Tarceva and Rash: What Users Say

• hna...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 7, 2013

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2012. Due to her cancer, she got a disability in her left leg. She had one dose of radiation, and since November, she has been on the Tarceva tablet. Since then, she has been doing really well. Her reports have shown that the cancer has reduced, and apart from a rash, she doesn't get any other side effects. Hope all you cancer sufferers get well, and God gives you the power to fight it."

• Anonymous
• June 23, 2010

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "In September of 2009, I was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma that originated in the lung and had spread to my spine and had 9 lesions in my brain. The mass in my lung was 4.8 cm by 3.1 cm. My initial outlook was quite grim, however, after one round of radiation and 30 days of Tarceva, the cancer in the lung had shrunk by 30%. In April of 2010, the cancer had shrunk by 99%, and the lesions in my brain were down to 1. I have been able to return to work full-time with my only limitations being to avoid sun contact with my skin as much as possible. Since I am a police officer, I have a fitness test I take yearly, which includes a 1 1/2-mile run, which I was able to complete with 29 seconds to spare. The medication is GREAT, even with the rash!"

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2014

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My boyfriend has Stage IV Adenocarcinoma mets to lymph nodes and chest bones. Within 2 months of starting Tarceva (started with 150 mg, reduced to 100 mg), his scans showed 90% improvement! It is incredible. The only reason I do not give it a 10 rating is that one of the common side effects is a very bad rash. After 3 months, the rash has not subsided. It looks like a cross between measles, poison ivy, and bad acne. It itches and burns too. We have tried all kinds of treatments, OTC and prescription, and nothing seems to touch it."

• Anonymous
• October 13, 2011

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My 63-year-old mom was diagnosed with the EGFR gene mutation, stage IV lung cancer 4 months ago. The cancer was also in her brain, lung, and bone. Since Tarceva started, she has done extremely well. Her recent scan showed a 70% decrease of tumor size on the lung, the spot on the liver is gone, and the ones on her brain are slowly getting smaller, even with a direct hit of full brain radiation. She has had some side effects such as rash, which she was very annoyed with but went away, diarrhea which she still has, and recently stomach pain. Hoping it subsides."

• ldo...
• April 18, 2011

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "In March 11, 2011, I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. My oncologist prescribed Tarceva once a day, 150 mg. I had the normal side effects: diarrhea and rash. Both were controlled, the rash was treated with antibiotics, and the diarrhea just went away by itself. I understand this pill is a maintenance therapy pill. It seems to work well on me. Tomorrow, April 18, is my appointment, I had an X-ray yesterday. I still have to know the outcome, but I am already feeling well. I had thoracentesis before my diagnosis due to pleural effusion. Reading the posts here on this site gives me positive hope that Tarceva works well for patients with NSCLC."

• Anonymous
• March 9, 2009

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My mother started taking Tarceva after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. So far she is doing okay - very chilled and developed a rash on her face which they say is not uncommon. Took her off of it for a few days to clear up the rash and hopefully she can continue. Her cancer travelled to her brain so we had a few more setbacks but they tell us Tarceva has been known to help the brain in some cases just praying for the best."

• Mon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 17, 2015

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My mom was diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC in June 2014. He couldn't move her left side very well and like a stroke because her cancer was spread to the brain, she got radiation treatment (10 sessions), then she could walk herself. Her oncologist prescribed Tarceva 150 mg. She is still taking Tarceva until today, almost 9 months. She has the common side effects, rashes, loss of appetite, so that she lost weight a lot. But her tumor size has decreased a lot. I'm very worried about her because she is coughing these days when she drinks water or in the middle of a conversation. But she has improved a lot her condition. I hope she gets well soon and has a normal healthy life. Thanks for Tarceva."

• Sco...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 14, 2015

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "Our 88-year-old mother, a non-smoker, was diagnosed in November 2014 after having been breathless for 3 months. Tests showed Tarceva should be prescribed. She had a chest drain in place for 4 months while her 'magic pill' started working. Her side effects were a nasty, red, itchy rash on her face, broken skin on her fingertips, hair, and ongoing weight loss. Numerous body scans, MRIs, and bone scans have shown no cancer anywhere else, just a vast reduction in size of the original tumor within the lining of her left lung."

• Sco...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 14, 2015

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "Our 88-year-old mother, a non-smoker, was diagnosed in November 2014 after having been breathless for 3 months. Tests showed Tarceva should be prescribed. She had a chest drain in place for 4 months while her 'magic pill' started working. Her side effects were a nasty, red, itchy rash on her face, broken skin on her fingertips, hair, and ongoing weight loss. Numerous body scans, MRIs, and bone scans have shown no cancer anywhere else, just a vast reduction in size of the original tumor within the lining of her left lung."

• Ven...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2018

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My husband (non-smoker), 66 years old, diagnosed with NSCLC adenocarcinoma stage four with mets to bones, liver, and brain. His life expectancy was estimated to max 5 months. First, he was treated with a round of 8 radiations and had Gamma Knife for his brain lesion. After tests, he found an EGFR mutation gene, and he was prescribed Tarceva. His oncologist mentioned he was the perfect patient for this prescription, as he looked strong and healthy even at stage four. He convinced him that Tarceva would extend his life for at least a couple of years, so he decided to try his luck. He started Tarceva monotherapy and continued for five months. Unfortunately, he lived 3 months more than his original life expectancy, totaling 8 months after he was diagnosed. His last 6 months were a real nightmare. He was under severe pain 24/7, even with morphine painkillers. The skin rash was unbearable! The quality of his life during his last months was below zero. In my husband's case, Tarceva was a disaster!"

• Nat...
• August 26, 2017

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "I am 59, non-smoker, confirmed NSCLC. Found EGFR mutation gene, prescribed Tarceva. Skin rash and fatigue started within a week and continue to worsen. Have to stop after a month. I feel the drug is making me sick and causes a lot of pain and lower quality of life."

• Jmv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2024

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "I had lung cancer in February last year and had my upper lobe removed. Took UFT oral chemotherapy, the side effects were so bad. Then, last July, I found out the cancer spread to my spine, and I really had trouble sleeping or sitting because of the pain. So, I went on six radiation treatments, and quickly, the pain was gone. I felt so great, it seems like I don't have any cancer. Then my doctor prescribed me Tarceva 150 mg with Cyramza IV 500 ml. At first, I had diarrhea and high blood pressure, but I didn't bother at all. However, the skin rash was so bad, my face was covered with something that looks like poison ivy, severe acne where I thought my nose might fall off. I couldn't touch my skin, I was in so much pain and itchiness. They gave me antibiotics and steroids, but to no effect. But after two weeks, my CEA level from 6.9 went down to 1.6. For now, my doctor stopped Tarceva and will return to it when my skin heals, but to be honest, I don't want to anymore. It's so traumatic. Aside from the skin rash, it's really effective."

• Sol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2021

For Pancreatic Cancer "I have pancreatic head cancer since July 2016, was stage 4, so a palliative bypass was done, then put on chemo several times. Three months back, my CT showed progression for the first time rather than regression, so my doctor put me on Tarceva 100 mg. Unfortunately, I felt more weakness, anorexia, skin rash, nausea, belching, plus much increase in pains in my tummy and back. I don't know what to say...?!"