Ponatinib
Also sold as: Iclusig
Related Medications
These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.
Classification: Protein Kinase Inhibitors (source: RxClass/NLM)
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Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action Ponatinib is a kinase inhibitor. Ponatinib inhibited the in vitro tyrosine kinase activity of ABL and T315I mutant ABL with IC 50 concentrations of 0.4 nM and 2.0 nM, respectively. Ponatinib inhibited the in vitro activity of additional kinases with IC 50 concentrations between 0.1 nM and 20 nM, including members of the VEGFR, PDGFR, FGFR, EPH receptors and SRC families of kinases, and KIT, RET, TIE2, and FLT3. Ponatinib inhibited the in vitro viability of cells expressing native or mutant BCR::ABL, including T315I. In mice, treatment with ponatinib reduced the size of tumors expressing native or T315I mutant BCR::ABL when compared to controls.
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ICLUSIG ® is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with: Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Ph+ ALL) Newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL in combination with chemotherapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative complete remission (CR) at the end of induction [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s). As monotherapy in Ph+ ALL for whom no other kinase inhibitors are indicated or T315I-positive Ph+ ALL. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Chronic phase (CP) CML with resistance or intolerance to at least two prior kinase inhibitors. Accelerated phase (AP) or blast phase (BP) CML for whom no other kinase inhibitors are indicated. T315I-positive CML (chronic phase, accelerated phase, or blast phase). ICLUSIG is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with: Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Ph+ ALL) Newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL, in combination with chemotherapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative complete remission (CR) at the end of induction. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s). ( 1 ) As monotherapy in Ph+ ALL for whom no other kinase inhibitors are indicated or T315I-positive Ph+ ALL. ( 1 ) Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Chronic phase (CP) CML with resistance or intolerance to at least two prior kinase inhibitors. ( 1 ) Accelerated phase (AP) or blast phase (BP) CML for whom no other kinase inhibitors are indicated. ( 1 ) T315I-positive CML (chronic phase, accelerated phase, or blast phase). ( 1 ) Limitations of Use : ICLUSIG is not indicated and is not recommended for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed CP-CML. ( 5.7 ) Limitations of Use : ICL
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended Dosage in Newly Diagnosed Ph+ ALL : Starting dose is 30 mg orally once daily in combination with chemotherapy, with a reduction to 15 mg once daily upon achievement of MRD-negative (≤0.01% BCR::ABL1/ABL1) CR at the end of induction. ( 2.1 ) Recommended Dosage in Monotherapy for Ph+ ALL for Whom No Other Kinase Inhibitors are Indicated or T315I-positive Ph+ ALL : Starting dose is 45 mg orally once daily. ( 2.1 ) Recommended Dosage in CP-CML : Starting dose is 45 mg orally once daily with a reduction to 15 mg once daily upon achievement of ≤1% BCR::ABL1 IS . ( 2.1 ) Recommended Dosage in AP-CML and BP-CML : Starting dose is 45 mg orally once daily. ( 2.1 ) Hepatic Impairment : See the Full Prescribing Information for dosage modifications for hepatic impairment. ( 2.4 ) ICLUSIG may be taken with or without food. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage Newly Diagnosed Ph+ ALL The recommended starting dosage of ICLUSIG in combination with chemotherapy is 30 mg orally once daily with a reduction to 15 mg orally once daily upon achievement of MRD-negative (≤0.01% BCR::ABL1/ABL1) CR at the end of induction. Continue ICLUSIG in combination with chemotherapy for up to 20 cycles until loss of response or unacceptable toxicity [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . For a description of dosing of agents administered in combination with ICLUSIG, [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Monotherapy for Ph+ ALL for Whom No Other Kinase Inhibitors Are Indicated or T315I-positive Ph+ ALL The optimal dose of ICLUSIG has not been identified. The recommended starting dosage of ICLUSIG is 45 mg orally once daily. Continue ICLUSIG until loss of response or unacceptable toxicity. Consider discontinuing ICLUSIG if response has not occurred by 3 months. CP-CML The recommended starting dosage of ICLUSIG is 45 mg orally once daily with a reduction to 15 mg orally once daily upon achievement of ≤1% BCR::ABL1 IS . Patients with loss of response can re-escalate the dose of ICLUSIG to a previously tolerated dosage of 30 mg or 45 mg orally once daily. Continue ICLUSIG until loss of response at the re-escalated dose or unacceptable toxicity. Consider discontinuing ICLUSIG if hematologic response has not occurred by 3 months. AP-CML and BP-CML The optimal dose of ICLUSIG has not been identified. The recommended starting dosage of ICLUSIG is 45 mg orally once daily. Consider reducing the dose of ICLUSIG for patients with accelerated phase (AP) CML who have achieved a major cytogenetic response. Continue ICLUSIG until loss of response or unacceptable toxicity. Consider discontinuing ICLUSIG if response has not occurred by 3 months. Administration Advise patients of the following: ICLUSIG may be taken with or without food. Swallow tablets whole. Do not crush, break, cut or chew tablets. If a dose is missed, take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time the next day. 2.2 Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions Recommended dosage modifications of ICLUSIG for adverse reactions are provided in Table 1 and recommended dose reductions of ICLUSIG for adverse reactions are presented in Table 2. Table 1: Recommended Dosage Modifications for ICLUSIG for Adverse Reactions Adverse Reaction Severity ICLUSIG Dosage Modifications Based on CTCAE v5.0: Grade 1 mild, Grade 2 moderate, Grade 3 severe, Grade 4 life-threatening ULN = Upper Limit of Normal for the lab; AOE = Arterial Occlusive Event; VTE = Venous Thromboembolic Event; ANC = absolute neutrophil count AOE: cardiovascular or cerebrovascular [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Grade 1 Interrupt ICLUSIG until resolved, then resume at same dose. Grade 2 Interrupt ICLUSIG until Grade 0 or 1, then resume at next lower dose. Discontinue ICLUSIG if recurrence. Grade 3 or 4 Discontinue ICLUSIG. AOE: peripheral vascular and other or VTE [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.2) ] Grade 1 Interrupt ICLUSIG until resolved, then resume at same dose. Grade 2 Interrupt ICLUSIG until Grade 0 or 1, then resume at same dose. If recurrence, interrupt ICLUSIG until Grade 0 or 1, then resume at next lower dose. Grade 3 Interrupt ICLUSIG until Grade 0 or 1, then resume at next lower dose. Discontinue ICLUSIG if recurrence. Grade 4 Discontinue ICLUSIG. Heart Failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Grade 2 or 3 Interrupt ICLUSIG until Grade 0 or 1, then resume at next lower dose. Discontinue ICLUSIG if recurrence. Grade 4 Discontinue ICLUSIG. Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] AST or ALT greater than 3 times ULN Interrupt ICLUSIG until Grade 0 or 1, then resume at next lower dose. AST or ALT at least 3 times ULN concurrent with bilirubin greater than 2 times ULN and alkaline phosphatase less than 2 times ULN Discontinue ICLUSIG. Pancreatitis and Elevated Lipase [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Serum lipase greater than 1 to 1.5 times ULN Consider interrupting ICLUSIG until resolution, then resume at same dose. Serum lipase greater than 1.5 to 2 times ULN, 2 to 5 times ULN a
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Arterial Occlusive Events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Venous Thromboembolic Events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Heart Failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Ocular Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Fluid Retention [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] Cardiac Arrhythmias [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] Myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] Tumor Lysis Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14) ] Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15) ] Impaired Wound Healing and Gastrointestinal Perforation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.16) ] Most common adverse reactions (occurring in >20% of patients) are: ICLUSIG as a single agent: rash and related conditions, arthralgia, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, constipation, hypertension, dry skin, hepatotoxicity, fluid retention and edema, pyrexia, pancreatitis/lipase elevation, nausea, hemorrhage, anemia, AOEs, and cardiac arrhythmias. The most common Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities (>20%) are platelet count decreased, neutrophil cell count decreased, and white blood cell decreased. ( 6.1 ) ICLUSIG in combination with chemotherapy: hepatotoxicity, arthralgia, rash and related conditions, headache, pyrexia, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, nausea, oral mucositis, hypertension, pancreatitis/lipase elevation, neuropathy peripheral, hemorrhage, febrile neutropenia, fluid retention and edema, vomiting, paresthesia, and cardiac arrhythmias. The most common Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities (>20%) are decreased white blood cell count, decreased neutrophil cell count, decreased platelet count, decreased lymphocyte cell count, decreased hemoglobin, increased lipase, and increased alanine aminotransferase. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Takeda Pharmaceuticals at 1-844-817-6468 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 with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The most common adverse reactions identified in the Highlights of the Prescribing Information are based on two safety populations. The first is from a pooled safety population of 543 patients with CML or resistant or intolerant Ph+ ALL (OPTIC and PACE studies) who received ICLUSIG as a single agent at a starting dose of 45 mg orally once daily. In this pooled safety population, the most common (>20%) adverse reactions were rash and related conditions, arthralgia, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, constipation, hypertension, dry skin, hepatotoxicity, fluid retention and edema, pyrexia, pancreatitis/lipase elevation, nausea, hemorrhage, anemia, AOEs and cardiac arrhythmias. The most common Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities (>20%) were platelet count decreased, neutrophil cell count decreased, and white blood cell decreased. The second safety population is from 163 patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL (PhALLCON study) who received ICLUSIG in combination with chemotherapy at a starting dose of 30 mg orally once daily. The most common adverse reactions (>20%) included hepatotoxicity, arthralgia, rash and related conditions, headache, pyrexia, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, nausea, oral mucositis, hypertension, pancreatitis/lipase elevation, neuropathy peripheral, hemorrhage, febrile neutropenia, fluid retention and edema, vomiting, paresthesia, and cardiac arrhythmias. The most common Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities (>20%) included decreased white blood cell count, decreased neutrophil cell count, decreased platelet count, decreased lymphocyte cell count, decreased hemoglobin, increased lipase, and increased ALT. Newly Diagnosed Ph+ ALL The safety of ICLUSIG was evaluated in PhALLCON, a randomized, active-controlled, multicenter trial conducted in patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Patients received ICLUSIG (n=163) or imatinib 600 mg (n=81) in combination with reduced-intensity chemotherapy followed by continued treatment with ICLUSIG or imatinib as a single agent (imatinib in combination with chemotherapy is not an approved regimen in adult patients). In the ICLUSIG arm, patients received a starting dosage of ICLUSIG 30 mg orally once daily in combination with chemotherapy, with a reduction to 15 mg orally once daily upon achievement of MRD-negative CR at the end of induction. The median durati
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Strong CYP3A Inhibitors : Avoid coadministration or reduce ICLUSIG dose if coadministration cannot be avoided. ( 2.3 , 7.1 ) Strong CYP3A Inducers : Avoid coadministration. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on ICLUSIG Strong CYP3A Inhibitors Coadministration of ICLUSIG with a strong CYP3A inhibitor increases ponatinib plasma concentrations [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may increase the risk of ICLUSIG adverse reactions. Avoid coadministration of ICLUSIG with strong CYP3A inhibitors. If coadministration of ICLUSIG with strong CYP3A inhibitors cannot be avoided, reduce the ICLUSIG dosage [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . Strong CYP3A Inducers Coadministration of ICLUSIG with a strong CYP3A inducer decreases ponatinib plasma concentrations [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Avoid coadministration of ICLUSIG with strong CYP3A inducers unless the benefit outweighs the risk of decreased ponatinib exposure. Monitor patients for reduced efficacy. Selection of concomitant medication with no or minimal CYP3A induction potential is recommended.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None. ( 4 )
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Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is sourced from FDA-approved labeling data and is for educational reference only. It does not constitute medical advice. This information does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always verify with current prescribing information and consult a licensed healthcare professional before any clinical decision. Read full disclaimer.
Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.