7 replies to this topic

[WoofWoof]

I just received a call from my pharmacy that my Tasigna dosage has change. I was taking (2) 200mg/twice a day now it's gone to (2) 150mg/twice a day. My Oncs' ofiice confirmed the the doctor did change the dosage. Not that I'm worried about it  (yet) but has anyone else had  their dosage reduced?

[CallMeLucky]

Per NCCN guidelines, both 300mg and 400mg dosages are approved for treatment.

I found this section in the guidelines rather interesting.

"In a phase III, randomized, open label, multicenter trial [Evaluating Nilotinib Efficacy and Safety in Clinical Trials-Nelwy Diagnosed Patients (ENESTnd) study, the efficacy and safety of nilotinib (300 mg or 400 mg twice daily) was compared to that of imatinib (400 mg once daily) in patients newly diagnosed chronic phase CML.  At 12 months, the rates of MMR (the primary endpoint) were 44% for the 300-mg dose and 43% for the 400-mg dose vs. 22% for imatinib.  The rates of CCyR by 12 months (80% for the 300-mg dose and 78% for the 400mg dose vs 65% for imatinib) were also higher for nilotinib than for imatinib.

Patient receiving nilotinib at either of the two dose levels had a significant improvement in the time to progression to the accelerated phase or blast crisis, as compared with those receiving imatinib.  The rate of progression to accelerated or blast phase was 4% with imatinib and less than 1% with nilotinib."

So at the very least it appears the two dosage levels are equally effective.  (I don't think the 1%-2% favoring 300 mg really means anything).  From what I have read the higher dosage of Tasinga is more relevant when dealing with relapsed CML or someone who has progressed to accelerated phase or blast crisis.

[Trey]

300mg twice daily is now the recommended dosage.  Your Onc is just catching up.

Message was edited by: Trey

[CMLMN]

Thanks for this information.  I'm going to check with my Dr.  Hoping that lower dosage will improve my rash side effect. 

[Trey]

I had a typo in my previous posting above, which I have now corrected.  I had originally left out the word "twice", but I assume you probably understood anyway.

[WoofWoof]

Trey- I did know what you meant, but there will still be a reduction in your pay this week. There's something about "Trey" missing the word "twice" that struck me funny.

[Trey]

Thrice is my favorite.  Twice is over-rated.

[WoofWoof]

Touche Trey!