Tykerb 250 mg (Lapatinib)

Descriptions

Tykerb 250 mg is used in combination with capecitabine to treat advanced or metastatic (cancer that has already spread) HER2-receptor-positive breast cancer in patients who have received other cancer treatments (eg, anthracycline, taxane, trastuzumab) that did not work well.

Tykerb 250 mg is also used together with letrozole to treat postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor-positive and HER2-receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Tykerb 250 mg belongs to the group of medicines called antineoplastics (cancer medicines). It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal cells may also be affected by the medicine, other unwanted effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor.

Use of Tykerb 250 mg

Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Take the tablet at least 1 hour before or 1 hour after a meal. All of the tablets are taken together as one dose.

Tykerb 250 mg is given together with capecitabine or letrozole. It is important that you take each medicine at the right time. Follow your doctor’s instructions on when to take these medicines.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

How lapatinib (Tykerb 250 mg) works

Tykerb 250 mg is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). It works by blocking the action of specific proteins called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). HER2 and EGFR are both found on normal and cancer cells, and they play a role in cell growth.

In certain cancers, the cancer cells have more HER2 and EGFR proteins than normal cells. When these proteins are blocked by lapatinib (Tykerb), cancer cells can’t grow and spread as well.

Dosing of Tykerb 250 mg

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For advanced or metastatic breast cancer with capecitabine:
    • Adults—1250 milligrams (mg) or 5 tablets taken together as a single dose once a day for 21 days. Your doctor may tell you to repeat the 21-day cycle.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For metastatic breast cancer with letrozole:
    • Adults—1500 milligrams (mg) or 6 tablets taken together as a single dose once a day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage of Tykerb 250 mg

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. It may also cause birth defects if the father is using it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. Female patients should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for 1 week after the last dose. Male patients who have female partners should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for 1 week after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Serious heart problems can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you are having a fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat, troubled breathing, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, a loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Check with your doctor right away if diarrhea occurs while you are using this medicine. You may need medicines to help manage or prevent the diarrhea.

FAQS:

1.Can Tykerb 250 mg treat any type of breast cancer?

No. Although there are many different types of breast cancer, lapatinib (Tykerb) is used to treat certain HER2-positive metastatic breast cancers. Your provider will perform a biopsy or surgery to help figure out the receptor type of your cancer. Knowing what type of receptor your cancer has will help them decide which treatment options to consider. Using lapatinib (Tykerb) also sometimes depends if you’ve tried other treatments for your cancer already. Discuss with your provider to see if lapatinib (Tykerb) is right for you.

2.How long do I need to take Tykerb 250 mg for?

It depends on your situation, so your care team will talk with you about how long you’ll need to take lapatinib (Tykerb). Typically, people take lapatinib (Tykerb) for as long as they’re seeing benefits from the medication (preventing the cancer from growing). But if you don’t tolerate the medication well, experience certain side effects like severe diarrhea, or your provider determines the medication is causing liver or heart problems, discuss with your care team about what this means and if you should continue taking lapatinib (Tykerb). Don’t stop taking lapatinib (Tykerb) without talking with your healthcare provider first.

3.What can I do to help with diarrhea that I get from Tykerb 250 mg?

If you experience diarrhea from Tykerb 250 mg you can help manage this side effect by watching what you eat and drink. Avoid spicy and greasy foods. Eating frequent, small, bland meals can also help, but it’s best to follow this eating pattern for short periods of time since it doesn’t provide enough nutrients for your overall health. Also make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, broth, or sports drinks each day. In addition, you can lower your risk of skin irritation around the anus by cleaning the area with warm water and letting it dry completely. Let your provider know if you develop diarrhea.

4.Is lapatinib Tykerb 250 mg a kind of chemotherapy?

Tykerb 250 mg  is not a chemotherapy medication. Chemotherapy is a class of medication that kills cancer cells in your body. Tykerb 250 mg doesn’t kill cancer cells but instead slows or stops cancer cell growth.

5.Is it safe to breastfeed while taking Tykerb 250 mg?

Breastfeeding isn’t recommended while you’re taking Tykerb 250 mg. We don’t know if the medication can pass into breast milk, but it could cause serious harm to nursing infants if it does. Because of this risk, you shouldn’t breastfeed during Tykerb 250 mg treatment and for 1 week after your last dose. Talk with your provider if you have any questions about breastfeeding or other ways to feed your baby while taking Tykerb 250 mg.