Tykerb dosage: Form, strength, 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 Tykerb dosageMedically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD — By Jen Seabright, PharmD on June 3, 2022 OverviewTykerb (lapatinib) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Tykerb to treat:HER2+ breast cancer that’s advanced or metastatic. For this use, it’s prescribed with capecitabine (Xeloda).HER2+ breast cancer that’s hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and metastatic. For this use, Tykerb is prescribed with letrozole (Femara). Tykerb comes as an oral tablet. It belongs to a class of drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. There is currently no generic form of Tykerb available. Dosage summary The following chart summarizes Tykerb’s dosage.ConditionTykerb dosageHER2+ breast cancer that’s advanced or metastatic1,250 mg (five tablets) once dailyHER2+ breast cancer that’s HR+ and metastatic1,500 mg (six tablets) once daily For information about the dosage of Tykerb, including its strength and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Tykerb, including details about its uses and limitations, see this article. This article describes typical dosages for Tykerb provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Tykerb, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Tykerb dosage Below is important information about Tykerb’s dosage for its approved uses. Tykerb dosage form Tykerb comes as an oral tablet. Tykerb dosage strength Tykerb comes in a strength of 250 milligrams (mg). Typical dosages Typically, your dosage will depend on the specific type of breast cancer you’re taking Tykerb for. It also depends on what other medications your doctor prescribes with Tykerb. Your doctor may adjust your dosage over time if you develop side effects. 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 HER2 breast cancer that s advanced or metastatic The recommended dosage of Tykerb for HER2+ breast cancer that’s advanced or metastatic is 1,250 mg once daily. This consists of five 250-mg tablets taken once per day. You’ll take this dosage on days 1 to 21 of your treatment cycle. On Days 1 to 14, you’ll also take the chemotherapy drug capecitabine (Xeloda) with Tykerb. You’ll typically take capecitabine in two daily doses, 12 hours apart. You’ll repeat this 21-day treatment cycle for as long as Tykerb is safe and effective for you. Dosage for HER2 breast cancer that s HR and metastatic The recommended dosage of Tykerb for HER2+ breast cancer that’s hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and metastatic is 1,500 mg once daily. This consists of six 250-mg tablets taken once per day. For this use, you’ll take Tykerb along with letrozole (Femara), which you’ll also take once per day. Long-term treatment Tykerb is meant to be a long-term treatment. You’ll continue taking Tykerb as long as it is safe and effective. Factors that can affect your dosage The Tykerb dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:the type and severity of your HER2+ breast cancerwhat other medications you take with Tykerbside effects you experienceyour heart function and liver function Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Tykerb dosage. Dosage adjustments If you have liver problems, your doctor will likely prescribe a lower starting dosage of Tykerb than usual. This is because Tykerb has a boxed warning about the risk of liver damage. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). See “FDA warning” at the top of this article for details. Be sure to talk with your doctor about any liver problems you have before starting Tykerb treatment. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of Tykerb if:you have a heart problem called decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), oryou take certain drugs known as CYP3A4 inhibitors Also, if you take drugs known as CYP3A4 inducers, your doctor may prescribe a higher dosage of Tykerb than usual. Be sure to talk with your doctor about all of the medications you take before starting Tykerb treatment. How to take Tykerb You should take Tykerb once per day, 1 hour before or after a meal. You’ll take all of the tablets for your daily Tykerb dose at one time. If you’re taking Tykerb with capecitabine (Xeloda), you should take capecitabine within 30 minutes after eating a meal. Swallow Tykerb tablets whole. Don’t crush, chew, or break them in half. And, you should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Tykerb. It may be helpful to take Tykerb around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Tykerb can work effectively. 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 Tykerb in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles. Missed dose If you miss a dose of Tykerb, skip it and take your next dose at your regular time the next day. Do not double up on doses. 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. Tykerb and overdose If you take more Tykerb than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects. It’s important that you don’t take more Tykerb than your doctor advises. Symptoms of an overdose Overdose symptoms of Tykerb can include:a sore scalpincreased heart rateinflammation of mucous membranes (moist surfaces that line various body areas such as your mouth and throat)other severe side effects If you take more than the recommended amount of Tykerb Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Tykerb. 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 manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Tykerb 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 Tykerb without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Tykerb that’s right for you, talk with your doctor. Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Tykerb. These additional articles might be helpful to you:More about Tykerb. For information about other aspects of Tykerb, refer to this article.Side effects. To learn about side effects of Tykerb, see this article. You can also look at the Tykerb prescribing information.Drug comparison. Find out how Tykerb compares with Herceptin and Nerlynx.Details about breast cancer. For details about your condition, see our breast cancer hub and list of breast 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 June 3, 2022Breast CancerCancer / OncologyPharmacy / PharmacistDrugsMedically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD — By Jen Seabright, PharmD on June 3, 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 CoverageArimidex dosage Arimidex is a prescription drug used to treat certain types of breast cancer. Learn about the drug’s dosage, form, strength, and more.READ MORELumakras 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 MOREBiktarvy dosage Biktarvy is a prescription drug used to treat HIV. Learn about the drug’s dosage, form, strength, and more.READ MOREFemara dosageMedically reviewed by Amber R. Watson, PharmD Learn about the dosage for Femara in treating certain types of breast cancer. You can also find information on the drug’s strength, form, and more.READ MOREOcrevus dosage Ocrevus is a prescription drug used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). Learn about the drug’s dosages, form, strength, and more.READ MORE