home > drugs a-z list > tasigna capsules (nilotinib capsules) drug center

Tasigna Drug Center

Tasigna (nilotinib) is a kinase inhibitor that interferes with a protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. Tasigna is available in generic form termed nilotinib. Tasigna is used to treat adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase of the disease; it is also used to treat both chronic and accelerated Philadelphia chromosome positive myeloid leukemia in adults that are resistant or intolerant to prior therapy, including imatinib. The most common side effects of Tasigna are rash, pruritus, headache, nausea, fatigue, and muscle aches.

Tasigna comes in a gelatin capsule at strengths of 150 and 200 mg. It is usually taken without food twice a day, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating any food. The dosage is usually 300 mg per day, or 400 mg per day in those patients that are resistant or intolerant to prior therapy. However, because of the extensive and dire side effects in persons with underlying problems such as sudden death, hepatotoxicity, QT prolongation, myelosupression and other electrolyte and enzyme abnormalities, physicians often need to adjust the dose depending on several health factors; patients and physicians need to check the multiple tables available to develop a safe dose according to the patient's concurrent health problems and medications they take. Women who are pregnant should not take this drug; women who are breastfeeding should be cautioned that benefits to the mother must be weighed against the relatively unstudied risks to the infant. Safety and effectiveness of Tasigna use in pediatrics has not been established.

Our Tasigna Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information as well as related drugs, user reviews, supplements, and diseases, and conditions.