Let's take a minute to talk about your medication.  

This is Erlotinib. It helps to treat certain types of cancer, like lung and pancreatic cancer. 

It is often taken one time daily on an empty stomach. This means you should take each dose at least 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after. You should take it exactly as your doctor tells you to.  

Many patients will have side effects. You may feel tired or weak, so wait until you know how it affects you before doing activities that require you to be alert, like driving. It can also cause a rash, diarrhea, decreased appetite, or nausea and vomiting. Some people may have shortness of breath or a cough. You should tell your doctor right away if you have these or any side effects. They could be a sign of a more serious condition. 

As with any medicine, rare but serious side effects could occur. With Erlotinib, this includes lung, kidney, stomach, and liver problems. It can also cause a serious skin reaction and eye problems. You should read the Patient Information Sheet to know which symptoms to watch for and when to report changes. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow your condition closely and may order blood tests.  

Erlotinib can interact with other medicines. You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medicines. Also, do not smoke cigarettes. 

Erlotinib can harm unborn babies. Women must talk to their doctors about which birth control methods to use and for how long. Women should not breastfeed. 

For best results with Erlotinib, work closely with your doctor to manage side effects.