Tykerb side effects??? Help, please

[Adriana Mangus]

Hi everyone;

I have been on tykerb for the last two months and have developed some type of skin rash.

The onc. prescribed minocycline (pills) and clindamycin (topical gel). When I picked up the meds I asked the pharmacist about these meds, she said that these meds are prescribed for patients with bacterial infection.

The onc said that he asked someone at the in-house cancer research department about my specific condition, and these meds were prescribed to patients that developed this type of side effect during clinical trial.

My question is: Does tykerb contains a bacteria that helps kill cancer cells?

Initially the onc said he was going to put me on predisone? however the next day he changed it to this.

I'm confused. I thought of asking you my friends.


Please respond. Thank you. Love,

[Julie2]

Adriana,

As far as I know Tykerb doesn't contain bacteria that help kill cancer cells.

Julie

[donocco5w4]

Adriana

I did some research at the City of Hope Library on Tykerb Acne. The lesions look very similar to acne but there are differences, mainly with Tykerb acne there are no blackheads (comedones) present. Tykerb blocks the Tyrosine Kinase Enzyme of the Erb1 receptor (Epidermal Growth Factor) and the Erb2 receptor (Her2Neu). It is the Erb1 blocking effect that seems to cause the acne like reactions as other Erb1 blocking drugs such as Gefinitib (Iressa) and, I believe, Cetuxamab, a monoclonal antibody also does this.

There are anecdotal reports of treating the Tykerb acne with standard anti-acne drugs (Such as Minocyclin) may have some benefit. Interestingly enough patients who develop the acne like reaction seem to do better on the drug.

Paul

[hutchibk]

Adriana - here's the info from the EGFR Therapy Rash wall chart that I transcribed last year... maybe it will give you some answers.

http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.o...12/5/610/DC1/2

*Employ a proactive approach in managing skin reactions.
*Suggest that patients use a thick, alcohol-free emollient cream.
*Suggest that patients use a sunscreen of SPF 25 or higher, preferably
containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
* If patient presents with rash, verify appropriate administration of drug and proceed with the following therapy algorithm:

Mild:
Minimally located
No impact on activities of daily life (ADL)
No sign of superinfection

(shows picture of mild rash occurrence across bridge of nose and cheeks)

Continue EGFR targeted treatment @current dose and monitor for change in severity.

topical hydrocortisone 1% or 2.5% cream and/or Clindamycin 1% gel

Reassess after 2 weeks, if reaction worsens or does not improve, proceed to next step.


Moderate:
Generalized
Mild Symptoms (e.g. pruritus, tenderness)
Minimal impact on ADL
No sign of superinfection

(shows picture of red worsened rash occurrence (pruritus) across nose, around nostrils, top lip, lower cheeks, and entire chin.)

Continue EGFR targeted treatment @current dose and monitor for change in severity. Continue treatment of the skin reaction with the following:

Hydrocortisone 2.5% cream or Clindamycin 1$ gel
or Pimecrolimus 1% cream
Plus Doxycycline 100mg BID or Monocycline 100mg BID

Reassess after 2 weeks, if reaction worsens or does not improve, proceed to next step.


Severe:
Generalized
Severe symptoms (e.g. pruritus, tenderness)
Significant impact on ADL
Potential sign of superinfection

(shows picture of worsened rash occurrence similar to moderate with more facial coverage and continuation to shoulders and neck)

Reduce EGFR targeted therapy as per label and monitor for change in severity. Continue treatment of skin reaction with the following:

Hydrocortisone 2.5% cream or Clindamycin 1$ gel
or Pimecrolimus 1% cream
Plus Doxycycline 100mg BID or Monocycline 100mg BID
Plus Medrol dose pack

Reassess after 2 weeks, if reaction worsens, dose interruption or discontinuation may be necessary.

[Joy]

Minocycline worked pretty well for me as I had developed an acne like rash. Also, sun exposure caused flare ups, so a good non-greasy sunscreen helped some too. I hope these things work for you!

[vickie h]

Adrianna, I tried a product called Suki facial moisture serum with carrot, myrrh and sandalwood. It cleared up the rash and acne like symptoms immediately. It is an amazing product and can usually be found at health food stores or you can google it to find out where to get it. It is so amazing that my Onc now tells all her patients about it when they start tykerb. You will love it, it is so soothing and healing. Love, Vickie

[CourtneyL]

Vickie H - Your advice was spot on! Thank you so much for your post. I've been on Tykerb for almost two weeks now and thought I was in the clear on the side effects thing until I developed a huge rash this past weekend. I remembered reading your post and promptly got myself some of the Suki stuff from Whole Foods and it is working wonders. Only two days of application and the rash is nearly gone. You are wonderful. Thank you SO much!

[vickie h]

Courtney, You are more than welcome! I'm so glad you got some of the oil. It is truly amazing and the only thing that works immediately (and it's all organic and natural). Everyone I know that has been on Tykerb has gone out and purchased some and the results are phenomenal. For anyone reading this PLEASE GET SOME SUKI OIL! Put it on twice, or more, times a day everyday. It only takes a drop or two. Love, Vickie

[hutchibk]

Fantastic advice VH! Thanks. Even though I don't suffer from the rash, it is always good to have more options...

[jml]

I've been on Tykerb for ~2 weeks now, keeping my fingers crossed & anxiously awaiting The Rash (as I've read about the correlation between rash & positive response to the drug).
When I first started Herceptin and on the 2 occassions I was on Gemzar, I broke out in a rash on my torso, on my belly from belly button down & shoulder blades.So, I thought I knew what to look for...

Just when I was starting to feel disappointed & nervous that I didn't have a rash yet, I noticed that my skin on/across my nose is starting to "break out". My first thought was that my sunscreen must be too oily for my skin & clogging my pores and that I must go to the drugstore, buy some Biore strips & new oil-free sunscreen.

Then I remembered that the "rash" is more like an acne...so I turned to all of you for guidance, and once again, my questions have been answered!
I have the Tykerb Rash
Brenda's post w/the link to the photos indicating mild/moderate/severe reactions are amazing-I can't believe the "moderate" patient let his rash/acne get to that point!

So now I'll plan my trip to Whole Foods for the Suki creme Vickie H suggested & the B6 pills for my hands & feet.

Oh, and 10 days into the new Tykerb/Xeloda combo , so far so good. Moderate diarrhea the first couple of days, but now just a gurggley, gassy belly & a little bathroom urgency but nothing horrifying. I'm pretty tired all the time, but can get through my day. And when I do lie down for a nap/sleep, I'm out like a light!

Thanks for all of your insight~

Jessica

[CourtneyL]

Hoping you do well on the T/X combo, Jessica! I got the acne thing two a few months into Tykerb and it ended up going away on its own. I got the rash twice and both times the Suki oil worked like magic.

Another suggestion that I just received from the nutritionist at my onc's office is to take Glutamine for the Xeloda digestion-related side effects. I add a spoonful to some juice in the morning and swish it in my mouth to help with mouth sores and then drink it up to help my digestive tract get back to normal. I really think it helps. B6 was another suggestion my nutritionist gave me and I've added that to my vitamin cocktail too.

Best to you!

[BarbM]

Went to Whole Foods today. I was confused. Apparently, Suki has changed the formula of Suki Facial Moisture Serum. It still has carrot, but they have removed the sandalwood and myrrh. It now also has evening primrose oil, grapeseed oil and rose extract. I just bought some today, and did some research online to be sure it was the right thing. Well, I will try it and hope it still works! I'll keep everyone posted!
~Barb

[Karen Wheel]

Wondering if this same cream would help with the rash I have been fighting from Radiation??? Anyone know?
Karen