Tasigna (nilotinib) is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). It’s approved for this use in adults and children ages 1 year and older.

Tasigna is typically used as a long-term treatment for Ph+ CML.

Here are some fast facts about Tasigna:

  • Active ingredient: nilotinib
  • Drug class: tyrosine kinase inhibitors
  • Drug form: oral capsule

Like other drugs, Tasigna can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Tasigna, including details about its uses, see this article.

Tasigna can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Tasigna in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Tasigna use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Tasigna’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Tasigna include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Tasigna and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Tasigna may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Tasigna’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Tasigna, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Tasigna and their symptoms include:

  • Pancreatitis (inflammation in your pancreas). Symptoms can include:
    • reduced appetite
  • Blockage of blood vessels in your legs, heart, or brain. Symptoms can include:
    • pain or cold feeling in your leg
    • trouble walking
    • change in the color of the skin on your leg
    • shortness of breath
    • weakness
    • numbness
    • trouble speaking
  • Serious bleeding. Symptoms can include:
    • bleeding that’s hard to control or won’t stop
    • blood in your urine, which may look red or pink
    • blood in your stool, which may look, red, black, or like tar
    • severe headache
  • Severe edema (fluid retention), which can collect around your heart or in your lungs or abdomen. Symptoms can include:
    • shortness of breath
    • rapid weight gain
    • swelling of your abdomen
  • Tumor lysis syndrome (a condition that’s caused by dying cancer cells releasing harmful chemicals into your blood). Symptoms can include:
    • nausea and vomiting
  • Electrolyte imbalance, which can lead to muscle and heart problems. Symptoms can include:
    • muscle cramps or spasms
    • weakness
    • nausea and vomiting
    • headache
    • abnormal heart rate or rhythm
  • Slowed growth in children. See “Side effects in children” below for more details.
  • Risk of QT prolongation (a type of heart rhythm problem) and sudden death.*†
  • Cardiac side effects.†
  • Liver problems.†
  • Low blood cell counts.†
  • Allergic reaction.†

* Tasigna has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
† For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Side effects of Tasigna in children are generally similar to those seen in adults taking the drug. These side effects are described throughout this article.

However, in clinical trials, abnormal results in liver function tests were reported more often in children than in adults who took Tasigna. Liver function tests measure the levels of proteins called liver enzymes and bilirubin in your blood. High levels of these proteins may be a sign of liver damage.

In trials, high levels of bilirubin and certain liver enzyme occurred more commonly in children than in adults who took Tasigna.

Additionally, some children who took Tasigna in clinical trials had slowed growth. These children grew in height slower than children of the same age who didn’t take Tasigna. It’s not currently known if slowed growth in children has any long-term effects. Children who take Tasigna should have their growth and development regularly monitored by their doctor.

If you’re concerned about liver problems, slowed growth, or other side effects in your child, talk with their doctor. They can explain more about the risk of side effects in your child and how side effects can be managed.

Tasigna may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Are there any long-term side effects of Tasigna?

Yes, there may be long-term side effects with Tasigna treatment. For example, some serious side effects of Tasigna could last a long time or lead to long lasting problems, even with treatment. And some side effects, such as liver problems, could last even after stopping Tasigna.

However, most of Tasigna’s side effects are short term, lasting a few days or weeks. They typically improve on their own or are easily managed with other treatments. If needed, your doctor may reduce your Tasigna dosage or ask you to stop treatment temporarily to help manage side effects.

If you’re concerned about possible long-term side effects with Tasigna, talk with your doctor. They can discuss the possible risks and benefits of treatment with you.

Does Tasigna cause withdrawal symptoms?

No, Tasigna doesn’t cause withdrawal symptoms. (Withdrawal symptoms are symptoms that occur when you stop taking a medication.) People who took Tasigna in clinical trials didn’t report withdrawal symptoms.

However, if you stop taking Tasigna, your leukemia may worsen or come back. And this could cause new or increased leukemia symptoms, such as night sweats or frequent infection.

If you’re thinking about stopping Tasigna, talk with your doctor. They can discuss the possible risks and benefits of stopping treatment. And they can help you decide if stopping treatment with Tasigna is the best option for you.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Tasigna may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Tasigna.

Hair loss

You may have hair loss or hair thinning while taking Tasigna. In clinical trials, hair loss was common in people who took Tasigna.

Note that hair loss is also a common side effect of other treatments for leukemia. Examples of these include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

What you can do

To help minimize hair loss with Tasigna, be gentle when washing and brushing your hair. Try to avoid styling methods that can pull on the hair, such as blow-drying, straightening, or curling. It may also help to avoid pulling hair into braids or a ponytail.

If you have questions or concerns about hair loss with Tasigna, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to help manage this side effect.

Cardiac side effects

Tasigna may cause cardiac side effects. These are side effects involving your heart. Tasigna has a boxed warning for the risk of QT prolongation (a type of heart rhythm problem) and sudden death. To read more about this cardiac side effect, see “Risk of QT prolongation and sudden death” below.

Tasigna can also cause the following side effects involving your heart:

Symptoms of cardiac side effects may include:

  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • feeling like your heart is racing, pounding, skipping beats, or beating irregularly
  • dizziness
  • fainting

You may have a raised risk of cardiac side effects with Tasigna if you already have heart problems. These include cardiovascular disease, a slow heart rate, or arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

What you can do

Your doctor will assess your risk of cardiac side effects before and during treatment with Tasigna. This can help make sure the medication is safe for you.

If you have symptoms of cardiac side effects during treatment, call your doctor right away. However, if your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Liver problems

Tasigna can sometimes cause liver problems, such as abnormal liver function, hepatitis, and liver damage.

In clinical trials, abnormal liver function was common with Tasigna, particularly in children taking the drug. However, hepatitis and liver damage were uncommon.

Symptoms of liver problems can include:

If you already have liver problems, you may have an increased risk of liver problems and other side effects while taking Tasigna.

What you can do

Your doctor will order blood tests called liver function tests to check your liver before and during Tasigna treatment. This can help make sure the medication is safe for you. Be sure to keep your appointments for these tests.

Liver function tests measure the levels of certain liver enzymes (types of proteins) and bilirubin in your blood. High levels of these proteins may be a sign of damage to your liver. Your doctor will typically order these tests every month while you take Tasigna.

If you have symptoms of liver problems while taking Tasigna, talk with your doctor. They may order a liver function test. If the test shows a problem with your liver, your doctor will likely lower your Tasigna dosage.

Low blood cell counts

As with many cancer treatments, you may have low blood cell counts while taking Tasigna. Tasigna can cause neutropenia (low white blood cell count), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), and anemia (low red blood cell count).

In clinical trials, low blood cell counts were common in people who took Tasigna. However, keep in mind that chronic myeloid leukemia (the condition Tasigna treats) can also cause low blood cell counts.

White blood cells help your body fight germs that can cause infection. Symptoms of low white blood cell counts can include:

Platelets help your blood form clots. Symptoms of low platelet counts can include:

Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. Symptoms of low red blood cell counts can include:

  • fatigue
  • shortness of breath
  • skin, gums, or nailbeds that are paler than usual

What you can do

Your doctor will order blood tests to check your blood cell counts before and during Tasigna treatment. This can help make sure Tasigna is safe for you. You’ll typically have blood tests every 2 weeks for the first 2 months of treatment. After this, you’ll typically have blood tests every month and whenever your doctor considers it necessary. Be sure to keep your appointments for these tests.

While taking Tasigna, take extra care to avoid infections, as your immune system may be weakened. Wash your hands with soap frequently and avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

If you have symptoms of low blood cell counts during your treatment, talk with your doctor. They may order a blood test to check your blood cells. If you have low blood cell counts, your doctor may ask you to stop treatment until your blood cells recover. If your doctor recommends restarting treatment, they may prescribe a lower dosage of Tasigna than you took before.

Risk of QT prolongation and sudden death

Tasigna has a boxed warning about the risk of QT prolongation and sudden death. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

QT prolongation is a type of abnormal heart rhythm. It’s sometimes called long QT syndrome. It’s caused by changes in the electrical signals in your heart. In clinical trials, QT prolongation was common with Tasigna.

Symptoms of QT prolongation can include:

  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • feeling like your heart is beating irregularly or skipping beats
  • fainting

QT prolongation can lead to serious heart problems. Sometimes, it can lead to sudden death. In clinical trials, sudden death was rare in people who took Tasigna.

There are several things that can raise your risk of QT prolongation with Tasigna. These include:

  • already having QT prolongation or long QT syndrome
  • having certain other heart problems, such as a slow heart rate or arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
  • having a low level of potassium or magnesium in your blood
  • taking certain other medications with Tasigna, such as Pacerone (amiodarone)
  • taking Tasigna with food, which increases absorption of Tasigna into your body
  • drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit, which increases the level of Tasigna in your blood

What you can do

Your doctor will order various tests before and during Tasigna treatment to make sure this medication is safe for you.

These tests include:

  • an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check your heart rhythm (needed before starting Tasigna, 7 days after starting Tasigna, after any dose adjustments, and from time to time during treatment)
  • blood tests to check your potassium, magnesium, and other electrolyte levels (needed before starting Tasigna and from time to time during treatment)

To help prevent QT prolongation while taking Tasigna, it’s important to:

  • tell your doctor about all medications, herbs, and supplements you take before you start Tasigna
  • check with your doctor before taking any new medications, herbs, and supplements with Tasigna
  • take Tasigna on an empty stomach (do not eat food in the 2 hours before and 1 hour after taking your dose)
  • avoid drinking grapefruit juice and eating grapefruit
  • keep your blood test appointments so your doctor can check your electrolyte levels
  • keep your EKG appointments so your doctor can check your heart rhythm
  • call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of QT prolongation (but if your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number)

If you have QT prolongation while taking Tasigna, your doctor will likely stop treatment temporarily. If your heart rhythm improves, they may ask you to restart Tasigna at a lower dosage than you took before. However, if your heart rhythm remains abnormal, your doctor will likely recommend switching to a different treatment for your leukemia.

If you’re concerned about your risk of QT prolongation with Tasigna, talk with your doctor.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Tasigna can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Tasigna. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Tasigna comes with several precautions and warnings. These are described below.

Boxed warnings

Tasigna has boxed warnings about risk of QT prolongation (a type of abnormal heart rhythm) and sudden death. These are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Other precautions

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Tasigna. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Low levels of potassium or magnesium. If you have low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood, you have a raised risk of serious heart problems, especially QT prolongation, with Tasigna. Your doctor will order blood tests to check your potassium and magnesium levels before and during treatment with Tasigna. They may prescribe medication to manage low potassium and magnesium levels to make sure Tasigna is safe for you.

Intolerance to milk sugars, such as lactose. Tasigna capsules contain lactose. If you have severe problems digesting, absorbing, or tolerating lactose, glucose, or galactose, Tasigna may not be right for you. Talk with your doctor about possible alternative treatments.

Cardiovascular disease. If you have cardiovascular disease, you may have a raised risk of blood vessel blockages with Tasigna. These blockages can affect blood flow to your legs, heart, or brain. Having risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or diabetes, can also raise your risk of this side effect. Your doctor will assess your cardiovascular risk before and during treatment with Tasigna to make sure this treatment is safe for you.

Liver problems. If you have liver problems, you may have an increased risk of serious side effects with Tasigna. Your doctor will order blood tests to check your liver before and during treatment with Tasigna to make sure this treatment is safe for you. Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor may prescribe a dosage of Tasigna that’s lower than usual.

History of pancreatitis. If you’ve had pancreatitis (inflammation of your pancreas) in the past, you may have a raised risk of pancreatitis with Tasigna. Talk with your doctor about whether Tasigna is safe for you.

Other medications, herbs, and supplements. Taking certain medications, herbs, and supplements with Tasigna can increase your risk of Tasigna side effects. Be sure to talk with your doctor about all the medications you take.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Tasigna or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Tasigna. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Alcohol and Tasigna

Alcohol isn’t known to interact with Tasigna. However, drinking alcohol during your treatment could increase certain Tasigna side effects, such as nausea and dizziness. It could also raise your risk of liver problems, which are a serious side effect of Tasigna.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much (if any) is safe to consume during treatment with Tasigna.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Tasigna

Tasigna hasn’t been studied in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. However, based on animal studies and the way the drug works, Tasigna may be harmful if taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. However, animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans.

If you can become pregnant, your doctor will likely recommend that you take a pregnancy test before prescribing Tasigna. This is to confirm that you’re not pregnant. And they’ll likely recommend that you use birth control to prevent pregnancy during treatment and for 2 weeks after your last dose of Tasigna.

If you’re pregnant or planning pregnancy, talk with your doctor about alternative treatment options.

If you’re breastfeeding or thinking about it, talk with your doctor about healthy ways to feed your child while you take Tasigna. You shouldn’t breastfeed while taking Tasigna and for 2 weeks after your last dose.

As with many cancer treatments, Tasigna has several common side effects. These are usually mild and easily managed. However, some can be serious or even life threatening. Your doctor will monitor you closely during your treatment so that serious side effects can be spotted early and managed quickly.

If you’d like to learn more about Tasigna, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects of taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Tasigna. For details about other aspects of Tasigna, refer to this article.
  • Dosage details. To learn about Tasigna’s dosage, see this article.
  • Drug comparison. Learn how Tasigna compares with Sprycel and with Gleevec.
  • Details about leukemia. For details about your condition, see our cancer hub and our list of leukemia articles.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.