Tasigna
Nilotinib capsules in 150mg and 200mg strengths, sold here as Tasigna, treat chronic myeloid leukaemia and are taken twice a day on an empty stomach.
All strengths and pack prices
| Strength | Pack | Price | Per capsule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150mg | 28 capsules | $428.40 | $15.30 |
| 150mg | 56 capsules | $714.00 | $12.75 |
| 200mg | 28 capsules | $476.00 | $17.00 |
| 200mg | 56 capsules | $809.20 | $14.45 |
- Category
- Oncology Support
- Active ingredient
- Nilotinib
- Route
- Oral
- Form
- Capsule
- Strengths
- 150/200mg
You will receive a quality generic equivalent, depending on stock.
Shipped in a discreet, unmarked envelope.
Details
- Conditions
- Chronic myeloid leukemia
- Therapeutic Class
- Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor
- Pharmacological Class
- Antineoplastic
- Minor Side Effects
- Nausea, Rash
- Moderate Side Effects
- Headache, Fatigue
- Dosage Forms
- Capsule
- Administration Route
- Oral
- Originator
- Novartis
- Onset Time
- Systemic
- Duration
- Ongoing
- Storage Instructions
- Store at room temperature.
- Drug Interactions
- St. John's wort, CYP3A4 inhibitors
- Age Restrictions
- Not for paediatric use without physician approval.
What you will receive
Tasigna is the originator brand name, made by Novartis. We use it to identify the medicine; the pack you receive is a generic equivalent, not the original Tasigna.
- The same active ingredient (Nilotinib) at the same strength.
- The exact brand supplied depends on what is in stock when your order ships.
FAQ
Which Tasigna strengths and pack sizes can I order?
You can order Tasigna 150mg and 200mg capsules in packs of 28 or 56 capsules. It is generic nilotinib, not the original Tasigna. Larger packs cost less per capsule.
How discreet is Tasigna delivery to Hong Kong?
Tasigna is sent in plain, unbranded packaging with nothing on the outside about the contents. Tracked courier takes 5 to 9 business days with online tracking. Standard airmail takes 14 to 21 business days, or 30 at most, and is untracked.
Can I open a Tasigna capsule if I cannot swallow it whole?
Yes. Empty the contents of one capsule into a teaspoon of applesauce, mix and swallow it straight away — within 15 minutes — and throw away anything left over. Do not chew, crush or split the capsule itself, and do not prepare the mixture in advance.
Can I drink grapefruit juice with Tasigna?
No — grapefruit and Seville oranges slow the way the body clears nilotinib, so more of it stays in the blood than intended. That makes side effects, including the heart rhythm changes, more likely. Water, tea, coffee and most other fruit juices are not a problem.
Is Tasigna the same as imatinib?
They are different medicines that both treat CML by blocking the same abnormal protein. Nilotinib is the newer of the two; it is used when imatinib has not controlled the leukaemia well enough or has caused side effects that are hard to live with, and it is also used as a first treatment.
Will I need tests while taking Tasigna?
Regular blood tests are part of the treatment. They check blood counts, liver results and levels of potassium and magnesium, all of which nilotinib can affect, and they show how well the leukaemia is responding. Heart rhythm checks (ECGs) are also done before and during treatment.
About Tasigna
Nilotinib capsules and what they treat
Tasigna is the name this listing carries; the medicine inside is nilotinib, a kinase inhibitor. Kinase inhibitors work on one specific protein rather than on cells in general. In chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a cancer of the white blood cells, an abnormal protein keeps signalling bone marrow cells to multiply out of control. Nilotinib blocks that signal, which slows the leukaemia and gives normal blood cells room to recover. It is used for CML on its own, including in people whose earlier treatment has stopped holding the disease.
How to take Tasigna capsules
The capsules come in 150mg and 200mg strengths. They are taken twice a day, roughly 12 hours apart, at the same times each day. Food matters here: a capsule goes on an empty stomach — at least two hours after eating, and with nothing to eat for an hour afterwards. Swallow each one whole with water; don't split, chew or crush it. The capsules only hold the leukaemia in check while they are being taken, so the twice-daily schedule matters even when you feel well. Keep the pack dry and out of the heat.
Side effects worth knowing about
Rash, itching, headache, tiredness, feeling sick and loose stools are the common ones, along with aching muscles and joints; many ease after the first weeks. Nilotinib can also lower blood counts, so you may tire more easily, bruise more or catch infections. Blood sugar sometimes rises. Regular blood tests track counts, liver results and the minerals potassium and magnesium, because nilotinib can shift all of them.
Serious effects and other medicines
Nilotinib can disturb the heart's rhythm, a problem known as QT prolongation. A fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat, fainting, a seizure or losing consciousness needs urgent treatment. Severe pain in the upper stomach spreading to the back can be a sign of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), and yellowing of the skin or eyes points to liver trouble. St John's wort and stomach-acid medicines such as omeprazole change how much nilotinib reaches the blood, and antacids containing magnesium or aluminium need spacing: two hours before or two hours after a capsule. Indigestion drugs like famotidine go at least ten hours before or two hours after.
Sources
- Nilotinib: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
- Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) - Cancer Research UK — Cancer Research UK