Description
Asciminib is used to treat Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase (CP) in patients who are newly diagnosed or who have received previous treatment. It is also used to treat Ph+ CML in CP with the T315I mutation. Leukemia is a type of cancer where the body makes too many abnormal white blood cells.
Asciminib belongs to the general group of medicines known as antineoplastics or cancer medicines. It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed by the body.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Tablet
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of asciminib in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of asciminib in the elderly.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine, Live
- Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine, Live
- Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
- Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
- Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
- Smallpox Monkeypox Vaccine
- Typhoid Vaccine
- Varicella Virus Vaccine
- Yellow Fever Vaccine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abemaciclib
- Acalabrutinib
- Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live
- Adenovirus Vaccine Type 7, Live
- Alfentanil
- Astemizole
- Atogepant
- Atorvastatin
- Avacopan
- Axitinib
- Boceprevir
- Bosentan
- Bosutinib
- Brigatinib
- Celecoxib
- Ceritinib
- Cerivastatin
- Cholera Vaccine
- Cisapride
- Clarithromycin
- Clindamycin
- Cobicistat
- Cobimetinib
- Colchicine
- Conivaptan
- Crizotinib
- Cyclosporine
- Dasatinib
- Digoxin
- Dihydroergotamine
- Docetaxel
- Dofetilide
- Dronedarone
- Ebola Zaire Vaccine, Live
- Entrectinib
- Ergotamine
- Everolimus
- Fentanyl
- Fexofenadine
- Flibanserin
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Clopidogrel
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Heart or blood vessel disease, history of or
- Heart rhythm problems (eg, arrhythmia, QT prolongation) or
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
- Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas), history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
Proper Use
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Do not change the dose or stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor.
Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all of the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
This medicine should come with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Take this medicine on an empty stomach. Do not eat for at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after you take this medicine.
Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, cut, crush, or chew it
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For the treatment of Ph+ CML in CP in patients who are newly diagnosed or who have received previous treatment:
- Adults—80 milligrams (mg) once a day or 40 mg 2 times a day at least 12 hours apart. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For the treatment of Ph+ CML in CP with the T315I mutation:
- Adults—200 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day at least 12 hours apart. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For the treatment of Ph+ CML in CP in patients who are newly diagnosed or who have received previous treatment:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Once a day regimen: If you miss a dose and it is more than 12 hours of your scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Twice a day regimen: If you miss a dose and it is more than 6 hours of your scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before starting this medicine. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 1 week after the last dose to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Some female patients who use this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.
Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have bloating, chills, constipation, dark urine, fast heartbeat, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back, upset stomach, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin.
Check with your doctor right away if you have chest discomfort or pain, dizziness, decreased urine output, fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, pain in the arms, legs, back, neck, or jaw, problems with vision, speech, or walking, rapid weight gain, swelling of the feet or lower legs, sudden or severe headache, trouble breathing, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These could be symptoms of a serious heart or blood vessel problem (eg, blood clots, heart attack, heart failure, stroke).
This medicine may cause hypertension (high blood pressure). Check with your doctor right away if you have blurred vision, dizziness, headache, nervousness, pounding in the ears, or slow or fast heartbeat.
This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest tightness, cough, dizziness, fainting, fast heartbeat, fever, skin rash or redness, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blood in the urine or stools
- blurred vision
- body aches or pain
- chest pain or tightness
- chills
- cough
- decreased urine output
- dilated neck veins
- dizziness
- ear congestion
- difficulty in breathing
- fainting
- fever
- headache
- hives, itching, skin rash
- hoarseness
- irregular heartbeat
- irritation
- joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- loss of voice
- lower back or side pain
- nervousness
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- pounding in the ears
- redness of the skin
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sneezing
- sore throat
- stuffy or runny nose
- swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
- trouble swallowing
- ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- weight gain
Less common
- Bladder pain
- bloating
- bloody or cloudy urine
- burning urination
- coughing up blood
- frequent urge to urinate
- increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
- indigestion
- nosebleeds
- pains in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of the legs
- pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- paralysis
- prolonged bleeding from cuts
- severe headaches of sudden onset
- sudden loss of coordination
- sudden onset of slurred speech
- sudden vision changes
- vomiting
- yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Diarrhea
- difficulty in moving
- muscle or bone pain
- muscle stiffness
- pain in the joints
- stomach pain
Less common
- Constipation
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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