Nilotinib

Nilotinib is used to treat certain types of leukemia (cancer that begins in the white blood cells) in people whose disease could not be treated successfully with imatinib (Gleevec) or people who cannot take imatinib. Nilotinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps to stop or slow the spread of cancer cells.

Nilotinib comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken without food twice a day. Nilotinib should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating any food. Take nilotinib at around the same times every day. Try to space your doses about 12 hours apart. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take nilotinib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water; do not split, chew, or crush them. Your doctor may decrease your dose of nilotinib during your treatment. This will depend on how well the medication works for you and any side effects you may experience. Continue to take nilotinib even if you feel well. Do not stop taking nilotinib without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Nilotinib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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rash</li>
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itching</li>
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nausea</li>
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vomiting</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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constipation</li>
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heartburn</li>
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gas</li>
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loss of appetite</li>
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headache</li>
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dizziness</li>
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tiredness</li>
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difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep</li>
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night sweats</li>
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muscle cramps</li>
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back, bone, joint, limb, or muscle pain</li>
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hair loss</li>
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dry or reddened skin</li>
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numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

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unexplained bleeding or bruising</li>
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blood in urine or stool</li>
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unexplained weakness</li>
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fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection</li>
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shortness of breath</li>
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swelling of hands, ankles, feet, or face</li>
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sudden stomach area pain</li>
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yellowing of the skin and eyes</li></ul>Nilotinib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.</p>

Before taking nilotinib, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nilotinib or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: certain angiotensin-receptor blockers such as irbesartan (Avapro) and losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar); anticoagulants (''blood thinners'') such as warfarin (Coumadin); aripiprazole (Abilify); certain benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), midazolam, and triazolam (Halcion); buspirone (Buspar); certain calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nisoldipine (Sular), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan); certain cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) including atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor),and simvastatin (Zocor); chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, other cough and cold products); dexamethasone (Mymethasone); flecainide (Tambocor); haloperidol (Haldol); certain medications for depression such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), duloxetine (Cymbalta), imipramine (Tofranil), paroxetine (Paxil), and venlafaxine (Effexor); certain oral medications for diabetes such as glipizide (Glucotrol) and tolbutamide; certain medications that suppress the immune system such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) and tacrolimus (Prograf); certain medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Equetro, Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); methadone (Methadose); mexiletine; certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and piroxicam (Feldene); ondansetron (Zofran); propafenone (Rythmol); quinine (Qualaquin); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin); rifapentine (Priftin); risperidone (Risperdal); sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio); tamoxifen; testosterone (Androderm, Androgel, Striant, others); timolol; torsemide; tramadol (Ultram, in Ultracet); trazodone; and vincristine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with nilotinib, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any heart problems, pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas, a gland behind the stomach that produces substances to help with digestion), or any condition that makes it difficult for you to digest lactose (milk sugar) or other sugars. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking nilotinib.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.