How important is the exact timing when taking Tasigna?
Would you rather “cheat” on the “12 hrs between doses”- rule, or the “don’t eat 2hrs before and 1hr after” - rule?
For example:
I usually take my Tasigna medicine at 10:30 and at 22:30. The other day I forgot to take my medicine and had lunch at 11:30. To fix that, I took Tasigna at 13:30 instead, and then took the second dose that day with only 10 hrs gap, at 23:30. What would you have done?
Hi!
I would recommend to stick to the no eating rule since food, especially fatty foods are known to increase nilotinib plasma concentration. I am using nilotinib as well and trying to comply with the fasting window.
What concerns the 12 hour apart pill taking then this is something where I am a bit more relaxed. Although I take my pills 7 am and 7 pm most of the times, I occasionally have some social events or other things interfering (by interfering I mean I have to eat) which results in taking the pills in example 10 hours or 11 hours apart.
My oncologist has also underlined that fasting is necessary, even if you are otherwise healthy and likely no harm will happen if sometimes fasting is overlooked. But taking medicine less or more than 12 hours apart (+/- a few hours) does not affect treatment results according to her experience.
So, take fasting seriously but don't beat yourself up if occasionally the window between dosing is not 12 hours long. Setting reminders (e.g. a phone app) is a good way to avoid forgetting. I am using MyTherapy.
Be well
Hiya
I’ve been on this medication for 5 years and I try to stick as close as I can 90% of the time to 8am and 8pm. However their are quite a few occasions where I have taken the medicine and hour or 2
Later because of a night out and a meal or socialising with alcohol.
I would say try to stick as close to it as you can but certainly don’t beat yourself up if you cheat at times. I can’t see that it’s affected my response at all. Maybe my liver and kidneys but I’ve never had anything reported to date so just love life. Take your pills twice daily is all you gotta do.
And sometimes cheat. Jeez you’re on em prob for life I don’t think anyone is that regimented I am certainly not.
Al
