Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs)

Each of the TKIs have specific ways they need to be taken, so talk with your doctor about how to take your medicine.

If imatinib or dasatinib does not work for you, your doctor may treat you with nilotinib.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors should be used only under the supervision of a Reference medical oncologist Opens New Window or Reference hematologist Opens New Window. He or she will monitor your blood counts regularly.

You may not be able to become pregnant or father a child after taking this drug. Talk about this with your doctor before starting treatment.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors can cause birth defects. Do not use this drug if you are pregnant or wish to become pregnant or to father a child while you are taking it. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this drug.

These medicines can interact with many other drugs. Be sure that your doctor knows all the prescription and Reference over-the-counter Opens New Window drugs you are taking.

If your tyrosine kinase inhibitor becomes less effective over time, your doctor may increase your dose, prescribe it along with another drug, or try other drugs to treat your cancer.

Do not take tyrosine kinase inhibitors with grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice can make these medicines useless.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?) to help you understand this medication.

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