7 replies to this topic

[Gratefulwife]

New to forum and put question in wrong place. My husband is considering lowering tasigna from standard 300 mg twice a day to 400 mg once a day. His only side effects are hair loss and rash. He has been VERY fortunate. Also he was diagnosed two years ago with 37,000 WBC and was undetectable at three months. That is why I call myself gratefulwife.

Has anyone had experience lowering dose?  Does it help reduce hair loss and other side effects?  But more important, any problems with relapse and if there is a problem can going back to standard dosage help achieve MMR again. We do not want to mess with our good fortune of undetectable. Working with UCLA specialist. Thank you so much for sharing any experience.

[mariebow]

  I was dx jan 2012 with CML and started Tasigna 300mg twice a day, after the first week, my doc put me on 150mg twice a day due to muscle and bone pain.  I was MMR I believe 9 months later.

[Gratefulwife]

that is wonderful news.  This onc has been discussing going to 400 once a day.  I wonder about others who have gone on that regime.  But hearing that you reached MMR on total of 300 mg per day is wonderful news.  thank you for sharing.

Anyone else?

[lizy1013]

I started Tasigna in January 2013 at 200 mg. twice a day.  Because of side effects, around May 2013 I started 200 mg. once a day.  So far, my bloodwork has been fine.

[Gratefulwife]

More wonderful news!  Since my husband is undetectable, i believe that equates with Complete Molecular Respond (CMR).  Would be interested to know if others were undetectable when they went to lower dose and REMAINED undetectable on lower dose. 

[LLawrence]

Sorry it has taken this long to answer (sign in problems).  I have been on 150 mg 2 x day of Tasigna for 6 mos and so far have remained undetectable on the lower dosage.  My side effects are much more tolerable on the lower dose.

[Gratefulwife]

llawrence, can you confirm that it is 150 mg twice a day?  That's what he hopes to get to, but right now is going to 200 mg twice a day. Thanks.  Great news!

[LLawrence]

Yes, 150 twice a day.  I was undetectable on 300 twice a day and so far have held it at 150 twice a day.  Fingers crossed.

LL