Tagrisso (osimertinib)

Targeted therapy pill (EGFR inhibitor) · Used for: Lung cancer

💊 Taken by mouth · Targeted therapy pill (EGFR inhibitor)

Cliff notes

What it is: Targeted therapy pill (EGFR inhibitor).

How it's given: A pill taken by mouth once a day, with or without food.

How it works: Some lung cancers have a change (mutation) in a gene called EGFR that drives growth. Tagrisso blocks the faulty EGFR signal. It only works for cancers with certain EGFR mutations, which is why biomarker testing matters.

Common side effects and what helps at home

Side effect	What can help
Diarrhea	Drink fluids and ask about anti-diarrhea medicine.
Rash, dry skin, acne-like rash	Use thick moisturizer and sunscreen.
Nail changes and sore skin around nails	Keep nails short and hands moisturized.
Mouth sores	Rinse with salt and baking soda water.
Tiredness	Pace yourself.
Low blood counts	Your team will check blood tests.

Not everyone gets these. Your team may suggest other ways to manage them.

Call your care team now if you have:

New or worse cough, shortness of breath or fever (possible lung inflammation)
Fast or pounding heartbeat, fainting, or swelling in your legs
Eye pain, redness or vision changes
Severe skin reaction with blisters or peeling
Fever, frequent infections, bruising or bleeding easily, or extreme tiredness (rare but serious low blood counts)
Red or purple spots on the skin (possible blood vessel inflammation)

Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain or signs of stroke.

🗓 What to expect

1️⃣ Before you start

Ask your team for a written schedule and an after-hours phone number.
A biomarker test showing an EGFR mutation.
Bring a list of all your medicines and supplements.

2️⃣ Each day on treatment

Take it exactly as prescribed, at about the same time each day.
Don't crush or split pills unless your team says it's OK.
If you miss a dose, follow the label instructions or call your pharmacist.

3️⃣ Between doses

Watch for the side effects below and use the checklist.
Keep up with blood tests and visits.
Call your team for anything in the red box.

✅ Side-effect checklist

Print this and check off what you notice so you can tell your team.

Side effect	Noticed?	Notes for my team
Diarrhea	☐
Rash, dry skin, acne-like rash	☐
Nail changes and sore skin around nails	☐
Mouth sores	☐
Tiredness	☐
Low blood counts	☐

Help paying for Tagrisso

Official manufacturer program:

AstraZeneca Access 360: Benefits checks and copay savings for commercially insured patients; AZ&Me referral for those in need.

Copay cards are usually only for people with commercial (job or marketplace) insurance. If you have Medicare or Medicaid, look at free-drug programs and these independent foundations:

PAN Foundation: Copays and coinsurance, including for people with Medicare, when a disease fund is open.
HealthWell Foundation: Grants for copays, deductibles and premiums when a fund is open.
CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation: Help with treatment copays for insured people under income limits.
Good Days: Copay help and some travel costs.
NeedyMeds: Free database of assistance programs, open to anyone.

📋 Medicare: Pills you take at home are usually covered by Medicare drug coverage (Part D). Part B covers some cancer drugs taken by mouth if the same drug comes in an injectable form. See Medicare and your cancer drugs.

More: Our guide to paying for cancer treatment.

🏷 Tips from the maker's patient site

If you can become pregnant, you'll have a pregnancy test before starting. Use birth control during treatment and for 6 weeks after your last dose; men with partners who could become pregnant also need birth control.

Summarized in our words from tagrisso.com, which follows the FDA-approved patient information.

💬 What experts are saying

In this OncLive discussion, a lung cancer doctor says tiredness and diarrhea are the side effects that matter most for people taking Tagrisso after surgery. Doctors may lower the dose or change the schedule so people can stay on treatment, so tell your team early instead of stopping on your own.

Source: Managing Osimertinib Toxicity and Treatment Adherence in Adjuvant EGFR-Mutated NSCLC (OncLive, September 14, 2026)

An oncologist and an oncology nurse practitioner talk about watching for skin, stomach and lung side effects with EGFR-targeted drugs. They say spotting problems early, patient education and supportive care help people avoid breaks in treatment.

Source: Adverse Effect Management in EGFR+ NSCLC (OncLive, February 27, 2026)

❓ Questions to ask your doctor

What is the goal of this treatment for me?
How will we know if it's working?
Which side effects should I call about right away, and what number do I call after hours?
Which medicines, vitamins or supplements should I avoid?
Will this affect my ability to work, drive or care for my family?
What will this cost me, and who can help me with coverage?

Support groups

LUNGevity: Patient education, support groups and survivorship programs
GO2 for Lung Cancer: Helpline, biomarker testing support and navigation
CancerCare: Free counseling, support groups and financial help
Cancer Support Community: Support groups, a helpline and the MyLifeLine online community

Common questions

How does Tagrisso work?

It blocks EGFR, a growth signal in lung cancers with certain EGFR mutations.

What are the most common Tagrisso side effects?

Diarrhea, rash, dry skin, nail changes, mouth sores and tiredness are among the most common in the FDA label.

Can I take Tagrisso with food?

The label says it can be taken with or without food. Follow your team's instructions.

📄 The official FDA label for Tagrisso, including its patient information section, is on DailyMed.

Written by the Cancer Side Effects Guide team from FDA labels and leading cancer centers. Not medical advice. · Last updated: October 15, 2026 · How we write

Not medical advice. This page is general information to help you talk with your care team. It can't replace advice from your doctor or nurse. If you have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher during treatment, or any symptom that worries you, call your care team now. In an emergency, call 911.