Osimertinib

Common side effects include:

• Decreased appetite
• Take small, frequent meals throughout the day.
• Diarrhoea
• Drink plenty of clear fluids to replace those lost (2 litres everyday).
• Avoid oily or spicy food and milk or dairy products.
• Skin rash (may be acne-like), dry skin, itch
• Moisturize your skin daily.
• Avoid too much exposure to the sun as it may make the rash worse. Use sunscreen and covered clothing if you need to be under the sun for a long period of time.
• Nail changes – ridges (uneven surface), discolouration or redness and tenderness around the nail folds
• Keep your nails trimmed, clean and dry.
• Avoid contact with harsh chemicals e.g. detergent or dish-washing liquids. Wear gloves when you are doing household chores.
• Mouth sores
• Rinse your mouth after meals using alcohol-free mouthwash or salt water.
• Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush.
• Feeling tired or lack of energy
• Do not drive or operate machinery when you feel tired.

Rare but serious side effects include:

• Very bad diarrhoea (e.g. more than 4 times a day) that does not improve even after taking medications used to stop diarrhoea
• Sudden onset of cough, chest pain or shortness of breath, with fever
• Severe eye discomfort, sensitivity to light, blurred eyesight
• Fast or abnormal heartbeat, chest pain, swelling of the hands and feet, or sudden weight gain
• Unusual bleeding, bruising or black sticky stools
• Fever of 38° C and above, especially with chills, pain or difficulty in passing urine

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication
• You or your partner becomes pregnant or is planning for pregnancy. You should use effective birth control during and for at least
• 4 months after stopping Osimertinib (for men)
• 6 weeks after stopping Osimertinib (for women)
• You are breastfeeding
• Do not breastfeed during treatment
• You have any other medical conditions such as heart problems or eye problems

​Avoid taking grapefruit when you are taking this medication as grapefruit may interact with your medication and increase the risk of side-effects.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medication, supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies. Some of these may affect how Osimertinib works.

​You may refer to the following website if you need more information: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/