Tasigna

Tasigna is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children who have been newly diagnosed with a certain type of leukemia called Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase or adults with chronic phase Ph+ CML or accelerated Ph+ CML who are no longer benefiting from other treatments, including imatinib (Gleevec), or have taken other treatments, including imatinib (Gleevec), and cannot tolerate them.

It is also used to treat children with chronic phase Ph+ CML who are no longer benefiting from treatment with a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor medicine, or have taken a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor medicine and cannot tolerate it.
 
It is not known if Tasigna is safe and effective in children younger than 1 year of age with newly diagnosed, resistant, or intolerant Ph+ CML in chronic phase.
 
The long-term effects of treating children with Tasigna for a long period of time are not known.
 
Warning! 
Tasigna can cause a possible life threatening heart problem called QTc prolongation, causing irregular heartbeats which may lead to sudden death. 
 
Your healthcare provider should check the electrical activity of your heart with an ECG Test (Electrocardiogram) on a few occasions which include- before starting Tasigna, 7 days from commencement, wich changes in dosage and in regular intervals. 
 
You may lower your chancs of experiencing Tasigna's side effects by avoiding food 2 hours before dosage is taken. avoiding food an hour after the dosage is taken, avoiding grapefruit, grapefruit juice or any other supplement containing grapefruit extracts. 
Avoid taking other medicines or supplements with Tasigna that can also cause QTc prolongation.
 
Tasigna can interact with many medicines and supplements and increase your chance for serious and life-threatening side effects.
Do not take any other medicine while taking Tasigna unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay to do so.
If you cannot swallow Tasigna capsules whole, you may open the Tasigna capsule and sprinkle the contents of each capsule in 1 teaspoon of applesauce (pur�ed apple). Swallow the mixture right away (within 15 minutes). 
 
Do not take Tasigna if you have low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood or long QTc syndrome. 
 
Before taking Tasigna, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including  heart problems, have had a stroke or other problems due to decreased blood flow to the brain, have problems with decreased blood flow to your legs, have irregular heartbeat, have QTc prolongation or a family history of it, have liver problems, have had pancreatitis, have low blood levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood, have a severe problem with lactose (milk sugar) or other sugars.
 
Tasigna capsules contain lactose. Most people who have mild or moderate lactose intolerance can take Tasigna. Inform your healthcare provider if you have bleeding problems, had a surgical procedure involving the removal of the entire stomach (total gastrectomy), are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tasigna can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you are pregnant, or if you become pregnant during treatment with Tasigna.
 
For Females, your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with Tasigna. Use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with Tasigna and for at least 14 days after the last dose.
If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Tasigna passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 14 days after your last dose of Tasigna.
 
Please do refer to the warning label and consult with your Doctor before taking Tasigna.