Tagrisso (osimertinib) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Tagrisso to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults in certain situations. The NSCLC must be epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive. This means the cancer cells contain versions of the EGFR protein that tell the cells to keep growing and spreading.

Tagrisso comes as an oral tablet. It belongs to a class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

There is currently no generic form of Tagrisso.

Dosage summary

The chart below summarizes Tagrisso’s dosage. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you.

SituationTypical dosage
adults with EGFR-positive NSCLC who have had surgery*80 mg once per day
adults with EGFR-positive NSCLC that has spread†80 mg once per day

* For this purpose, Tagrisso may be prescribed for up to 3 years. You’ll likely take the drug for as long as it’s safe and effective for your condition.
† For this purpose, you’ll likely take Tagrisso for as long as it’s safe and effective for your condition.

For information about Tagrisso’s dosing, including its strengths and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Tagrisso, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Tagrisso provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Tagrisso, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Below is information about Tagrisso dosages for its approved uses.

Tagrisso form

Tagrisso comes as an oral tablet.

Tagrisso strengths

Tagrisso comes in two strengths: 40 milligrams (mg) and 80 mg.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. If certain side effects happen, your doctor may make a dose reduction.

Tagrisso dosage for all uses

The typical dosage of Tagrisso is the same for all conditions it’s prescribed to treat.

For non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the usual dosage of Tagrisso is 80 mg once per day.

Long-term treatment

Tagrisso is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Tagrisso is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Dosage adjustments

Side effects can happen with Tagrisso. If these side effects are severe, your doctor may have you stop taking Tagrisso. Other times, your doctor may have you temporarily stop taking Tagrisso or take a lower dosage until your side effects are managed.

Some of these side effects can include:

Certain medications may interact with Tagrisso, which can make Tagrisso less effective. Your doctor may increase your dosage of Tagrisso to 160 mg if you take certain medications. Examples of these drugs include Rimactane (rifampin) and Dilantin (phenytoin). Before starting Tagrisso, talk with your doctor about other medications you take.

If you have questions about your dosage of Tagrisso, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you miss a dose of Tagrisso, take your next scheduled dose as usual. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

To help make sure you don’t miss a dose, 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.

Tagrisso is a tablet that you’ll usually swallow. You can take Tagrisso with or without food.

Typically, you’ll take Tagrisso once per day. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, Tagrisso can be mixed in plain, noncarbonated water. Do not crush the tablet or heat the mixture.

You should add one Tagrisso tablet to 60 milliliters (mL) of water. Stir the mixture until the tablet is in small pieces. It will not dissolve completely. Drink the mixture immediately. After, be sure to rinse the container with 120 mL to 240 mL (about one-half to 1 cup) of water and drink immediately.

Tagrisso can also be given through a nasogastric tube (a tube that goes from your nose into your stomach). Talk with your doctor for more information about this method of Tagrisso treatment.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Accessible drug labels and containers

If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Tagrisso in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

It’s important that you do not take more Tagrisso than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Tagrisso

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Tagrisso. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Tagrisso for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Tagrisso without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Tagrisso that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Tagrisso. These additional articles might be helpful to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.