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Brand Names: Tykerb

Generic Name: lapatinib (Pronunciation: la PA tin ib)

• What is lapatinib (Tykerb)?
• What are the possible side effects of lapatinib (Tykerb)?
• What is the most important information I should know about lapatinib (Tykerb)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking lapatinib (Tykerb)?
• How should I take lapatinib (Tykerb)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Tykerb)?
• What happens if I overdose (Tykerb)?
• What should I avoid while taking lapatinib (Tykerb)?
• What other drugs will affect lapatinib (Tykerb)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is lapatinib (Tykerb)?

Lapatinib is a cancer medication.

Lapatinib is used together with another medicine called capecitabine (Xeloda) or letrozole (Femara) to treat a certain type of advanced breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Lapatinib is often given after other cancer medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Lapatinib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of lapatinib (Tykerb)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using lapatinib and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast or pounding heartbeats;
• extreme dizziness or tired feeling;
• feeling like you might pass out;
• severe diarrhea;
• dry cough, feeling short of breath;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• nosebleeds; or
• nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild diarrhea, upset stomach;
• pain or redness on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet;
• dry skin, mild rash;
• unusual hair loss; or
• problems with your fingernails or toenails.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about lapatinib (Tykerb)?

Before you take lapatinib, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, liver disease, an electrolyte imbalance (low potassium or magnesium), or a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.

To make sure you can safely take lapatinib, your heart function will need to be checked before you start treatment. Your liver function will need to be checked every 4 to 6 weeks during treatment.

Take lapatinib on an empty stomach.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor.

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