You are here

Nilotinib Timings

I was diagnosed in Nov 2010, after 20 months on imatinib my PCR was still at 5% so I was changed to nilotinib. I am delighted to report that after 4 months my PCR is down to 0.417% .Having to fast for 3 hours was not something I was looking forward to but to be honest it has been much easier then I thought. I was taking at 4am and 4pm and decided to stay with that (in hope that my body clock sorted itself)when the clocks went back. Hence my alarm now goes off at 3am and I take at 3pm. Over Xmas I have been thinking a better time to take the tablets would be 12 midnight and 12 noon.Does anyone have any advice on how I should do this? Do I need to do gradually or do you think it will have an impact if I just do on a given day and make the change?
Thanks
Happy New Year to you all.

Hi Hayley,
Good to hear the nilotinib has reduced your bcr/abl levels so effectively.
Given that keeping a TKi at a constant (plasma) level is essential to take your drug consistently and within an hour either side of the regular time. Nilotinib dosing is more complex than either dasatinib or imatinib as it needs to be taken away from food.
I think the half life of nilotinib is around 11 hrs (?) after which plasma levels start to decrease.

I don't think that taking your 2nd dose earlier at 12 midnight (rather than 3am) would mean your plasma level at that point (8hrs after your last 3pm dose) would be raised enough to cause an increase side effects.

I am no expert on plasma levels but I would say that if you were going to change your times then it would be OK to do it on a given day rather than gradually. If you did it gradually it would be much more difficult. But do check with your clinician or support nurse if you can phone or email them.
If that is not possible then let me know and I will ask for advice on your behalf.

Best wishes,
Sandy