Nilotinib: Uses, Side effects&Drug Interactions

Nilotinib known as Tasigna is a targeted cancer drug. It is a treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). It may be used both in initial cases of chronic phase CML as well as in accelerated and chronic phase CML that has not responded to imatinib.

Nilotinib was approved for medical use in the United States in 2007. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.

Uses

The BCR-ABL1 gene makes high levels of a substance called tyrosine kinase (TK).  Nilotinib is a type of targeted cancer drug called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI).  It works by switching off (inhibiting) tyrosine kinase. This causes the leukaemia cells to die.

Side effects

Nilotinib has a number of adverse effects including low platelets, low white blood cells, anemia, rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, and joint pains. Other serious side effects may include QT prolongation, sudden death, pancreatitis, and liver problems. 

Less typical side effects are those of the cardiovascular system, such as high blood pressure, various types of arrhythmia, and prolonged QT interval. Nilotinib can also affect the body's electrolyte and glucose balance.

Contraindications include long QT syndrome, hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia, pregnancy, planned pregnancy, lactation and galactose/lactose intolerance.

Drug Interactions

Tasigna (nilotinib) is indicated for the treatment of chronic phase and accelerated phase Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in adult patients resistant or intolerant to prior therapy that included imatinib. 

Some products that may interact with this drug include: antacids, flibanserin, H2 blockers (such as cimetidine/famotidine), proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole).

Other medications can affect the removal of nilotinib from your body, which may affect how nilotinib works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin), rifamycins (such as rifabutin), ritonavir, St. John's wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others.