Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Tasigna (Nilotinib).
Anemia: Tasigna (Nilotinib) may cause low levels of red blood cells. If you experience symptoms of reduced red blood cell count (anemia) such as shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired, or pale skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells, including red blood cells, in your blood.
Blood clotting: Tasigna (Nilotinib) can reduce the number of platelet cells in the blood. Platelets help the blood to clot, and a shortage could make you bleed more easily. Tell your doctor of any signs that your blood is not clotting as quickly as usual. Such symptoms may include black and tarry stools, blood in the urine, easy bruising, or cuts that won't stop bleeding.
Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells, including platelets, in your blood.
Cancer: Although not common, Tasigna (Nilotinib) has been associated with several different types of cancer including gastric, pancreatic, colon, malignant Melanoma, ovarian, and Skin Cancer. Discuss any concerns that you may have, with your doctor.
Diabetes: Tasigna (Nilotinib) may cause an increase in blood sugar levels and glucose tolerance may change. If you have diabetes, you may find it necessary to monitor your blood sugar more frequently while using Tasigna (Nilotinib).
If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Tasigna (Nilotinib) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Tasigna (Nilotinib), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Fluid and electrolyte balance: Tasigna (Nilotinib) may cause the levels of electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, chloride, and calcium in the blood to change while taking Tasigna (Nilotinib). If you experience symptoms of fluid and electrolyte imbalance such as muscle pains or cramps; Dry Mouth; numb hands, feet, or lips; or racing heartbeat, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the levels of these electrolytes in your blood while you are taking Tasigna (Nilotinib).
Excess fluid may also build up in the body as a result of taking Tasigna (Nilotinib). Swelling in the feet, legs, or ankles or difficulty breathing may be signs of this happening. Contact your doctor if you experience this.
Grapefruit, grapefruit juice, star fruit, pomegranate, Seville oranges: These fruits affect how Tasigna (Nilotinib) is removed from the body and may cause too much of the medication to build up in the body and cause possibly harmful side effects. They should not be eaten at any time while taking Tasigna (Nilotinib) for treatment.
Heart disease: Recent studies have shown that Tasigna (Nilotinib) may contribute to atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in the walls of blood vessels, making them narrower. If a piece of the plaque breaks off or a blood clot forms on the plaque, a blood vessel may be totally blocked, preventing blood flow. This can result in heart attack or Stroke.
If you have heart disease such as recent heart attack, Congestive Heart Failure, slow heart rate, or Angina, discuss with your doctor how Tasigna (Nilotinib) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Tasigna (Nilotinib), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Heart rhythm: Tasigna (Nilotinib) can cause changes to the normal rhythm of the heart, including an irregular heartbeat called QT prolongation. QT prolongation is a serious life-threatening condition that can cause fainting, seizures, and sudden death. If you are at risk for heart rhythm problems (e.g., people with heart failure, angina, low potassium or magnesium levels), discuss with your doctor how Tasigna (Nilotinib) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Tasigna (Nilotinib), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, Tasigna (Nilotinib) can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). If possible, avoid contact with people with contagious infections.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.
Lactose intolerance: Tasigna (Nilotinib) contains lactose. If you have galactose intolerance (galactosemia, glucose-galactose malabsorption, or Lapp lactase deficiency) you should not take Tasigna (Nilotinib). Talk to your doctor about other alternatives.
Kidney function: Tasigna (Nilotinib) can cause decreased kidney function. If you have reduced kidney function or Kidney Disease, discuss with your doctor how Tasigna (Nilotinib) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Tasigna (Nilotinib), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver function: Decreased liver function or liver disease may cause Tasigna (Nilotinib) to build up in the body, causing side effects.
Tasigna (Nilotinib) may reduce liver function and can cause liver failure. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Tasigna (Nilotinib) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Tasigna (Nilotinib), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Tasigna (Nilotinib).
If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.
Lung inflammation: Lung inflammation (interstitial lung disease) causing difficulty breathing has occurred in rare instances for some people taking Tasigna (Nilotinib). This complication can be serious and sometimes fatal. If you experience new or worsening shortness of breath or cough (with or without fever) at any time while you are taking Tasigna (Nilotinib), contact your doctor immediately.
Muscle effects: Muscle damage has been associated with the use of Tasigna (Nilotinib). Report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness or cramps, or any brown or discoloured urine to your doctor immediately, particularly if you are also experiencing malaise (a general feeling of being unwell) or fever.
Pancreatitis: Tasigna (Nilotinib) can cause the pancreas to become inflamed. If you have a history of pancreatitis, discuss with your doctor how Tasigna (Nilotinib) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Tasigna (Nilotinib), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Report signs of pancreatitis such as abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, or swollen abdomen to your doctor immediately.
Sudden cardiac death: In rare instances, Tasigna (Nilotinib) has been associated with sudden death. This may be more likely to happen if you already have a heart condition, but it has also been reported to happen to people without previous heart problems. This possibility should be discussed with your doctor before starting Tasigna (Nilotinib).
Tumour lysis syndrome: Tasigna (Nilotinib), like many other cancer medications, causes many cancer cells to be suddenly killed when treatment is first started. This can overwhelm the body with waste products from the cells. As a result, the body may not be able to keep up with getting rid of all the waste. When this happens, you may experience nausea or shortness of breath, or notice cloudy urine or joint pain. This is called tumour lysis syndrome. Your doctor may prescribe some medications to help your body get rid of the waste products. Make sure you understand how to use these medications and report any of these signs or symptoms to your doctor immediately.
Vaccinations: People taking Tasigna (Nilotinib) should not receive certain vaccines. Talk to your doctor about whether any vaccines you are scheduled to take may be used with Tasigna (Nilotinib).
Pregnancy: Tasigna (Nilotinib) may cause harm to an unborn fetus and should not be used during pregnancy. If you or your partner become pregnant while taking Tasigna (Nilotinib), contact your doctor immediately. Both men and women of childbearing age who are taking Tasigna (Nilotinib) should use an effective method of birth control (e.g., birth control pill, condoms) during treatment and for at least 4 weeks after finishing treatment.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if Tasigna (Nilotinib) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Tasigna (Nilotinib), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of Tasigna (Nilotinib) have not been established for children younger than 2 years of age. It should only be prescribed or given by health care professionals familiar with the use of cancer chemotherapy for children. If you have concerns about Tasigna (Nilotinib) being used to treat children, discuss this with your doctor.