Guest guest Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 They list many side effects in the pharmacology report, although not as vast in number as Gleevec. However, I can only tell you the ones that I experienced and what I did to remedy them. You should be able to get more complete information here: _http://www.us.tasigna.com/index.jsp_ (http://www.us.tasigna.com/index.jsp) I am not claiming to be an authority on Tasigna and there are many others who have been on this drug longer than two months, like I have. I was fortunate to be able to get information from them and likewise I am trying to pass on what I have learned. Of course it is best if you discuss these matters with your medical support team and oncologist. With warm regards, Matt ville, FL DX January 2005 Gleevec March 2005 Tasigna November 2008 In a message dated 1/21/2008 2:43:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, MoonQn1@... writes: I have a question.? I have been offline for months and am trying to catch up on the latest with CML treatment. Tomorrow I go in to UMass for my onc. appt. and would appreciate some info on Tasigna. I have been on Gleevec for 8 years, I have had significant weight gain, vision loss, fatigue, bone/joint pain, elevated liver enzymes, pancreatic problems, to name some side effects.?? You mention Tasigna does cause elevated liver enzymes, but are there any other significant side effects??? As I said, I was offline (no computer) for months and am just now getting back and wanted some quick info for tomorrow. Thanks in advance, Lynne A. -----Original Message----- From: _mtmaynor@..._ (mailto:mtmaynor@...) _@..._ (mailto: ) Sent: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 1:03 pm Subject: Re: [ ] Tasigna Yes, I assume that the blackbox warning you are speaking of was the " may cause sudden death " item. When I asked my oncologist about it, he stated that the worry is that you develop QT Prolongation, which can lead to ventricular arrhythmias, which as I understand it can cause cardiac arrest and then that sudden death thing. This can be an issue with a number of things and the issue of electrolytes is one of those items that can cause QT Prolongation. Like Gleevec with the Liver issues, Tasigna does cause an increase in Lipase or Pancreatic Enzymes. I have not found a way around this yet, but it appears from my tests it is a slight elevation and not of concern. For the first 28 days on the medication, you do have to have an EKG, which my GP was glad to perform. All were normal and it is a very painless and quick test. The issue with taking on an empty stomach is related to absorption rates. It seems that food elevates the absorption of Tasigna and if you take with a full stomach, the medication " spikes " absorption and can cause problems. Overall, I have found it much better for my QOL. In a message dated 1/21/2008 12:47:48 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, _utfin93@..._ (mailto:utfin93@...) writes: Thanks Matt! Great post. I was consideing Tasigna due to same GI sides of G leevec also. Was a little taken aback by the black box warning. Did your doc discuss this with you? Also, any problems getting on your insurance formulary? Tx Rick __mtmaynoraol (DOT) _mt_ (mailto:_mtmaynor@...) _ (mailto:_mtmaynor@..._ (mailto:mtmaynor@...) ) wrote: I had great difficulty with the GI side effects of Gleevec and begin a regimen of Tasigna last November. I have found that most of the GI issues that I had with Gleevec have promptly disappeared. Tasigna is taken twice a day on an empty stomach, at least two hours after a meal or one hour. At the beginning this is kind of hard to schedule, but I take my doses at the time I get up and at approximately 5:00 in the afternoon. The standard dose is 400 mg twice a day, however some are on 200 mg twice a day. I have also heard of people taking 400 mg once a day. I did have one scare and ended up in the ER with high pancreatic enzymes and low electrolytes. I know drink at least two 8 oz. glasses of Gatorade each day and supplement with electrolyte tablets that I obtain from Hammer Gel nutrition. For those of you with significant GI issues with Gleevec, I would encourage you to consider Tasigna as I have done well on it so far. With warm regards, Matt ville, FL DX January 2005 Gleevec March 2005 Tasigna November 2008 ************************<WBR>**<WBR>*Start the year off right. Easy ways __http://body.http://body._ (http://body.http//body.) <_WBRhttp://body._ (wbrhttp://body./) <_WBRhttp://body._ (wbrhttp://body./) <_WBRhttp://bo__ (wbrhttp://bo_/) (_http://body.http://body.<WBRhttp://body.<WBRhttp://body.<WBRhttp://bo_ (http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489) ) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ************************<WBR>**Start the year off right. Easy ways to st _http://body.http://body.<WBRhttp://body.<WBRhttp://body.<WBRhttp://bo_ (http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] __________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. 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Guest guest Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 I have a question.? I have been offline for months and am trying to catch up on the latest with CML treatment. Tomorrow I go in to UMass for my onc. appt. and would appreciate some info on Tasigna. I have been on Gleevec for 8 years, I have had significant weight gain, vision loss, fatigue, bone/joint pain, elevated liver enzymes, pancreatic problems, to name some side effects.?? You mention Tasigna does cause elevated liver enzymes, but are there any other significant side effects??? As I said, I was offline (no computer) for months and am just now getting back and wanted some quick info for tomorrow. Thanks in advance, Lynne A. Re: [ ] Tasigna Yes, I assume that the blackbox warning you are speaking of was the " may cause sudden death " item. When I asked my oncologist about it, he stated that the worry is that you develop QT Prolongation, which can lead to ventricular arrhythmias, which as I understand it can cause cardiac arrest and then that sudden death thing. This can be an issue with a number of things and the issue of electrolytes is one of those items that can cause QT Prolongation. Like Gleevec with the Liver issues, Tasigna does cause an increase in Lipase or Pancreatic Enzymes. I have not found a way around this yet, but it appears from my tests it is a slight elevation and not of concern. For the first 28 days on the medication, you do have to have an EKG, which my GP was glad to perform. All were normal and it is a very painless and quick test. The issue with taking on an empty stomach is related to absorption rates. It seems that food elevates the absorption of Tasigna and if you take with a full stomach, the medication " spikes " absorption and can cause problems. Overall, I have found it much better for my QOL. In a message dated 1/21/2008 12:47:48 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, utfin93@... writes: Thanks Matt! Great post. I was consideing Tasigna due to same GI sides of G leevec also. Was a little taken aback by the black box warning. Did your doc discuss this with you? Also, any problems getting on your insurance formulary? Tx Rick _mtmaynor@..._ (mailto:mtmaynor@...) wrote: I had great difficulty with the GI side effects of Gleevec and begin a regimen of Tasigna last November. I have found that most of the GI issues that I had with Gleevec have promptly disappeared. Tasigna is taken twice a day on an empty stomach, at least two hours after a meal or one hour. At the beginning this is kind of hard to schedule, but I take my doses at the time I get up and at approximately 5:00 in the afternoon. The standard dose is 400 mg twice a day, however some are on 200 mg twice a day. I have also heard of people taking 400 mg once a day. I did have one scare and ended up in the ER with high pancreatic enzymes and low electrolytes. I know drink at least two 8 oz. glasses of Gatorade each day and supplement with electrolyte tablets that I obtain from Hammer Gel nutrition. For those of you with significant GI issues with Gleevec, I would encourage you to consider Tasigna as I have done well on it so far. With warm regards, Matt ville, FL DX January 2005 Gleevec March 2005 Tasigna November 2008 ************************<WBR>**Start the year off right. Easy ways to st _http://body.http://body.<WBRhttp://body.<WBRhttp://body.<WBRhttp://bo_ (http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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