When previous leukaemia treatments are no longer effective, asciminib is used to treat a specific type of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML; a type of cancer of the white blood cells). Asciminib belongs to the group of drugs known as kinase inhibitors. It functions by preventing the action of a problematic protein that instructs cancer cells to proliferate. This slows the growth of cancerous cells.

Asciminib is available as a tablet to be swallowed. On an empty stomach, it is often taken once or twice a day (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal). Asciminib should be taken every day at around the same time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Asciminib should be taken as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Do not chew, break, or crush the tablets; instead, swallow them whole.

Depending on how you respond to treatment and any adverse effects, your doctor may change your asciminib dosage or temporarily or permanently cease your medication. Discuss your feelings regarding your treatment with your doctor. Even if you feel good, keep taking asciminib. Without first consulting your physician, do not discontinue taking asciminib.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking asciminib,

• If you have an allergy to asciminib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in asciminib, tell your doctor and pharmacist before using asciminib. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you are currently taking or intend to take. Incorporate any of the following: anticoagulants (also known as “blood thinners”) like dabigatran (Pradaxa), apixaban (Eliquis), and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in PrevPac); clopidogrel (Plavix); some antifungals such fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and voriconazole (Vfend); dexamethasone, glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta), and rosiglitazone (Avandia) are among drugs used to treat diabetes. Other drugs used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) include atazanavir (Reyataz), dolutegravir (Tivicay, in Dovato, Juluca, Triumeq (Viracept), s ome drugs used to treat high blood pressure include amlodipine (Norvasc, in Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel), diltiazem (Cardizem), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar), and verapamil (Calan, Verelan); rilpivirine (Edurant, in Cabenuva Kit, Complera, Juluca, andOdefsey); a few drugs for high cholesterol, including atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol XL), lovastatin (Altoprev), and simvastatin (Zocor, Flolipid, in Vytorin); and a few drugs for seizures, including carbamazepine (Tegretol), diazepam (Valium), phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakene). Additionally, let your doctor know if you’re taking itraconazole oral solution because it can contain a non-active component that could interfere with asciminib. Asciminib may also interact with a variety of other drugs, so be sure to inform your doctor about all the drugs you are taking, even those not on this list. Your doctor may advise against using asciminib, require you to adjust the dosage of your medications, or carefully watch you for side effects.
• If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, let your doctor know. While taking asciminib and for 1 week following your last dose, you shouldn’t get pregnant. Discuss effective birth control options with your doctor. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking asciminib. The foetus could suffer from asciminib.
• While taking asciminib and for 1 week following your last dose, avoid breastfeeding.
• You should be aware that this medicine may lower a woman’s fertility. You should discuss the dangers of using asciminib with your doctor.

In the event that you regularly take a drug daily and it has been more than 12 hours since your usual dose, skip the pill and resume your regular schedule the following day. If you typically take the medication twice daily and it has been more than 6 hours since your usual dose, skip the dose and continue taking the medication according to your regular schedule with the subsequent dose. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

There may be adverse consequences from asciminib. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Joint, muscle, or muscle ache
• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you encounter any of these symptoms, or seek emergency care:

• Blood in the faeces or urine, easy or sudden bleeding, or bruises
• Fever or illness symptoms
• Abrupt discomfort or agony in the stomach, nausea, or vomiting
• Shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches, dizziness, or confusion
• Rash, breathing issues, swelling of the cheeks, lips, or tongue, skin flushing, lightheadedness or vertigo, fever, and a rapid heartbeat
• Chest pain or pressure, swelling in the ankles or feet, weight gain, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, decreased eyesight or loss of vision, difficulty speaking, pain in the arms, legs, back, neck, or jaw are some symptoms to watch out for.

Other negative effects of asciminib are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Significant bruising or bleeding
• Fever, chills, sore throat, and/or other symptoms of infection
• Breathing difficulty
• Rapid heart rate
• Headache
• Light skin
• Confusion
• Tiredness

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To monitor your body’s reaction to asciminib, your doctor may request specific lab tests.

Inform the lab staff and your doctor that you are taking asciminib prior to any laboratory test.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

Your blood pressure may rise as a result of this drug. While using this drug, you might need to routinely check your blood pressure. If you observe any changes in your blood pressure, please inform your doctor.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.