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Regimen Information

For tasigna, including Side Effects

tasigna

Drugs in this Regimen:

For the treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

How tasigna chemotherapy is given and possible side effects.

Tasigna for the treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Tasigna (nilotinib) is a drug used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia.

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF TASIGNA

  • Risk of Infection

  • Bleeding

  • Nausea & Vomiting

  • Rash

For more information, see the 'Expert Resources' tab below.

Community Responses

Often, the most helpful information regarding treatment side effects comes not from clinical brochures, but rather from other patients like you. We've collected the most helpful community resources to help you prepare for the side effects and coping tips for your chemotherapy regimen.

What side effects did you experience while on this medication?

The following have been voted the 3 most helpful responses to this question.

Hi, I'm Mountain Man

My CML diagnosis came via my Family Practitioners call at our dinner table 3 days after my annual check up. “No worries, its treatable with pills.” That left us worrying nevertheless. A few tests for confirmation at Utah Cancer Specialists and a Bone Marrow sample (not recommended if one can avoid it!) confirmed no blasts and within 6 weeks I started on Tasigna. I have noticed no symptoms before or after taking Tasigna. Prognosis for me is to keep the white blood cell count down and my BCR-ABL near 0 for the duration of this 2-year prescription and I will be cancer free.

  • Fri Aug 9, 2019
Hi, I'm Big Mike MJS

I was diagnosed with CML April 2013. Dr put me in Tasigna then. It brought my numbers down. From over 22K to 7K. The only things I’ve had is hot flashes and fatigue. Dr says hot flashes aren’t one of the known side effects but fatigue is. I still believe that the medicine is causing it. Anyone else having issues like this?

  • Sat Dec 5, 2015
Hi, I'm kris

Hi! I started Tasgina April 18,2012. For me, it has worked great!! I did have a total body rash the second week but after that, Absolutely nothing. Tired, absolutely, very tired, but sounds like very one is way. My numbers went down Immediately. in 3 weeks i reached Complete Hematologic Response. My WBC was 21.91 on May 7th they went down to 7.2 with every other results were just about normal. After 6 months I am at minor Molecular Response. 1 log if not more. I am 6-18 months ahead of reaching my goals!! Having no side effects really is wonderful!!!

  • Thu Nov 8, 2012

I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in November 2017. I was put on Gleevac in January 2018, suffered a terrible reaction. Then, I was prescribed Sprycel, my numbers (white blood count) came down significantly but, after 2 weeks, I developed a severe allergic reaction to Sprycel as well. Then, I was prescribed Tasigna, it took a couple of months to receive the medicine but, I did alright initially. After a few weeks, I developed another severe rash on my scalp, face, back, chest, and arms. The rash then became ulcerated and I was constantly bleeding all over my sheets and clothing. My Oncologist adjusted my dose to one capsule, 200 mg a day instead of the regular dose of 2 pills a day. With the decreased dose, the rash has cleared up almost entirely. However, I am having issues with profuse sweating at night and during the day also. I’ve also had a lot of my hair fall out or break off. Initially, I was told that none of the chemotherapy medicine prescribed for chronic myeloid leukemia would cause hairloss. However, in my case, I began to experience hairloss and my length breaking off several inches even before I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. I still have lots of hair but, I have to use expensive hair products and not store bought products. I’m not losing much hair now but, I don’t think it’s growing either. A few weeks ago, I asked my Dermatologist about the hairloss issue and he told me with blood cancer, the cells on your scalp are damaged almost immediately and you begin to lose hair. I don’t think there’s much we can do to control the hairloss or sweating. I’ve also developed severe pain in both of my legs and feet causing swelling in my feet. I’ve been hospitalized a couple of times for pain control but, I have been told it’s just part of my cancer journey. It came on quickly in September 2018 and I hope it goes away just as quickly. Prior to September 2018, I didn’t really have any pain issues with the CML. I’m wondering if anyone else is losing hair, sweating, having leg pain. What are you doing to help with the hairloss and regrow your hair? What about the sweating? It’s so uncomfortable and it’s embarrassing. I sweat so bad my hair and clothes, especially my tops, get soaked in sweat within minutes of getting dressed. Any advice?

  • Mon Dec 24, 2018
Hi, I'm Mountain Man

My CML diagnosis came via my Family Practitioners call at our dinner table 3 days after my annual check up. “No worries, its treatable with pills.” That left us worrying nevertheless. A few tests for confirmation at Utah Cancer Specialists and a Bone Marrow sample (not recommended if one can avoid it!) confirmed no blasts and within 6 weeks I started on Tasigna. I have noticed no symptoms before or after taking Tasigna. Prognosis for me is to keep the white blood cell count down and my BCR-ABL near 0 for the duration of this 2-year prescription and I will be cancer free.

  • Fri Aug 9, 2019

This discussion needs your voice!

What were the specific side effects that you experienced while taking this medication? How did you manage them?

What coping tips would you give to new patients on this regimen?

There are currently no answers to this question. Be the first to answer!

This discussion needs your voice!

What do you wish you had known before taking this medication? What information would you like to pass on to patients who are beginning this medication?

Treatment Overview

This chemotherapy regimen is commonly used to treat:

Other chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia:

See Expert Resources

The Navigating Care Library includes articles about cancer, chemotherapy regimens and drugs from the the National Cancer Institute and other experts.