Product Information
Registration Status: ActiveALVOCEVA FILM-COATED TABLETS 100MG is approved to be sold in Singapore with effective from 2020-11-19. It is marketed by LOTUS INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD, with the registration number of SIN16045P.
This product contains Erlotinib 100mg in the form of TABLET, FILM COATED. It is approved for ORAL use.
This product is manufactured by Remedica Ltd in CYPRUS.
It is a Prescription Only Medicine that can only be obtained from a doctor or a dentist, or a pharmacist with a prescription from a Singapore-registered doctor or dentist.
Product Reference
Important Note: For generic product, the SPC/PIL provided may not be brand specific.
{{/items}} {{^items}}Description
Erlotinib hydrochloride (trade name Tarceva, Genentech/OSIP, originally coded as OSI-774) is a drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and several other types of cancer. Similar to gefitinib, erlotinib specifically targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase. It binds in a reversible fashion to the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding site of the receptor. Erlotinib has recently been shown to be a potent inhibitor of JAK2V617F activity. JAK2V617F is a mutant of tyrosine kinase JAK2, is found in most patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and a substantial proportion of patients with idiopathic myelofibrosis or essential thrombocythemia. The study suggests that erlotinib may be used for treatment of JAK2V617F-positive PV and other myeloproliferative disorders.
Indication
For the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer after failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. Also for use, in combination with gemcitabine, as the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Mechanism of Action
The mechanism of clinical antitumor action of erlotinib is not fully characterized. Erlotinib inhibits the intracellular phosphorylation of tyrosine kinase associated with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Specificity of inhibition with regard to other tyrosine kinase receptors has not been fully characterized. EGFR is expressed on the cell surface of normal cells and cancer cells.
Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption
- Erlotinib is about 60% absorbed after oral administration and its bioavailability is substantially increased by food to almost 100%. Peak plasma levels occur 4 hours after dosing. The solubility of erlotinib is pH dependent. Solubility decreases pH increases. Smoking also decrease the exposure of erlotinib.
- Distribution
- Apparent volume of distribution = 232 L
- Metabolism
- Metabolism occurs in the liver. In vitro assays of cytochrome P450 metabolism showed that erlotinib is metabolized primarily by CYP3A4 and to a lesser extent by CYP1A2, and the extrahepatic isoform CYP1A1.
- Elimination
Clearance
Smokers have a 24% higher rate of erlotinib clearance.
Toxicity
Symptoms of overdose include diarrhea, rash, and liver transaminase elevation. The most common adverse reactions (>50%) in NSCLC are rash, diarrhea, anorexia and fatigue. The most common adverse reactions (>50%) in pancreatic cancer are fatigue, rash, nausea and anorexia.
Active Ingredient/Synonyms
[6,7-Bis-(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-quinazolin-4-yl]-(3-ethynyl-phenyl)-amine | Erlotinib |
Source of information: Drugbank (External Link). Last updated on: 3rd July 18. *Trade Name used in the content below may not be the same as the HSA-registered product.