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What is Tagrisso used for?

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 21, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Tagrisso (osimertinib) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has certain abnormal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) genes as detected by an FDA-approved test.

Tagrisso is used in adult patients:

  • whose tumors have EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations to help prevent lung cancer from returning after the tumor(s) has been removed by surgery.
  • whose tumors have EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations as a first-line treatment when the cancer is metastatic (has spread to other parts of the body).
  • whose tumors have EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations in combination with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy, as a first-line treatment when the cancer is locally advanced (has spread to nearby tissues) or metastatic.
  • whose tumors have EGFR T790M mutations when the lung cancer is metastatic and previous treatment with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) medicine did not work or is no longer working.

Tagrisso may harm a developing fetus and females of reproductive potential are advised to use effective contraception during treatment, and for six weeks after the final dose. Males with female partners of reproductive potential are advised to use effective contraception during treatment, and for four months after the final dose.

The most common side effects of Tagrisso as monotherapy include leukopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia (low white blood cell counts), thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts), anemia (low red blood cell counts), diarrhea, rash, musculoskeletal pain, nail toxicity, dry skin, stomatitis (mouth sores), and fatigue.

The most common side effects of Tagrisso when used in combination with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy include leukopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia thrombocytopenia, rash, diarrhea, stomatitis, nail toxicity, dry skin, and increased blood creatinine.

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