Starting Tagrisso: What time of day do you take it? With food?

Posted by dragonspark @dragonspark, Nov 28, 2023

I will be starting Tagrisso soon. The pharmacy is sending it to me and I should receive it tomorrow. I am supposed to let my oncologist know when I start it.

The pharmacist told me to take it with or without food did but just be consistent. For those of you that take it, when do you take it? In the morning? When you go to bed? With food? Without?

Just curious for others experiences. I’m not sure if it’s true, but in another social media platform group I’m in, someone there claims cancer cells are more active while you sleep but I’m not sure I want to take it at night when I go to bed in case I have side effects.

Also, how quickly did you experience side effects and what were they? And what do you use to manage them?

Thanks!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

majoza | @majoza | Nov 7 5:10pm

Has he lost his taste buds? my mother has been on tagrisso for a couple of years and weight loss is our biggest problem.

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Nov 10 1:21pm

In reply to @majoza "Has he lost his taste buds? my mother has been on tagrisso for a couple of..." + (show)

Welcome to Mayo Connect @majoza. I take a different targeted therapy and I did experience a change in taste early in my treatment, but it resolved after a few months.
I'm sorry that your mother is experiencing this. Food can be such a joy for many people, it has to be difficult to force yourself to eat. I'm assuming that you've consulted with her oncologist, and possibly a dietitian.
There are many Connect members taking Tagrisso, but I haven't heard of this as a long-term side effect. Did her doctor indicate if this is more rare or are my anecdotal observations not correct?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 3 days ago

In reply to @majoza "Has he lost his taste buds? my mother has been on tagrisso for a couple of..." + (show)

@majoza, I'd like to add my welcome. I wonder if you might find some helpful tips about managing weight loss during treatment in this related discussion:

- Eating during cancer care
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/eating-during-cancer-care/
It's so hard to eat when one can't taste. Is your mom able to drink Ensure or other high calorie drinks? Have you talked with an oncology dietitian?

Matthew K | @flusshund | 2 days ago

In reply to @mmusselman01 "I am told because it went from my right to left lung it transferred through the..." + (show)

@mmusselman01, poppycock. Trials have restrictions to get solid, publishable results and set a baseline for future trials. That's why they typically look out for 3 years. Once they are more developed, they may look out for 5 years or more.

I'm still on Tagrisso after 4 years with no progression, and I have friends who have been on it for 7 and 8 years. I choose not to live my life by the odds but by hope, determination, and a sense of optimism.

Regarding nails, skin, and hair, I've increased my Biotin intake to 20 mg a day. As a result, my nails are stronger, my skin looks better, and my hair is growing like a weed! That's now my newest challenge, as I feel like I have to trim my nails every other day! My oncologist says that Biotin doesn't interact with anything I'm on (Tagrisso, Eliquis, prescription-strength Nexium, Fludrocortisone), but be sure to check with yours.

Maureen | @mmusselman01 | 2 days ago

In reply to @flusshund "@mmusselman01, poppycock. Trials have restrictions to get solid, publishable results and set a baseline for future..." + (show)

Thank you for the positive inspiration! I agree I have read so many peoples comments on being on this long term. I have also started Biotin and have had no nail issues. My biggest complaint is the dry skin. And if that is the worst of it I won’t complain. Thanks!