If you’ve been diagnosed with a certain kind of lung cancer, your doctor might suggest Tagrisso as a treatment option for you.

Tagrisso is a prescription medication that’s used to treat certain kinds of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that have EGFR gene mutations.

The active ingredient in Tagrisso is osimertinib. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

The sections below describe the dosages of Tagrisso, as well as its strengths and how to take the drug. To learn more about Tagrisso, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Tagrisso’s typical dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when using Tagrisso, always take the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

The information below provides typically prescribed dosages of Tagrisso.

What is the form of Tagrisso?

Tagrisso comes as tablets that you’ll swallow.

What strengths does Tagrisso come in?

Tagrisso is available in two different strengths:

  • 40 milligrams (mg)
  • 80 mg

What are the typical dosages of Tagrisso?

Your doctor will start you with a certain dosage of Tagrisso to see how you do with treatment. If you have side effects from taking the drug, it’s possible they may recommend a dose reduction. (For more information, see the “Dosage adjustments” section below.) Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the dosage that’s safe and effective for you.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

For all types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that Tagrisso is used to treat, the starting dose is 80 mg. You’ll take this dose by mouth once each day.

Is Tagrisso used long term?

Yes, Tagrisso is used long term for certain kinds of NSCLC. Depending on your situation, you may take the drug for up to 3 years.

For more information about how long you’ll take Tagrisso, talk with your doctor.

Dosage adjustments

Depending on certain factors, you may need a dosage adjustment for Tagrisso. These include:

* For more about the side effects that Tagrisso may cause, see this article.

If you have a history of long QT syndrome, tell your doctor. They may suggest a different treatment option for your NSCLC.

Also tell your doctor about any side effects you have from taking Tagrisso. Your doctor may pause or stop Tagrisso treatment altogether if you develop serious side effects. Or they may have you take the drug at a lower dose and monitor you for side effects. You’ll continue taking Tagrisso as long as it’s safe and effective for you.

If you’re taking certain medications that decrease how well Tagrisso works, your doctor may increase your dosage of Tagrisso up to 160 mg. Tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking. They’ll let you know if you need any Tagrisso dosage adjustments. They’ll also discuss whether you need to pause or stop taking your other medications during Tagrisso treatment.

If you miss a dose of Tagrisso, don’t take a double dose of Tagrisso to make up for a missed dose. Instead, continue with your regular daily dosing schedule.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Tagrisso on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Don’t take more Tagrisso than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.

What to do in case you take too much Tagrisso

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Tagrisso. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosage of Tagrisso you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

  • other drugs you’re taking
  • other conditions you may have (see “Dosage adjustments” under “What is Tagrisso’s dosage?”)

Tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking and conditions you have. Having this information will help them prescribe the right dosage of Tagrisso for your NSCLC.

Typically, you’ll take Tagrisso by mouth once daily with or without food. It’s best to take your dose at about the same time every day.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, try these steps:

  1. Drop a Tagrisso tablet in a glass containing 2 ounces of still water. (Don’t use sparkling water.)
  2. Stir until the tablet breaks into smaller pieces.
  3. Drink the entire contents of the glass immediately.
  4. Pour another 4 to 8 ounces of water into the glass, and drink the entire amount.

For information on Tagrisso expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

  • have large print or use braille
  • feature a code that you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Tagrisso in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also have some tips that can help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

The sections above describe the typical dosages of Tagrisso provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends this drug to you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you shouldn’t change your dosage of Tagrisso without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Tagrisso exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Do Tagrisso side effects depend on my dosage?
  • If I have side effects with Tagrisso, will my dosage change?
  • Will a lower dosage of Tagrisso still be effective for my type of lung cancer?

Q:

Can I restart Tagrisso at a different dosage after stopping treatment with this drug?

Anonymous

A:

If you have serious side effects while taking Tagrisso, it’s possible that your doctor may pause your treatment until your symptoms decrease. An example is long QT syndrome, which is a heart rhythm problem.

Once your symptoms go away, your doctor may have you start taking Tagrisso again. They might recommend that you take your original dose or a lower dose (40 mg) of the drug.

If you have questions about your Tagrisso dosage while taking Tagrisso or after you’ve stopped treatment, talk with your doctor.

Dena Westphalen, PharmDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.