Tasigna 150 mg Capsules Capsule (Nilotinib) — Uses, Dosage & NAFDAC

Who is this for?

What is this drug?

Nilotinib is a cancer medicine that works by blocking a specific abnormal protein that causes certain blood cancer cells to grow out of control, helping to stop the cancer from spreading.

What is it used for?

A type of blood cancer called chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)also known as blood cancer where the body makes too many abnormal white blood cells

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Cancer Treatment

How it works

Inhibits the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase and other related kinases (c-KIT, PDGFR), blocking the abnormal proliferation signal in chronic myeloid leukaemia cells and inducing their apoptosis. This targeted inhibition suppresses the uncontrolled production of abnormal white blood cells characteristic of CML.

Prescription Required

You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.

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How to take this drug

For newly diagnosed patients, the usual dose is two 150 mg capsules (300 mg) taken twice a day — once in the morning and once in the evening, about 12 hours apart. Very important: take it on an empty stomach. Do not eat for at least 2 hours before and 1 hour after taking the capsule. Swallow the capsule whole with water. Your doctor will decide your exact dose based on your condition.

What if I Miss a Dose?

If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at once to make up for the missed one.

What to watch out for

Only buy Tasigna from reputable pharmacies or hospitals — this is a specialist cancer drug and fake versions can be extremely dangerous. Do not stop taking this medicine or change the dose on your own, even if you feel better. Always attend your regular blood tests and doctor appointments as your doctor needs to monitor your blood counts and heart closely.

Common Side Effects

Headache
nausea or vomiting
skin rash or itching
tiredness
and muscle or joint pain

Serious Side Effects

Sudden chest pain or irregular heartbeat (this drug can affect the heart — seek help immediately)
signs of liver problems like yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
and very low blood cell counts which may show as unusual bleeding
bruising
or frequent infections.

Drug Interactions

Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice as they increase the drug level dangerously in your body. Some common medicines like ketoconazole (antifungal) and rifampicin (used for TB treatment) can seriously interact with nilotinib — always tell your doctor about every medicine you are taking. Avoid alcohol as it can put extra stress on your liver.

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Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Warning

Nilotinib is not safe during pregnancy as it can harm the unborn baby, and breastfeeding should be avoided while on this medicine — talk to your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Who Should NOT Take This

People allergic to nilotinib or any ingredient in Tasigna
people with serious heart rhythm problems (especially a condition called long QT syndrome)
people with very low potassium or magnesium levels
and people with severe liver disease should not take this drug without specialist supervision.

How to Store

Store in a cool, dry place below 30°C. Keep away from direct sunlight and humidity — Nigerian heat can damage this medicine. Always keep it in the original packaging and far out of reach of children.

For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.

Tasigna 150 mg Capsules