Tarceva dosage: Form, strengths, how to take, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Tarceva dosageMedically reviewed by Heather Bruce, PharmD — By Jennifer Mitri Williamson, Pharm.D. on August 13, 2022 OverviewTarceva (erlotinib) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pancreatic cancer in adults. Tarceva comes as a tablet that you swallow. It belongs to a class of drugs called kinase inhibitors. Tarceva is available in a generic form called erlotinib. Dosage summary The following chart summarizes Tarceva’s dosage. Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s best for you.Tarceva formStrengthTypical dosageoral tablet• 25 milligrams (mg)• 100 mg• 150 mg• for NSCLC: 150 mg per day• for pancreatic cancer: 100 mg per day For information about the dosage of Tarceva, including its strengths and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Tarceva, see this article. Tarceva dosage Before you start treatment with Tarceva, your doctor will recommend the best dosage for your condition. Tarceva form Tarceva comes as an oral tablet. Tarceva strengths Tarceva comes in three strengths:25 milligrams (mg)100 mg150 mg Typical dosages The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. Dosage for non-small cell lung cancer The recommended dosage of Tarceva for non-small cell lung cancer is 150 mg once per day. You should take your dose on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after you eat food. Dosage for pancreatic cancer The typical dosage of Tarceva for pancreatic cancer is 100 mg once per day. You should take your dose on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after you eat food. If you’re taking Tarceva for pancreatic cancer, your doctor will recommend taking it in combination with the drug Infugem (gemcitabine). Long-term treatment Tarceva is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Tarceva is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term. Most people take this medication until their cancer worsens or until they have serious side effects from the medication that cause them to stop taking it. Factors that can affect your dosage The Tarceva dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:the type of condition you’re using Tarceva to treatother medications you takeif you smoke cigarettes Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Tarceva dosage. Dosage adjustments In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you take a lower dose of Tarceva. This may occur if you are taking certain medications called CYP3A4 inhibitors. An example of this type of drug is the antifungal medication ketoconazole. In addition, it’s possible that your doctor may recommend that you take a higher dose of Tarceva than usual. This may occur if:You smoke cigarettes.You’re taking another medication that’s a CYP3A4 inducer. Examples of these drugs include Rimactane (rifampin) and Tegretol (carbamazepine). Before starting Tarceva, tell your doctor if you take any other medications or smoke. Based on these factors, they will recommend the best dosage of Tarceva for you. How to take Tarceva Tarceva is an oral tablet that should be taken by mouth once per day. This medication should be taken on an empty stomach. So, be sure to take your dose at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does. If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Tarceva in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles. Missed dose If you miss your dose of Tarceva, talk with your doctor or pharmacist to determine when to take your next dose. In some cases, they may recommend taking your next dose on an empty stomach as soon as possible. However, other times, they may recommend skipping your missed dose and taking your next dose when it’s due. To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone. Tarceva and overdose It’s important that you don’t take more Tarceva than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose. If you take more than the recommended amount of Tarceva Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Tarceva. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room. Takeaway and helpful resources The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Tarceva for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you. As with any drug, never change your dosage of Tarceva without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Tarceva that’s best for you, talk with your doctor. Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Tarceva. These additional articles might be helpful to you:More about Tarceva. For information about other aspects of Tarceva, refer to this article.Details about your condition. For details about your condition, see our:lung cancer hub and list of lung cancer articleslist of pancreatic cancer articlescancer hub and list of cancer articles Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Last medically reviewed on August 13, 2022Lung CancerPancreatic CancerCancer / OncologyPharmacy / PharmacistDrugsMedically reviewed by Heather Bruce, PharmD — By Jennifer Mitri Williamson, Pharm.D. on August 13, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageLumakras dosageMedically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA Lumakras is a prescription drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. Learn about the drug’s dosage, form, strength, and more.READ MOREFemara dosageMedically reviewed by Amber R. 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