Overview Introduction Erlocip 150 Tablet is used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. Erlocip 150 Tablet should be taken on an empty stomach or should be taken one hour before or 2 hour after meal. You should continue to take it as long as your doctor advises it. The duration of treatment varies according to your needs and response to treatment. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, rash, and weight loss. It may cause severe diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids or consult with your doctor if it bothers you. It makes you sensitive towards sunlight, hence wear protective clothing or use sunscreen while going out. In case you develop ulceration in mouth, changes in your vision, or breathing difficulties than it is better to inform the doctor. Your doctor may advise for regular monitoring of liver function while you are taking this medicine. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy. It is advised to quit smoking while taking this medicine as it can affect the working of the medicine. If you have to take an antacid or any other medicine, take it at a gap of at least 2 hours after taking the cancer medicine. Uses of Erlocip Tablet Non-small cell lung cancer Pancreatic cancer Side effects of Erlocip Tablet Most side effects do 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 Erlocip Abdominal pain Bone pain Breathlessness Constipation Cough Diarrhea Fatigue Fever Infection Muscle pain Nausea Rash Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth) Vomiting Weight loss How to cope with side effects? The occurrence of side effects varies from person to person. The following are a few ways of dealing with some of the common side effects. However, consult your doctor if these persist. Coping with Abdominal pain In most cases, this is mild enough to be treated at home. Try to rest and relax. Putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help. Having a warm bath or shower can help you relax and relieve the pain. Drink plenty of clear fluids such as water and reduce your intake of coffee, tea, lemon juice or soda. Avoid alcohol and smoking as these can aggravate the pain. Eating slowly and having smaller and more frequent meals can also help. If the pain is severe, speak to your doctor. They may be able to guide you better. Coping with Bone pain Try to keep your joints moving. Get some gentle exercise like walking or cycling. Using hot and cold treatments on the joints can help reduce pain temporarily. Concentrate on your breathing when you are in pain. Try to get enough sleep. Practice some relaxation techniques or mediation. Avoid smoking as it can worsen your condition. Losing weight can make a big difference to the amount of pain. Ask your doctor to recommend some suitable painkillers if the pain bothers you or does not go away. Coping with Breathlessness Control your breaths by breathing in slowly through your nose and breathing out through your mouth. Sitting on a chair and leaning your chest slightly forward may also help. Increase the flow of air around you by opening windows or using a fan. Try to learn breathing techniques and do regular physical exercise. Wearing loose clothing around your waist and chest may also be helpful. Your breathing will usually return to normal within a few weeks of starting the medicine. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or get worse. Shortness of breath can also be a sign of an ongoing or worsening heart problem. Coping with Constipation Try to eat foods which are high in fiber such as fresh fruits, vegetables and cereals to increase the bulk and consistency of bowel movements. Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic drinks and stay hydrated to promote healthy digestion. Increasing physical activities such as walking, yoga and regular exercise can also be helpful. If your condition does not improve, you can ask your doctor to prescribe you laxative medicine. Coping with Cough Get plenty of rest as exhausting or stressing out yourself could aggravate your condition. You should drink plenty of fluids as it will keep your throat moist and comfortable. Try taking steam inhalation. The moisture can ease your breathing and loosen mucus. You can consider sipping warm water or tea with honey and lemon. This will keep your nose and throat from being too dry. Using an air humidifier may also help. You can also gargle with salt water several times a day. See your doctor if your symptoms last longer than 3 weeks or get worse quickly. Avoid alcohol and do not smoke as they can aggravate your conditions. Coping with Diarrhea Keep up your intake of fluids and electrolytes (sugars and salts) to avoid getting dehydrated. Eat less fiber (avoid raw fruits, fruit juice and vegetables). Talk to your doctor about possible medication to manage diarrhea. Ask about reducing the dosage of your drug or other suitable treatments. Coping with Infection If you have a low level of white blood cells, you are more likely to get infections. There are several ways to reduce your chances of catching or spreading an infection. Avoid unnecessary exposure to germs when you can. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap or use a sanitiser. Avoid crowds and avoid contact with people who are ill or have infections. Use disposable tissues for coughs and sneezes. Consider using an appropriate face mask. Do not share personal items like cutlery, glasses, towels or toothbrushes with others. Get enough rest and eat a well balanced healthy diet. Coping with Muscle pain Tell your doctor straight away because sometimes the muscle pain may be a sign of something more serious. A lower dosage or a different medication might be needed. Try to relax the cramping muscle by stretching it and holding the stretch. You might massage the muscle or apply a heat pad to the area after stretching. Avoid exercising too much. Stay well-hydrated. Do not take over-the-counter pain relievers unless the doctor prescribes it. Your doctor may also suggest taking supplements, such as calcium, magnesium oxide or potassium oxide depending on your needs. Coping with Nausea You can help yourself by eating small, frequent meals rather than large ones and drinking plenty of fluids. Eat slowly. Avoid fatty, fried, spicy and very sweet foods. Eat cold or slightly warm food if the smell of cooked or cooking food makes you feel sick. Get plenty of fresh air. You could also try chewing ginger or drinking ginger tea. Eat bananas to replace potassium in your blood which can drop if you are sick (vomit). Use oral rehydration salts to replace vitamins and minerals lost through being sick. There are some medicines that can help you stop from feeling sick. Speak to your doctor if your condition does not improve. Coping with Rash There are many treatments for a wide range of skin problems. Avoid hot showers or baths because hot water can irritate the skin. Make sure to pat dry your skin after a bath or shower. Do not rub or scratch the affected area. Leave the skin exposed to the air as much as possible. Do not use perfumed soaps or deodorants. Water containing chlorine can make most skin problems worse, so avoid swimming. Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, tobacco smoke and caffeine as it may also make itching worse. Avoid excessive sun exposure. Always use sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors. Moisturizers can be used regularly to soothe and hydrate the affected area. If it does not get better within a week, speak to a pharmacist or doctor. Coping with Vomiting You can help yourself by eating small, frequent meals rather than large ones and drinking plenty of fluids. Eat slowly. Avoid fatty, fried, spicy and very sweet foods. Eat cold or slightly warm food if the smell of cooked or cooking food makes you feel sick. Get plenty of fresh air. You could also try chewing ginger or drinking ginger tea. Eat bananas to replace potassium in your blood which can drop if you are sick (vomit). Use oral rehydration salts to replace vitamins and minerals lost through being sick. There are some medicines that can help you stop feeling sick. Speak to your doctor if your condition does not improve. Coping with Weight loss As a general rule, speak to your doctor if you lose weight while using this medicine. Losing too much weight can lead to malnutrition. Increase the amount of food you eat. Try eating foods that are high in calories and protein. Drink warm milk instead of tea every so often. Eat smaller meals and eat more often. There may be medicines and physical activities that can improve your condition.Speak to your doctor about this. show more show less How to use Erlocip Tablet Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Erlocip 150 Tablet is to be taken empty stomach. How Erlocip Tablet works Erlocip 150 Tablet is an anti-cancer medication. Epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) are expressed on the lung cancer cell surfaces that modulate their growth. This medicine works by binding the chemical messenger, EGFR, hence, inhibits the cancer signaling pathways mediated by EGFR. This is how it restricts further growth of the cancer cells. Safety Advice Alcohol CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Erlocip 150 Tablet. Please consult your doctor. Pregnancy CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR Erlocip 150 Tablet is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor. Breastfeeding CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR Erlocip 150 Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby. Driving CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR It is not known whether Erlocip 150 Tablet alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react. Kidney SAFE IF PRESCRIBED Erlocip 150 Tablet is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Erlocip 150 Tablet is recommended. Use of this medicine is not advised in patients with severe kidney disease. Liver CAUTION Erlocip 150 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Erlocip 150 Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Limited information is available on the use of Erlocip 150 Tablet in these patients. No dose adjustment is recommended in patients with mild to moderate liver disease. What if you forget to take Erlocip Tablet? If you miss a dose of Erlocip 150 Tablet, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
