Tips on managing side effects

Learn how to manage some of the the side effects of osimertinib when taken alone, with chemotherapy, or after chemoradiotherapy.

Treatment for lung cancer can be different from person to person. Depending on your stage of NSCLC and treatment plan, you may be taking osimertinib alone, with chemotherapy, or after chemoradiotherapy.¹ Find out more about these different treatment plans here.

On this page you can find out more about how to manage some of the possible side effects of your treatment. For a full list of side effects, please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet which can also be found inside the package of your medicine. You can also find out more about the side effects of osimertinib on the Potential side effects page or read advice for managing side effects in the 'Supporting your treatment journey' information booklet on the Resources page.

Click on the topics below to learn how you can manage some of the side effects that you may experience in your day-to-day life.

Diarrhoea is when you pass looser, watery or more frequent poo. This may come and go during treatment. If you have diarrhoea, remember to:^2,3

Drink plenty of fluids as this can help you stay hydrated

Try drinking small sips of water often

Speak to a pharmacist or your healthcare team about anti-diarrhoea medication

Avoid eating spicy or fatty food

Avoid drinking alcohol

You should tell your healthcare team if you have changes to your normal bowel habits. They may adjust or stop your osimertinib dose if you:

Have severe diarrhoea
Have diarrhoea for more than a couple of days while taking anti-diarrhoea medicine

If you are receiving chemotherapy, it may cause you to feel sick (nauseous) or be sick (vomit). Your doctor may give you some anti-sickness medicine to help stop or control sickness.³ You may find it helpful to:⁴

Prepare small meals, and eat little and often

Drink ginger or peppermint tea

Avoid eating hot, fried or greasy food

You should tell your healthcare team immediately if you continue to feel or be sick more than once in 24 hours. They can give you advice on what to do. If you are already taking anti-sickness medicine, they may change to a different one that works better for you.³

There are several different types of skin or nail problems that can occur when taking osimertinib, such as painful, itchy or dry skin, rash or redness around the fingernails.¹ Try the following tips below to help you manage these side effects:⁵

Wear gloves when washing the dishes

Have a shower with lukewarm water and avoid long, hot showers

Moisturise your skin and nails regularly

Avoid strongly perfumed products

Avoid long exposure to sunlight, especially during peak sunlight hours. Try wearing a hat in the sun and use suncream of SPF 30+

You should tell your healthcare team immediately if your skin or nail problems get worse, you have flu-like symptoms along with your skin reaction or if you have a skin reaction that is quickly spreading.¹

Osimertinib may cause inflammation of the mouth, also known as stomatitis.¹ It can cause mouth ulcers, be painful and cause swelling, so it is important to know how to manage these effects. This can include using a soft toothbrush, eating soft or moist foods or avoiding mouthwash that contains alcohol.⁶

Talk to your healthcare team if you are experiencing mouth sores. You should contact your healthcare team immediately if you have flu-like symptoms along with mouth ulcers.¹

You may feel like you do not want to eat, find it hard to eat big meals or not feel hungry. Try eating smaller meals more often or sip on drinks that are high in calories, such as milkshakes or fruit juices. Eat at times that work for you or in a place where you feel relaxed.⁷

Talk to your healthcare team if you are struggling with loss of appetite. They can give you more detailed advice on what to eat.⁸

Where can I find more information about side effects?

Learn more about the possible side effects of your treatment.

Watch some short videos about some of the side effects of osimertinib.

Watch now

This is not a complete list of side effects. Please read the Patient Information Leaflet inside the package of your medicine for a full list of side effects. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your healthcare team. They are here to help you through your treatment plan with osimertinib.

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References:

Tagrisso 40 mg and 80 mg film coated tablets. Patient Information Leaflet.
NHS Diarrhoea and vomiting. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/ Accessed October 2026.
Macmillan Cancer Support. Side effects of chemotherapy. Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatment/types-of-treatment/chemotherapy/side-effects-of-chemotherapy Accessed October 2026.
NHS Feeling sick (nausea). Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/feeling-sick-nausea/ Accessed October 2026.
Macmillan Cancer Support. Skin and nail changes from cancer treatment. Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/changes-to-your-appearance-and-body-image/skin-and-nail-changes-from-cancer-treatment Accessed October 2026.
Macmillan Cancer Support. Mouth problems and cancer treatments. Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/mouth-problems Accessed October 2026.
Macmillan Cancer Support. Tips for managing eating problems. Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/eating-problems/tips-for-managing-eating-problems Accessed October 2026.
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. Osimertinib (Tagrisso^®). Available at: https://www.christie.nhs.uk/media/mi1lfcpo/1179-osimertinib-tagrisso-unlocked.pdf Accessed October 2026.

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Tips on managing side effects

Diarrhoea

You should tell your healthcare team if you have changes to your normal bowel habits. They may adjust or stop your osimertinib dose if you:

Nausea and vomiting

You should tell your healthcare team immediately if you continue to feel or be sick more than once in 24 hours. They can give you advice on what to do. If you are already taking anti-sickness medicine, they may change to a different one that works better for you.3

Skin and nail problems

You should tell your healthcare team immediately if your skin or nail problems get worse, you have flu-like symptoms along with your skin reaction or if you have a skin reaction that is quickly spreading.1

Inflammation of the mouth

Talk to your healthcare team if you are experiencing mouth sores. You should contact your healthcare team immediately if you have flu-like symptoms along with mouth ulcers.1

Loss of appetite

Talk to your healthcare team if you are struggling with loss of appetite. They can give you more detailed advice on what to eat.8

Where can I find more information about side effects?

You should tell your healthcare team immediately if you continue to feel or be sick more than once in 24 hours. They can give you advice on what to do. If you are already taking anti-sickness medicine, they may change to a different one that works better for you.³

You should tell your healthcare team immediately if your skin or nail problems get worse, you have flu-like symptoms along with your skin reaction or if you have a skin reaction that is quickly spreading.¹

Talk to your healthcare team if you are experiencing mouth sores. You should contact your healthcare team immediately if you have flu-like symptoms along with mouth ulcers.¹

Talk to your healthcare team if you are struggling with loss of appetite. They can give you more detailed advice on what to eat.⁸