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Tarceva (erlotinib)
Starting Tarceva can bring up a lot of questions, for you and for the people who love you. Here you'll find what to expect, how to feel your best day to day and where to get help, so you can focus on your life and time together.
ℹ️ General information to help you and your loved ones talk with your care team, not medical advice. Read our disclaimer.
Targeted therapy pill (EGFR inhibitor) · Used for: Lung cancer
💊 Taken by mouth · Targeted therapy pill (EGFR inhibitor)
The quick guide
What it is: Targeted therapy pill (EGFR inhibitor).
How it's given: Tablets or capsules by mouth once a day on an empty stomach.
How it works: Tarceva blocks the EGFR signal in lung cancers with EGFR exon 19 deletions or L858R mutations.
Side effects you may notice, and what helps at home
| Side effect | What can help |
|---|---|
| Diarrhea (loose, watery stools) | Fluids, bland food; ask your team about anti-diarrhea medicine early. |
| Dermatitis (skin rash and skin changes) (Acne-like rash and dry skin) | Thick fragrance-free moisturizer, sunscreen, gentle soap. |
| Sore skin around nails | Tell your care team; they can help. |
| Mucositis (mouth sores) | Soft toothbrush and salt-and-baking-soda rinses. |
| Dysgeusia (taste changes and appetite loss) (Decreased appetite) | Small, frequent meals; try tart or seasoned foods. |
| Fatigue (extreme tiredness) | Short walks and planned rest. |
Not everyone gets these. Your team may suggest other ways to manage them.
Call your care team now if you have:
- New or worse cough, shortness of breath or fever (possible lung inflammation)
- Severe or ongoing diarrhea
- Eye pain or vision changes
- Severe skin reaction with blisters or peeling
Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain or signs of stroke.
🗓 What to expect
1️⃣ Before you start
- Ask your team for a written schedule and an after-hours phone number.
- Bring a list of all your medicines and supplements.
2️⃣ Each day on treatment
- Take it exactly as prescribed, at about the same time each day.
- Don't crush or split pills unless your team says it's OK.
- If you miss a dose, follow the label instructions or call your pharmacist.
3️⃣ Between doses
- Watch for the side effects below and use the checklist.
- Keep up with blood tests and visits.
- Call your team for anything in the red box.
✅ Side-effect checklist
Print this and check off what you notice so you can tell your team.
| Side effect | Noticed? | Notes for my team |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea (loose, watery stools) | ☐ | |
| Dermatitis (skin rash and skin changes) | ☐ | |
| Sore skin around nails | ☐ | |
| Mucositis (mouth sores) | ☐ | |
| Dysgeusia (taste changes and appetite loss) | ☐ | |
| Fatigue (extreme tiredness) | ☐ |
Help paying for Tarceva (erlotinib)
Tarceva (erlotinib) is made by Genentech (Roche).
Official manufacturer program:
- Genentech Access Solutions: Insurance help, copay assistance and the Genentech Patient Foundation for free medicine.
Copay cards are usually only for people with commercial (job or marketplace) insurance. If you have Medicare or Medicaid, look at free-drug programs and these independent foundations:
- PAN Foundation: Copays and coinsurance, including for people with Medicare, when a disease fund is open.
- HealthWell Foundation: Grants for copays, deductibles and premiums when a fund is open.
- CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation: Help with treatment copays for insured people under income limits.
- Good Days: Copay help and some travel costs.
- NeedyMeds: Free database of assistance programs, open to anyone.
📋 Medicare: Pills you take at home are usually covered by Medicare drug coverage (Part D). Part B covers some cancer drugs taken by mouth if the same drug comes in an injectable form. See Medicare and your cancer drugs.
More: Help from drug makers · Our guide to paying for cancer treatment.
❓ Questions you and your loved ones can ask
- What is the goal of this treatment for me?
- How will we know if it's working?
- Which side effects should I call about right away, and what number do I call after hours?
- Which medicines, vitamins or supplements should I avoid?
- Will this affect my ability to work, drive or care for my family?
- What will this cost me, and who can help me with coverage?
Support for you and your family
- LUNGevity: Patient education, support groups and survivorship programs
- GO2 for Lung Cancer: Helpline, biomarker testing support and navigation
- CancerCare: Free counseling, support groups and financial help
- Cancer Support Community: Support groups, a helpline and the MyLifeLine online community
Questions people often ask
How does Tarceva work?
Tarceva blocks the EGFR signal in lung cancers with EGFR exon 19 deletions or L858R mutations..
How is Tarceva given?
Tablets or capsules by mouth once a day on an empty stomach.
📄 The official FDA label for Tarceva (erlotinib), including its patient information section, is on DailyMed.
Written by the Cancer Side Effects Guide team from FDA labels and leading cancer centers. Not medical advice. · Last updated: October 15, 2026 · How we write