Tykerb questions for mom

[DonnaNY]

Hi all, My mom maybe put on Tykerb, Doc wants to see her latest Pet scan, but she has some questions, how big are the pills ? she is terrified of swallowing big pills , can the pills be broken or crushed? She would have to take it 5 times a day , do you have to take the pills with food? Also of those here who have been on Tykerb, did you continue on Herceptin too? and what were your experiences with this drug? She and I would appreciate any info you could provide. I thank you all so much. God bless


Donna

[gldouglas]

Hi Donna- I recently started the treatment of Tykerb and Xeloda. I take 5 pills once a day in the morning on an empty stomach. The pills are a good size so I normally take two or 3 at once and swallow slow. From documentation it states not to crush them, I believe they are to be taken whole and that is how I take them. I was on herceptin but now Tykerb takes the place of herceptin and I take the pills everyday with no break. Definately take on an empty stomach and wait about 1 hr min before eating a meal after taking it. So far no real SEs other than some acid reflux and some occassional gas. Some of my SEs might be from the Xeloda that I am on as well. Hope this info helps a little.

[hutchibk]

She will take 5 pills once a day. I take mine at night at bedtime on empty stomach. You are not supposed to break them. I used to have a hard time swallowing pills, too, but once dxed with bc, I somehow got over the hump and now have no problem at all. I take them all at once, sometimes. CRAZY, I know, especially for someone who used to spit out more pills and vitamins than she ever was able to get down...

I am on Tykerb and Herceptin. But I was on Tykerb with Xeloda first (for 18months), which is the FDA approved combination. Tykerb with Herceptin is still in trials. Some of us who have had progression on Tykerb/Xeloda are able to get Tykerb with Herceptin, but it's not the first Tykerb combo that they will put her on, I believe.

In my case, once we added the Herceptin in with Tykerb (and dropped Xeloda) - I had to drop the number of Tykerb I was taking to 4 from 5. Five was causing me to have uncontrollable diarrhea, so we pulled back a little. I have done fantastic on both combinations, and couldn't be happier.

[Believe51]

Donna, how are things going for Mom? Thinking about you both and sending you two powerful healing thoughts.>>Believe51

[Ceesun]

My onc just upped me to the full 5 pills 2 days ago in combo with xeloda. Ceesun

[Believe51]

Donna, how is Mom making out?? Please let us know whenever you get a moment.>>Believe51