Interactions of asciminib with other medicines and food

Interactions of asciminib with other medicines and food

During treatment with asciminib, special attention should be paid to certain medicines that may affect its efficacy or increase side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following: antiepileptic medicines (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin); pain relief or sedative medicines (alfentanil, fentanyl); medicines for migraine or dementia (dihydroergotamine, ergotamine); medicines that may affect the electrical activity of the heart (bepridil, chloroquine, clarithromycin, haloperidol, methadone, etc.); anticoagulant medicines (warfarin, dabigatran); anti-inflammatory medicines (sulfasalazine, colchicine); anticancer or immunosuppressive medicines (methotrexate); cholesterol-lowering medicines (rosuvastatin); heart medicines (digoxin); and the herbal remedy St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). Asciminib must not be taken with food. It should be taken at least 2 hours after a meal and at least 1 hour before the next meal.

Use of asciminib in special populations

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor before taking asciminib. This medicine may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor may require a pregnancy test before starting treatment in women who can become pregnant. Reliable contraceptive measures must be used during treatment and for at least 3 days after stopping treatment to avoid pregnancy. It is unknown whether asciminib passes into breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding should be stopped during treatment and for at least 3 days after the last dose. If you become pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant during treatment, tell your doctor immediately.

Correct dosage and administration of asciminib

The recommended total daily dose of asciminib is 80 mg. You can take it once daily: take 2 tablets (either two 40 mg tablets or a combination of 20 mg tablets to reach 80 mg) at the same time each day; or twice daily: take one tablet followed by the other tablet approximately 12 hours later. Depending on your response to treatment or any side effects, your doctor may ask you to switch to a lower dose, or temporarily or permanently stop treatment. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew them. To help you remember, take the medicine at the same time every day. Continue treatment as long as your doctor asks you to – this may be for months or years. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.