The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Rash (up to 85%)
- Diarrhea (up to 62%)
- Loss of appetite (up to 52%)
- Extreme tiredness (52%)
- Cough (48%)
- Difficulty breathing (up to 45%)
- Nausea (33%)
- Infection (24%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Dry skin
- Back pain
- Chest pain
- Itching
- Nail changes or infection
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Eye inflammation (pink eye)
Erlotinib serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Stroke: severe headaches, visual changes, sudden confusion, weakness on one side of the body, dizziness, trouble speaking or walking
- Serious lung problems: extreme tiredness, dry cough, trouble catching your breath (especially after an activity), fast and shallow breathing, chest discomfort
- Kidney problems: blood in the urine, painful urination, dark urine
- Liver damage: dark urine, right-sided stomach pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting
- Damage to the gut: fevers, chills, nausea, vomiting, feeling bloated, intense stomach pain
- Severe skin reactions: painful blisters, skin wounds, peeling skin, painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes
- Serious bleeds: bleeding or bruising that doesn’t stop or go away, large amount of bleeding, blood in the urine, throwing up blood, bloody or black and tarry stool
Source: DailyMed
The following Erlotinib side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Burning, tingling, numbness or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
cough or hoarseness
diarrhea (severe)
difficult or labored breathing
fever or chills
lower back or side pain
painful or difficult urination
rash (severe)
sensation of pins and needles
stabbing chest pain
tightness in the chest
Rare
Bloody or black, tarry stools
blurred vision
chest pain or discomfort
convulsions (seizures)
eye irritation or redness
inability to speak
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
severe stomach pain
slurred speech
sudden, severe chest pain
sudden, severe headache
sudden, severe weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body
sweating
vision changes
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Incidence not known
Agitation
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
bloody nose
burning feeling in the chest or stomach
burning upper abdominal or stomach pain
confusion
dark-colored urine
darkening of the skin
decreased urine output
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
headache
increased thirst
irregular heartbeat
lethargy
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
mood changes
muscle pain or stiffness
muscle twitching
nausea or vomiting
rapid weight gain
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
stomach pain, continuing
stupor
swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
tenderness in the stomach area
trouble breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Acid or sour stomach
belching
blemishes on the skin
bloated or full feeling
bone pain
burning, dry, or itching eyes
diarrhea (mild)
difficulty with moving
dizziness
excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
excessive tearing
fear
feeling sad or empty
feeling unusually cold
headache
indigestion
irritability
itching skin
joint pain
loss of interest or pleasure
nervousness
passing gas
rash, mild
redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
shivering
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
swelling
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
swollen joints
thinning of the hair
tiredness
trouble or inability to sleep
trouble with concentrating
Less common
Loosening of the fingernails
redness or soreness around the fingernails
Incidence not known
Brittle and loose nails
discharge, excessive tearing
increased hair growth, especially on the face
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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