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 Using nilotinib (Tasigna)
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed nilotinib, a kinase inhibitor, to treat your leukemia. This medication blocks an enzyme that cancer cells need to grow, leading to cell death. The brand name of this medication is Tasigna.
How you’ll take Tasigna
You’ll take Tasigna twice a day, about 12 hours apart. This medication must be taken on an empty stomach at least 2 hours after eating any food; you also shouldn’t eat for at least 1 hour after taking the capsules. The capsules must be swallowed whole; don’t cut, crush, or chew the capsules.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take the next dose as scheduled; don’t make up or double up doses.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, low blood counts, rash, tiredness.
Less common: irregular heart beat; fainting; unexplained bleeding or bruising; blood in urine or stool; unexplained weakness; yellow skin and eyes; shortness of breath; swelling of hands, ankles, feet or face; stomach pain
What you must know about other medications
Many other drugs can have an effect on how this medication works in your body, including ketoconazole, erythromycin, rifampin, verapamil and others. You shouldn’t use St. John’s wort while on this medication. Tell all of your health care providers that you’re taking this medication so that any potential interactions can be prevented.
Special directions
- Take this medication on an empty stomach at least 2 hours after eating, and don’t eat any food for at least 1 hour after taking the medication.
- You must swallow the capsules whole with water; don’t cut, crush, or chew the capsules.
- Don’t use St. John’s wort or drink grapefruit juice or grapefruit products while you’re taking this medication; serious adverse effects could occur.
- Take precautions to avoid infection and injury while on this medication; your blood counts could go down, making you more susceptible to infections, bleeding problems, and fatigue.
Keep in mind
- You’ll need to have blood tests before starting this medication and periodically during treatment to evaluate the effects of the medication and to make any necessary dosage adjustments.
- You’ll need to have an EKG before starting this medication and periodically during treatment to monitor the effects of this medication on your heart.
- This medication could harm an unborn baby. You should use contraceptive measures while you’re taking this medication. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, consult your health care provider.
- It isn’t known how this medication could affect a breast-fed baby. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects on an infant, use another method of feeding your baby while you’re taking this medication.
- Report fluid retention or swelling, fainting, skipped heart beats, yellowing of the eyes or skin, sudden stomach pain with nausea, unexplained bleeding or bruising, severe weakness, fever, or signs of infection.
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