Neratinib, also known as Nerlynx, is a type of drug that targets and inhibits tyrosine-kinase enzymes, which are important for cancer cell growth.

Neratinib is used to treat HER2-positive early breast cancer in some women who have completed treatment with trastuzumab, or Herceptin. Treatment with neratinib may reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence in some people.

Neratinib is a pill taken every day for one year.

The most common side effect of neratinib is diarrhea, which can often be managed with medication.

Other possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue and rash. A more serious health risk in rare cases is liver damage, so your liver function is monitored before and during treatment.

For more information, visit the HER2-Targeted Therapies page within the Treatment section of komen.org.

Neratinib is also used to treat HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. For more information, see the Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer chapter of this tool.