Nilotinib (Tasigna) (The James)

Nilotinib (Tasigna) (The James)

 

Taking Your Treatment Home

What you need to know about your Anti-Cancer Medicine

 

This brochure has is important information on how to use, handle, and store your medicine, what side effects to look for and how to manage them.

 

What it looks like: Red or pale yellow capsule

 

How to handle and store:

  • There are special safe handling instructions for this medicine. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about the precautions you need to follow when you take this medicine at home.
  • Store in a closed container in a dry place such as a cabinet away from light, heat and moisture.
  • Do not store in your bathroom or refrigerator.
  • Keep this medicine away from children and do not share it with anyone.

 

How to take:

  • Swallow tablet whole with a full glass of water. Doses are usually taken 2 times each day, 10 to 12 hours apart.
  • Do not crush, break, or chew the capsule.
  • Do not take with food. Take medicine 1 hour before or 2 hours after you eat.
  • Do not take more capsules than ordered by your doctor.
  • This medicine comes in a pre-packaged envelope. Keep the capsules in the envelope. Do not put them in a pillbox.
  • If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double up on doses.

 

Disposal:

  • Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how to get rid of prescription medicines safely.

 

Precautions:

  • Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal products.
  • Do not get pregnant while on this medicine. Talk with your doctor about what birth control to use.
  • Do not take St. John’s Wort.
  • Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you take this medicine. This can increase your risk of side effects.
  • Talk to your doctor before you take any medicines for heartburn or an upset stomach. Do not take omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid) or pantoprazole (Protonix). If needed, take this medicine 2 hours before or 10 hours after you take famotidine (Pepcid) or ranitidine (Zantac).

 

Possible Side Effects

You can find more information on side effects in the Patient Education booklet, Treatment with Chemotherapy and Anti-Cancer Medicines.

 

Rash

What to do:

  • Tell your doctor if you get a rash.
  • Protect your skin and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you take this medicine.
  • Do not use strong detergents or use strong soaps on areas with the rash.

 

Headache

What to do:

  • Talk to your doctor before you take over-the- counter pain medicine.
  • Call your doctor if the headache continues or makes you unable to do your normal daily activities.

 

Hair Loss

What this means: Your hair may become thin or fall out when you take this medicine.

What to do:

  • Wear a hat to protect your head from the sun or cold weather.
  • Talk to your doctor if you have more questions.

 

Muscle Pain or Spasms

  • Talk to your doctor before you take any over-the-counter pain medicine.
  • Drink water during the day.
  • Get enough sleep.
  • Do not lift heavy objects.
  • Call your doctor if your muscle pain makes you unable to do your normal daily activities.

 

Heart Changes

What this means: Your doctor may check your heart rhythm when you start this medicine and while you are taking this medicine.

What to do:

  • Eat small meals or snacks often during the day. Stay away from spicy or high-fat foods.
  • Drink water during the day.
  • Call your doctor if you feel that your heart rhythm has changed or if you have shortness of breath.

 

Nausea and Vomiting

What to do:

  • Eat frequent small meals. Avoid spicy foods.
  • Drink water throughout the day.
  • Call your doctor if you are unable to keep liquids down for more than 24 hours or if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

 

Low White Blood Cells/Preventing Infection

What to do:

  • Call your doctor if you have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher.
  • Wash your hands often.

 

Bleeding/Bruising/Black Stools

What to do:

  • Call your doctor if you have bruising, bleeding, black stools or sudden or severe stomach pain.
  • Do not use aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) for regular aches and pains.

 

Liver Problems

What this means: your doctor may order blood tests to check how well your liver works while you take this medicine.

What to do:

Call your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms:

  • Dark colored urine
  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
  • Pain on the right side of your stomach

 

 

This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Tell your doctor if you have these or any other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine. Your James health care team can give you other tips for how to manage your side effects.

 

 

© 7/19/2022. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care.