Tykerb

Generic Name: lapatinib (la PA tin ib)

What is Tykerb?

Tykerb is a cancer medication.

Tykerb is used together with another medicine called capecitabine (Xeloda) to treat a certain type of advanced or metastatic breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is usually given after other cancer medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

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

Important information about Tykerb

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

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

Tykerb is usually taken together with another cancer medicine called capecitabine (Xeloda). Tykerb 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 dose at the same time each day.

Take Tykerb 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 Tykerb 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 this medicine, 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.

Before taking Tykerb

Do not use Tykerb if you are allergic to lapatinib.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take Tykerb, tell your doctor if you have:

heart disease;

liver disease; or

a personal or family history of “Long QT syndrome.”

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use Tykerb 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. It is not known whether lapatinib passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Tykerb without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Tykerb?

Take Tykerb exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

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

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

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

Tykerb is usually taken together with capecitabine in a 21-day cycle. Tykerb is given once daily for all 21 days in a row, and capecitabine is given twice daily for only the first 14 days of the cycle. This 21-day cycle is then repeated until your doctor decides that Tykerb is no longer an appropriate treatment for your condition. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Tykerb is usually continued unless your condition gets worse or you have serious side effects.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your liver function will need to be checked with blood tests on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Store Tykerb at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a Tykerb overdose may include severe diarrhea or vomiting.

What should I avoid while taking Tykerb?

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Tykerb and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Tykerb side effects

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 Tykerb 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 Tykerb 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 other drugs will affect Tykerb?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

cimetidine (Tagamet);

dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol);

rifabutin (Mycobutin);

rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);

rifapentine (Priftin);

St. John’s wort;

an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin) or telithromycin (Ketek);

an antifungal medication such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), or voriconazole (Vfend);

an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft);

a calcium channel blocker such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others;

HIV/AIDS medicine such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase); or

seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Tykerb. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.