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Tasigna side effect? How do I stop an itchy scalp and rash?
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Mar 26, 2023 | Replies (26)Comment receiving replies
Hi @talmadge81 This itchy scalp and rash must really be all encompassing, especially since you glossed over the part about being newly diagnosed with CML. (Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia). Usually that’s the topic that sparks the discussion.
Tasigna is a specific medication used to treat CML. I’ve read the Tasigna information and the possibility of a rash is one of the more common side effects. It mentions the potential for hair loss but not an itchy scalp. Have you mentioned this to your oncologist?
One product I’ve heard of that provides relief from itchy scalp is,
Scalpicin Extra Strength. Have you tried taking Benadryl, Claritin (not Claritin D), Zyrtec, or Allegra antihistamine?
You mentioned you’ve recently been diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. I’m providing a link to the Mayo Clinic website for CML with a little more information for you.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-myelogenous-leukemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352417
There are also several discussions in the forum with other members who have CML. This one in particular was launched by @suzie71. She’s a really positive roll model for anyone with CML.
I've had CML for 20 years and want to encourage others: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-myelogenous-leukemia-cml/
I hope we find some other answers for you regarding your rash and scalp itch. Do you have any specific questions about your CML?
Replies to "Hi @talmadge81 This itchy scalp and rash must really be all encompassing, especially since you glossed..."
Hi Lori,
I've been doing some research and have read in several places that these targeted therapy drugs for leukemia were mostly tested on men at first. Can you shed any light on that? Also, I saw one scientific study where " Women had a 34% increased risk of severe AEs compared with men (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.42; P < .001), including a 49% increased risk among those receiving immunotherapy (OR = 1.49; 95% CI, 1.24 to 1.78; P < .001). Women experienced an increased risk of severe symptomatic AEs among all treatments."
This makes me wonder if women would do better with fewer side effects if dosages for women were lowered, or if they would take sex and weight and age into consideration? We know that women's bodies react differently to almost everything.
Personally, I was taken off the Tasigna for 3 days per doctor's orders then was supposed to go back on full strength. However I went back on a half dose. My itch is now barely noticeable, I'm sleeping more than 2 hours a night, my skin is slowly clearing up and I'm not stressed. I called and reported all to my hematologist/oncologist doctor's nurse. He was non-comital at this time. I'll learn more when I see him Sept 26.
Of course I know everything depends on how well any dosage of any medication is helping my CML and if he keeps me on the half dose it will take some time to know that. I hope it does and that he doesn't switch meds again. I know the demons I'm living with now!
Judy
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Thank you Lori for your helpful information. I've done a lot of research and reading about CML since I was diagnosed via a normal regular CBC and I understand CML. It's the lab test results I have a hard time reading! But my oncologist helps me with those and when I get a new one I compare it with the previous.
I was diagnosed January of 22 and begin dasatinib February 1st. Had to change to nilotinib June 26th because I had pleural effusion 3 times on dasatinib. The fluid around my lungs has finally cleared completely for which I'm very thankful!
I'm really hoping I can find something that will make this itching tolerable because it's the only side effect I'm having right now. It consumes a lot of thought and energy to not scratch even though I finally found a product that helps for a few hours at a time. It's an itch-calming organic-based serum called Canviiy. I've tried all the antihistamines. Benadryl seems to help the most. I'm also not getting enough sleep because the itching keeps me awake. That's my biggest concern.
I just talked to the doctor's office again. He wants me to hold the Tasigna (I'm taking two 150 mg twice a day) for 3 days then call back to see if that helped. The only other thing will be to reduce the dosage - which he nor I want to do!