This page contains brief information about erlotinib hydrochloride and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, research results, and ongoing clinical trials.
FDA label information for this drug is available at DailyMed.
Use in Cancer
Erlotinib hydrochloride is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is metastatic and has certain epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations. It may be used:
- As first-line therapy.
- In patients on maintenance therapy or whose disease has gotten worse after treatment with chemotherapy.
The use of erlotinib hydrochloride to treat NSCLC that does not have the EGFR gene mutations is no longer FDA-approved.
- Pancreatic cancer. It is used with gemcitabine hydrochloride in patients whose disease cannot be removed by surgery or has metastasized.
Erlotinib hydrochloride is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
More About Erlotinib Hydrochloride
Definition from the TCH Drug Dictionary – Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.
MedlinePlus Information on Erlotinib Hydrochloride – A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:
- warnings about this drug,
- what this drug is used for and how it is used,
- what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
- what you should know about this drug before using it,
- other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
- possible side effects.
Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.
