Patient Leaflet Updated 03-Mar-2026 | Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd
Tyverb film-coated tablets
Tyverb® 250 mg film-coated tablets
lapatinib
1. What Tyverb is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Tyverb
3. How to take Tyverb
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Tyverb
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Tyverb is used to treat certain types of breast cancer (HER2-overexpressing) which have spread beyond the original tumour or to other organs (advanced or metastatic breast cancer). It may slow or stop cancer cells from growing, or may kill them.
Tyverb is prescribed to be taken in combination with another anti-cancer medicine.
Tyverb is prescribed in combination with capecitabine, for patients who have had treatment for advanced or metastatic breast cancer before. This previous treatment for metastatic breast cancer must have included trastuzumab.
Tyverb is prescribed in combination with trastuzumab, for patients who have hormone receptor-negative metastatic breast cancer and have had other treatment for advanced or metastatic breast cancer before.
Tyverb is prescribed in combination with an aromatase inhibitor, for patients with hormone sensitive metastatic breast cancer (breast cancer that is more likely to grow in the presence of hormones), who are not currently intended for chemotherapy.
Information about these medicines is described in separate patient information leaflets. Ask your doctor to give you information about these other medicines.
Your doctor will run tests to check that your heart is working properly before and during your treatment with Tyverb.
Tell your doctor if you have any heart problems before you take Tyverb.
Your doctor also needs to know before you take Tyverb:
Your doctor will run tests to check that your liver is working properly before and during your treatment with Tyverb.
Tell your doctor if any of these apply to you.
Serious skin reactions have been seen with Tyverb. Symptoms may include skin rash, blisters and skin peeling.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you get any of these symptoms.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes herbal medicines and other medicines you bought without a prescription.
It is especially important to tell your doctor if you are taking, or have recently taken any of the following medicines. Some medicines may affect the way Tyverb works or Tyverb may affect how other medicines work. These medicines include some medicines in the following groups:
Tell your doctor if you are taking, or have recently taken, any of these.
Your doctor will review the medicines you are currently taking to make sure you are not taking something that can’t be taken with the Tyverb. Your doctor will advise you whether an alternative is available.
Don’t drink grapefruit juice while you are being treated with Tyverb. It can affect the way the medicine works.
The effect of Tyverb during pregnancy is not known. You should not use Tyverb if you are pregnant unless your doctor specifically recommends it.
It is not known whether Tyverb passes into breast-milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Tyverb and for at least 5 days after the last dose.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking Tyverb if you are unsure.
You are responsible to decide if you are able to drive a motor vehicle or perform other tasks that require increased concentration. Because of the possible side effects of Tyverb, your ability to drive or operate machines could be affected. These effects are described in section 4, ‘Possible side effects’.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re not sure.
Your doctor will decide on the correct dose of Tyverb depending on the type of breast cancer being treated.
If you are prescribed Tyverb in combination with capecitabine, the usual dose is 5 Tyverb tablets a day, as a single dose.
If you are prescribed Tyverb in combination with trastuzumab, the usual dose is 4 Tyverb tablets a day, as a single dose.
If you are prescribed Tyverb in combination with an aromatase inhibitor, the usual dose is 6 Tyverb tablets a day, as a single dose.
Take the prescribed dose every day for as long as your doctor tells you to.
Your doctor will advise you about the dose of your other anti-cancer medicine, and how to take it.
While you are taking Tyverb
Contact a doctor or pharmacist immediately. If possible, show them the pack.
Don’t take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Just take the next dose at the scheduled time.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
A severe allergic reaction is a rare side effect (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) and may develop rapidly.
Symptoms may include:
Tell your doctor immediately if you get any of these symptoms. Don’t take any more tablets.
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
Tell your doctor if any of these side effects get severe or troublesome.
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
In most cases, the effect on your heart will not have any symptoms. If you do experience symptoms associated with this side effect, these are likely to include an irregular heartbeat and shortness of breath.
Tell your doctor if you get any of these symptoms.
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Other uncommon side effects include:
Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
The frequency of some side effects is not known (it cannot be estimated from the available data):
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet.
Reducing the risk of diarrhoea and skin rash
Tyverb can cause severe diarrhoea
If you suffer from diarrhoea while taking Tyverb:
Tell your doctor if your diarrhoea continues.
Tyverb can cause skin rash
Your doctor will check your skin before and during treatment.
To care for sensitive skin:
Tell your doctor if you get a skin rash.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister or bottle and the carton.
Do not store above 30ºC.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Tyverb film-coated tablets are oval, biconvex, yellow film-coated, with ‘GS XJG’ marked on one side.
Tyverb is supplied in either blisters packs or bottles:
Blister packs
Each pack of Tyverb contains 70 or 84 tablets in aluminium foil blisters of 10 or 12 tablets each. Each foil has a perforation down the middle and can be divided into two blisters with 5 or 6 tablets in each, depending on the pack size.
Tyverb is also available in multipacks containing 140 tablets that comprise 2 packs, each containing 70 tablets.
Bottles
Tyverb is also available in plastic bottles containing 70, 84, 105 or 140 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:
This leaflet was last revised in 03/2026
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