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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 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
Replies to "Hi Lori, I've been doing some research and have read in several places that these targeted..."
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Hi Judy! Your research touched on a topic that bothered me from the get-go with some of the dosages of meds I was on and their side effects. I had serious questions as to how, when I was weighing in a 103 pounds, 5’2” (65 year old female at the time) was on the same dosages of this serious drug as a 25 year old, 6’3” male weighing 300 pounds?! Happened to be talking with him in a waiting room during our similar treatment plan. I had horrible side effects and begged to have the dosage reduced. I was told it was all processed the same in our bodies no matter the weight and that’s the recommended dosage. Huh, really? Most meds are calibrated to height and weight…
Fortunately, my doctors at Mayo did not share the opinion of my local clinic and my dosage was abruptly lowered with very positive results and no side effects.
I don’t have any actual statistics on the particular leukemic tests you mentioned but it is a fact that women and older adults can process some of these drugs differently, or slower, keeping them in our systems longer which can create the negative side effects or toxicity.
I watched this happen in a nursing home with my mom a number of years ago. No one listened until I made a big stink about my mom’s reactions and felt she was overdosed. Finally her blood was tested for the medication and she was several times over the limit in value. At her age of 88, with already severe kidney disease, the meds were not clearing through the kidney or liver properly. Dropping her dosage was a real eye opener to the nurses as mom continued to flourish instead of rapidly declining. So we do continually have to be our own advocates.
I’m happy you’re having some relief from the relentless itching and finally getting some sleep! I really hope you’re able to maintain that half dosage of your medication and don’t have to switch! Certainly feels like a strong correlation between your symptoms reversing with the drop in your dosage. Keep me posted, ok?