Tucatinib
Generic name: tucatinib
Brand name: Tukysa
Dosage form: oral tablet
Drug class:HER2 inhibitors
What is tucatinib?
Tucatinib is a type of targeted anticancer drug, which is used in combination with other medications for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. Tucatinib belongs to a class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Tucatinib targets HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) tyrosine kinase. HER2 receptors are involved in the growth and repair of normal breast cells. But, 10 to 20 percent of breast cancers have a faulty HER2 gene, which makes too many copies of itself. This results in HER2 protein overexpression - too many HER2 receptors on the breast cells - which makes the breast cells grow and divided uncontrollably.
Tucatinib works by blocking the activity of HER2, which helps to slow the growth and spread of cancer cells. It is used in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine because the combination helps patients live longer without their cancer progressing and survive for longer overall.
It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020.
What is tucatinib used for?
Tucatinib is a prescription medicine used with the medicines trastuzumab and capecitabine to treat adults with:
- human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) positive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body such as the brain (metastatic), or that cannot be removed by surgery, and
- who have received one or more anti-HER2 breast cancer treatments.
It is not known if tucatinib is safe and effective in children.
Important information
Tucatinib is used with the medicines trastuzumab (Herceptin) and capecitabine (Xeloda). Also read the patient information that may come with these medicines.
What should I tell my doctor before taking tucatinib?
Before taking tucatinib, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you have liver problems.
How should I take tucatinib?
- Take tucatinib exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.
- Tucatinib is used with the medicines trastuzumab and capecitabine. Your healthcare provider will tell you the dose of trastuzumab and capecitabine you will take and how you will receive them.
- Take tucatinib 2 times a day, with or without a meal.
- Take tucatinib about 12 hours apart or at the same times every day.
- Swallow tucatinib tablets whole. Do not chew, crush, or split tucatinib tablets before swallowing. Do not take tucatinib tablets if they are broken, cracked, or damaged.
What happens if I miss a dose?
If you vomit or miss a dose of tucatinib, take your next dose at your regular time.
Dosing information
The recommended dosage of tucatinib is 300 mg taken orally twice daily with or without food. For patients with severe hepatic impairment, the recommended dosage is 200 mg orally twice daily.
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