Cancer Treatment Tarceva Side Effects What to do when this cancer medication causes a rash on your scalp By Lisa Fayed Lisa Fayed Lisa Fayed is a freelance medical writer, cancer educator and patient advocate. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 21, 2022 Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Doru Paul, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Tarceva (erlotinib) is an oral medication drug commonly prescribed in combination with chemotherapy for advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. The drug works by targeting a protein—called the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)—that fuels cancer cell growth. Unfortunately, there can be very serious side effects of this drug, but some of the most common side effects of Tarceva include: Loss of appetiteFatigueCoughDiarrheaSkin rashScalp rash Though some of these side effects can indicate that the treatment is working, it is vital to not interpret things like the severity of the rash as an indicator of how well your body is responding. Notify your healthcare provider immediately if you begin to develop any of the above side effects or if they begin to worsen. Win McNamee / Getty Images What Does a Tarceva Scalp Rash Look Like? Similar in appearance to acne, the rash can appear all over the body, and that includes the scalp. You may also experience all or some of the following: Dry, cracked or flaky scalpPimple-like sores, boils or pustulesItchinessPainful swellingBurning or redness For those suffering from a rash caused by Tarceva, the dry, pimple-like boils on the skin and scalp can be itchy and painful. Some people may develop severe rashes that require more aggressive medical intervention. Keep your oncology nurse and healthcare provider updated about your rash and notify them immediately of any new symptoms or if the rash is getting worse. It is also vital to talk to your healthcare provider or nurse before using any over-the-counter or herbal treatment, even if it is a shampoo or lotion. Your oncology nurse can usually recommend products that are best for your personal needs. How to Treat a Scalp Rash Caused By Tarceva A Tarceva rash is not acne and should not be treated as such. For mild to moderate scalp rashes caused by taking Tarceva, you may find relief by: Using over-the-counter shampoos for dry scalps, such as Tea Tree oil-based shampoos Not taking Tarceva with food, as it may make the rash worse Avoiding sun exposure Asking your healthcare provider to prescribe a shampoo Capex, Olux, and Nizoral are commonly prescribed shampoos. The healthcare provider also may prescribe a mild corticosteroid cream (such as hydrocortisone) or antibiotic gel (such as clindamycin) to put on the rash Asking your healthcare provider about decreasing your dosage amount of Tarceva; do not decrease the amount on your own Medication When your scalp has sores or pustules, there is a concern about an infection developing, especially if you are scratching. There is also the chance that once the sores are healed, the scars may block hair growth later. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to treat the sores or an oral and/or topical antibiotic to help prevent infection from occurring. Antibiotics may not help prevent the rash from forming, but it may help with the severity. Most importantly, you should not stop taking your medication just because you develop a scalp rash. Always check with your healthcare provider first. 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Tarceva (erlotinib) tablets. OSI Pharmaceuticals, LLC. Most serious and common side effects. Tarceva (erlotinib) tablets. OSI Pharmaceuticals, LLC. Tips for managing your treatment with Tarceva. American Cancer Society. Side Effects of Targeted Cancer Therapy Drugs. 2019. Additional Reading Wacker B, Nagrani T, Weinberg J, Witt K, Clark G, Cagnoni PJ. Correlation between development of rash and efficacy in patients treated with the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib in two large phase III studies. Clin Cancer Res. 2007;13(13):3913-21. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-06-2610. By Lisa Fayed Lisa Fayed is a freelance medical writer, cancer educator and patient advocate. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit