or pharmacist for personalized advice and recommendations regarding specific interactions with erlotinib.

Contraindications

If you are allergic to erlotinib or any of the ingredients of Erlocent 100mg Tablet.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Based on animal data and the mechanism of action of erlotinib, it has the potential to cause harm to a developing fetus if administered to a pregnant woman. Therefore, it is important to advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with erlotinib and for at least one month after the last dose.

Regarding lactation, there is no available data on the presence of erlotinib in human milk or its effects on breastfed infants or milk production. However, due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants, such as interstitial lung disease, hepatotoxicity, bullous and exfoliative skin disorders, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with thrombocytopenia, ocular disorders, and diarrhea, it is advised that lactating women do not breastfeed during treatment with erlotinib and for two weeks after the final dose.

It's important for healthcare professionals to provide this information and guidance to pregnant women and lactating women who are considering or undergoing treatment with erlotinib

Precautions & Warnings

• It is necessary to undergo regular blood tests to monitor liver function and blood cells while taking erlotinib.
• Erlotinib can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. It is important to protect your skin by using a high sun protection factor (SPF) and taking precautions to avoid excessive sun exposure. Failure to do so may result in a skin rash.
• It is recommended to take erlotinib with food and a full glass of water to help prevent nausea.
• Erlotinib may cause swelling and water retention. If you experience unexpected rapid weight gain, it is important to consult your doctor.
• While on erlotinib treatment and for up to 12 months afterward, it is advised to avoid immunizations with live vaccines, such as those for mumps, rubella, measles, BCG, yellow fever, shingles, or chickenpox.
• If you experience any signs of infection, including a temperature above 37.5°C or below 36°C, it is important to contact your doctor immediately.
• Erlotinib therapy should be carefully managed during pregnancy and lactation. If the patient develops unexplained pulmonary symptoms or interstitial lung disease is diagnosed, treatment should be interrupted or discontinued. Monitoring of liver function is crucial, particularly in cases of hepatic impairment. Dehydration should be avoided, and renal function and electrolytes should be monitored. Severe bullous and exfoliative skin disorders, ocular disorders, and gastrointestinal perforation require interruption or discontinuation of erlotinib.
• Close monitoring is necessary for patients with cardiovascular disorders during erlotinib treatment. If taking warfarin or other coumarin-derivative anticoagulants, prothrombin time and INR should be monitored.
• The excretion of erlotinib in breast milk is unknown, and its use during lactation is not recommended.

Storage Conditions

This medication should be kept in a cool dry place and in its original packaging. Make sure this medication remains unreachable to children and pets.