Nilotinib
Also sold as: Tasigna, Danziten
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Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action Nilotinib is an inhibitor of the BCR-ABL kinase. Nilotinib binds to and stabilizes the inactive conformation of the kinase domain of ABL protein. In vitro , nilotinib inhibited BCR-ABL mediated proliferation of murine leukemic cell lines and human cell lines derived from patients with Ph+ CML. Under the conditions of the assays, nilotinib was able to overcome imatinib resistance resulting from BCR-ABL kinase mutations, in 32 out of 33 mutations tested. Nilotinib inhibited the autophosphorylation of the following kinases at IC50 values as indicated: BCR-ABL (20 to 60 nM), PDGFR (69 nM), c-KIT (210 nM), CSF-1R (125 to 250 nM), and DDR1 (3.7 nM).
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Nilotinib capsules are a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of: Adult and pediatric patients greater than or equal to 1 year of age with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase. ( 1.1 ) Adult patients with chronic phase (CP) and accelerated phase (AP) Ph+ CML resistant to or intolerant to prior therapy that included imatinib. ( 1.2 ) Pediatric patients greater than or equal to 1 year of age with Ph+ CML-CP resistant or intolerant to prior tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. (1.3) 1.1 Adult and Pediatric Patients With Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP Nilotinib capsules are indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients greater than or equal to 1 year of age with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase. 1.2 Adult Patients With Resistant or Intolerant Ph+ CML-CP and CML-AP Nilotinib capsules are indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic phase and accelerated phase Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (Ph+ CML) resistant or intolerant to prior therapy that included imatinib. 1.3 Pediatric Patients With Resistant or Intolerant Ph+ CML-CP Nilotinib capsules are indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients greater than or equal to 1 year of age with chronic phase Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) with resistance or intolerance to prior tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Additional pediatric use information is approved for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation’s TASIGNA (nilotinib) capsules. However, due to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that pediatric information.
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended Adult Dose: Newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP: 300 mg orally twice daily. Resistant or intolerant Ph+ CML-CP and CML-AP: 400 mg orally twice daily. ( 2.1 ) Recommended Pediatric Dose: Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP or Ph+ CML-CP resistant or intolerant to prior TKI therapy: 230 mg/m 2 orally twice daily, rounded to the nearest 50 mg dose (to a maximum single dose of 400 mg). ( 2.1 ) See Dosage and Administration for full dosing instructions and dose-reduction instructions for toxicity. ( 2.1 ) Reduce starting dose in patients with baseline hepatic impairment. ( 2.7 ) Eligible newly diagnosed adult patients with Ph+ CML-CP who have received nilotinib capsules for a minimum of 3 years and have achieved a sustained molecular response (MR4.5) and patients with Ph+ CML-CP resistant or intolerant to imatinib who have received nilotinib capsules for at least 3 years and have achieved a sustained molecular response (MR4.5) may be considered for treatment discontinuation. ( 2.2 , 2.3 , 5.16 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage Dose nilotinib capsules twice daily at approximately 12-hour intervals on an empty stomach. No food should be consumed for at least 2 hours before the dose is taken and for at least 1 hour after the dose is taken. Advise patients to swallow the capsules whole with water [ see Boxed Warning , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. For patients who are unable to swallow capsules, the contents of each capsule may be dispersed in 1 teaspoon of applesauce (puréed apple). The mixture should be taken immediately (within 15 minutes) and should not be stored for future use [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Nilotinib capsules may be given in combination with hematopoietic growth factors, such as erythropoietin or G-CSF if clinically indicated. Nilotinib capsules may be given with hydroxyurea or anagrelide if clinically indicated. Dosage in Adult Patients with Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP The recommended dosage of nilotinib capsules are 300 mg orally twice daily. Dosage in Adult Patients with Resistant or Intolerant Ph+ CML-CP and CML-AP The recommended dosage of nilotinib capsules are 400 mg orally twice daily. Dosage in Pediatric Patients with Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP or Resistant or Intolerant Ph+ CML-CP The recommended dosage of nilotinib capsules for pediatric patients is 230 mg/m2 orally twice daily, rounded to the nearest 50 mg dose (to a maximum single dose of 400 mg) (see Table 1). If needed, attain the desired dose by combining different strengths of nilotinib capsules. Continue treatment as long as clinical benefit is observed or until unacceptable toxicity occurs. Table 1: Pediatric Dosing of Nilotinib capsules (230 mg/m 2 Twice Daily, Maximum Single Dose of 400 mg) Body surface area Single dose Total daily dose Up to 0.32 m 2 50 mg 100 mg 0.33 – 0.54 m 2 100 mg 200 mg 0.55 – 0.76 m 2 150 mg 300 mg 0.77 – 0.97 m 2 200 mg 400 mg 0.98 – 1.19 m 2 250 mg 500 mg 1.20 – 1.41 m 2 300 mg 600 mg 1.42 – 1.63 m 2 350 mg 700 mg ≥ 1.64 m 2 400 mg 800 mg Additional pediatric use information is approved for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation’s TASIGNA (nilotinib) capsules. However, due to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that pediatric information. 2.2 Discontinuation of Treatment After a Sustained Molecular Response (MR4.5) on Nilotinib Capsules Patient Selection Eligibility for Discontinuation of Treatment Ph+ CML-CP patients with typical BCR-ABL transcripts, who have been taking nilotinib capsules for a minimum of 3 years and have achieved a sustained molecular response (MR4.5, corresponding to = BCR-ABL/ABL ≤ 0.0032% IS), may be eligible for treatment discontinuation [ see Clinical Studies (14.3 , 14.4) ]. Information on FDA authorized tests for the detection and quantitation of BCR-ABL transcripts to determine eligibility for treatment discontinuation is available at http://www.fda.gov/CompanionDiagnostics. Patients with typical BCR-ABL transcripts (e13a2/b2a2 or e14a2/b3a2), who achieve the sustained MR4.5 criteria, are eligible for discontinuation of nilotinib capsules. Patients must continue to be monitored for possible loss of molecular remission after treatment discontinuation. Use the same FDA-authorized test to consistently monitor molecular response levels while on and off treatment. Consider discontinuation in patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP who have: been treated with nilotinib capsules for at least 3 years maintained a molecular response of at least MR4.0 (corresponding to = BCR-ABL/ABL ≤ 0.01% IS) for one year prior to discontinuation of therapy achieved an MR4.5 for the last assessment taken immediately prior to discontinuation of therapy been confirmed to express the typical BCR-ABL transcripts (e13a2/b2a2 or e14a2/b3a2) no history of accelerated phase or blast crisis no history of prior attempts of treatment-free remission discontinuation that resulted in relapse. Consider discontinuation i
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions can occur with nilotinib and are discussed in greater detail in other sections of labeling: Myelosuppression [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] QT Prolongation [ see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Sudden Deaths [ see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Cardiac and Arterial Vascular Occlusive Events [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Pancreatitis and Elevated Serum Lipase [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Hepatotoxicity [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Electrolyte Abnormalities [ see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Hemorrhage [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Fluid Retention [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] The most commonly reported non-hematologic adverse reactions (≥ 20%) in adult and pediatric patients were nausea, rash, headache, fatigue, pruritus, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, constipation, arthralgia, nasopharyngitis, pyrexia, and night sweats. Hematologic adverse drug reactions include myelosuppression: thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and anemia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Novadoz Pharmaceuticals LLC at 1-855-668-2369 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In Adult Patients With Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP The data below reflect exposure to nilotinib from a randomized trial in patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ CML in chronic phase treated at the recommended dose of 300 mg twice daily (n = 279). The median time on treatment in the nilotinib 300 mg twice daily group was 61 months (range, 0.1 to 71 months). The median actual dose intensity was 593 mg/day in the nilotinib 300 mg twice daily group. The most common (greater than 10%) non-hematologic adverse drug reactions were rash, pruritus, headache, nausea, fatigue, alopecia, myalgia, and upper abdominal pain. Constipation, diarrhea, dry skin, muscle spasms, arthralgia, abdominal pain, peripheral edema, vomiting, and asthenia were observed less commonly (less than or equal to 10% and greater than 5%) and have been of mild-to-moderate severity, manageable and generally did not require dose reduction. Increase in QTcF greater than 60 msec from baseline was observed in 1 patient (0.4%) in the 300 mg twice daily treatment group. No patient had an absolute QTcF of greater than 500 msec while on study drug. The most common hematologic adverse drug reactions (all Grades) were myelosuppression, including: thrombocytopenia (18%), neutropenia (15%), and anemia (8%). See Table 9 for Grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities. Discontinuation due to adverse reactions, regardless of relationship to study drug, was observed in 10% of patients. In Adult Patients With Resistant or Intolerant Ph+ CML-CP and CML-AP In the single-arm, open-label multicenter clinical trial, a total of 458 patients with Ph+ CML-CP and CML-AP resistant to or intolerant to at least one prior therapy, including imatinib were treated (CML-CP = 321; CML-AP = 137) at the recommended dose of 400 mg twice daily. The median duration of exposure in days for CML-CP and CML-AP patients is 561 (range, 1 to 1096) and 264 (range, 2 to 1160), respectively. The median dose intensity for patients with CML-CP and CML-AP is 789 mg/day (range, 151 to 1110) and 780 mg/day (range, 150 to 1149), respectively, and corresponded to the planned 400 mg twice daily dosing. The median cumulative duration in days of dose interruptions for the CML-CP patients was 20 (range, 1 to 345), and the median duration in days of dose interruptions for the CML-AP patients was 23 (range, 1 to 234). In patients with CML-CP, the most commonly reported non-hematologic adverse drug reactions (greater than or equal to 10%) were rash, pruritus, nausea, fatigue, headache, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and myalgia. The common serious drug-related adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 1% and less than 10%) were thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and anemia. In patients with CML-AP, the most commonly reported non-hematologic adverse drug reactions (greater than or equal to 10%) were rash, pruritus and fatigue. The common serious adverse drug reactions (greater than or equal to 1% and less than 10%) were thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, pneumonia, leukopenia, intracranial hemorrhage, elevated lipase, and pyrexia. Sudden deaths and QT prolongation were reported. The maximum mean QTcF change from baseline at steady-state was 10 msec. Increase in QTcF greater than 60 msec from baseline was observed in 4.1% of the patients and QTcF of greater than 500 msec was observed in 4 patients (less than 1%) [ see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.2 , 5.3) , C
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Strong CYP3A Inhibitors : Avoid concomitant use with nilotinib, or reduce nilotinib dose if coadministration cannot be avoided. ( 7.1 ) Strong CYP3A Inducers : Avoid concomitant use with nilotinib. ( 7.1 ) Proton Pump Inhibitors : Use short-acting antacids or H2 blockers as an alternative to proton pump inhibitors. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on Nilotinib Strong CYP3A Inhibitors Concomitant use with a strong CYP3A inhibitor increased nilotinib concentrations compared to nilotinib alone [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may increase the risk of nilotinib toxicities. Avoid concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors with nilotinib. If patients must be coadministered a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, reduce nilotinib dose [ see Dosage and Administration (2.8) ] . Strong CYP3A Inducers Concomitant use with a strong CYP3A inducer decreased nilotinib concentrations compared to nilotinib alone [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may reduce nilotinib efficacy. Avoid concomitant use of strong CYP3A inducers with nilotinib. Proton Pump Inhibitors Concomitant use with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) decreased nilotinib concentrations compared to nilotinib alone [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may reduce nilotinib efficacy. Avoid concomitant use of PPI with nilotinib. As an alternative to PPIs, use H2 blockers approximately 10 hours before or approximately 2 hours after the dose of nilotinib, or use antacids approximately 2 hours before or approximately 2 hours after the dose of nilotinib. 7.2 Drugs That Prolong the QT Interval Avoid coadministration of nilotinib with agents that may prolong the QT interval, such as anti-arrhythmic drugs [ see Boxed Warning , Dosage and Administration (2.4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.2) , Drug Interactions (7.1) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ].
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Nilotinib is contraindicated in patients with hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, or long QT syndrome [ see Boxed Warning ]. Nilotinib is contraindicated in patients with hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, or long QT syndrome. ( 4 )
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Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.