Has your doctor prescribed you or someone in your family a medicine called Asciminib as a treatment for leukemia? When you hear about such a new, advanced medicine, it is normal for you to have a lot of questions about it. You may be wondering things like, "What does this do?", "How exactly do I use it?", "Are there any side effects?" Don't worry. Today, we will talk about this medicine in simple Sinhala that you can understand, as if you were talking to a friend.
What is Asciminib?
Simply put, Asciminib is a special medicine that is given to treat certain types of cancer, such as leukemia. There is a special protein in our body that helps cancer cells grow and multiply. This medicine blocks the action of that protein. Then the ability of cancer cells to grow is reduced, or they stop completely. In this way, this medicine helps to control the spread of cancer throughout the body.
Things to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before starting this medication, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Be sure to tell them if you have any of the following:
- If you have a history of blood clots .
- If you suffer from heart disease .
- If you have previously had pancreatitis .
- If you have had an allergic reaction to this medicine, asciminib, or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant , or planning to have a baby soon.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
Based on this information, your doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you or whether the dosage needs to be changed.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medication, it is very important to use it correctly.
- This tablet should be taken by mouth . Swallow it whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet.
- Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day. This will help keep the medicine at the same level in your body.
- This is very important: This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach . That is, at least 2 hours before or at least 1 hour after eating .
- If you experience any side effects, your doctor may want to change the dose of your medication or stop taking it for a while. Never change the dose or stop taking your medication without your doctor's advice.
- Do not take this medicine with grapefruit juice . It may affect the way the medicine works.
Important note: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give this medicine to someone else just because they have the same symptoms as you.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, do not panic and take immediate action. Call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital as soon as possible. Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
This happens to many people. Don't worry.
- If you are taking your pill once a day: Take your pill as soon as you remember. However, if it is more than 12 hours late , skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
- If you are taking your pill twice a day: Take the pill as soon as you remember. However, if it is more than 6 hours late , skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. If you are unsure about this, ask your doctor.
What other things can interact with this medicine?
Asciminib can interact with some other medications you are taking, so it is important to tell your doctor about everything you are taking.
Here are some examples:
- Some antibiotics (e.g. clarithromycin)
- Some antivirals given for HIV or hepatitis
- Some medications for fungal infections (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole)
- Grapefruit juice
- Blood thinners such as Warfarin
- Some medications for diabetes (e.g. Repaglinide, Rosiglitazone)
This list is not exhaustive. Therefore, tell your doctor about all medications (Western, Ayurvedic, herbal), vitamins, and supplements you are taking, as well as if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things you should be especially careful about while taking the medicine
- Regular check-ups: Your doctor will often ask you to see him or her regularly to check on the progress of your treatment. Be sure to go at those times. You may also need to have blood work done.
- Risk of infection: This medicine may lower your body's immunity a little. Therefore, you are more likely to get infections. If you develop symptoms like fever, chills, sore throat, or cough , do not self-medicate and talk to your doctor. Try to avoid places where sick people hang out.
- Bleeding or bruising: This medicine may cause increased bleeding from even a minor injury, or you may develop bruising on your body. If you experience any unusual bleeding , tell your doctor immediately.
- Pregnancy and birth control: This is very important. You should avoid getting pregnant while taking this medication and for a week after stopping the medication . This medication can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. Therefore, both women and men should talk to their doctor about using effective birth control .
- Breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed while taking the medicine and for one week after stopping .
- Fertility issues: This medication may cause infertility. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor before starting treatment.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Asciminib can cause some side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Let's break these down into two categories.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Blood clot | Leg pain, swelling or warmth, difficulty breathing, chest pain. |
| Heart attack | Tightness or pain in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, feeling cold, or fainting. |
| Heart failure | Difficulty breathing, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, feeling unusually tired. |
| Pancreatitis | Severe stomach pain (radiating to the back), pain that worsens after eating or when touched, fever, nausea, vomiting. |
| Stroke | Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, confusion, difficulty walking, severe headache. |
| Unusual bleeding or bruising | Unexplained bruising of the skin, bleeding that won't stop. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Bone, joint, or muscle pain | Body aches. |
| Diarrhea | Flatulence. |
| Headache | Headache. |
| Nausea | Feeling like vomiting. |
How to store the medicine?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Keep the medicine in the original bottle it came in. Protect it from moisture. Keep the bottle cap tightly closed.
- Do not use expired medicine.
Ask your doctor or the hospital where you receive your medication about the best way to dispose of expired or unwanted medications.
Take-Home Message
- Asciminib is a targeted therapy for leukemia. It controls the growth of cancer cells.
- Always take this medicine on an empty stomach . That means 2 hours before or 1 hour after a meal.
- Avoid changing the dosage or stopping the medication without telling your doctor.
- Give your doctor a complete description of all medications, vitamins, and your health habits.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or unusual bleeding , seek medical advice immediately.
- It is imperative to use effective birth control during treatment and for one week after stopping.
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