Generic name: tucatinib [ tu-KAT-e-nib ]
Drug class: HER2 inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Jan 24, 2023.

What is Tukysa?

Tukysa inhibits HER2, a gene that can play a role in the development of breast cancer and colorectal cancer.

Tukysa is used together with other medicines (trastuzumab and capecitabine) to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. This combination chemotherapy is used when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed with surgery.

Tukysa is also used together with trastuzumab to treat RAS wild-type HER2-positive colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed by surgery.

Tukysa is usually given after other treatments have failed.

Warnings

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Tukysa may affect the way your other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way Tukysa works.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions and allergies.

Before taking this medicine

Both men and women using Tukysa should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Tucatinib can harm an unborn baby if the mother or father is using this medicine. Keep using birth control for at least 1 week after your last dose.

Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Tukysa.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because tucatinib can harm an unborn baby.

Do not breastfeed while using Tukysa, and for at least 1 week after your last dose.

You may need to prevent pregnancy or avoid breastfeeding for longer periods of time after you stop using capecitabine or trastuzumab. Read all medication guides you receive. Follow directions about pregnancy or breastfeeding after you stop combination chemotherapy.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had liver disease.

How should I take Tukysa?

Take Tukysa exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

You may take Tukysa with or without food.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it. Do not use a cracked or broken tablet.

Take the medicine at the same time each day, about every 12 hours.

If you vomit shortly after taking Tukysa, do not take another dose. Wait until your next scheduled dose time to take the medicine again.

Use all medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice.

You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the tablets in their original container, along with the packet or canister of moisture-absorbing preservative.

Throw away any unused Tukysa tablets 3 months after you first opened the bottle.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer:

300 mg orally 2 times a day in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity

Comments:
-When given in combination with this drug, the recommended dose of capecitabine is 1000 mg/m² orally 2 times daily taken within 30 minutes after a meal.

Use: in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine, is indicated for treatment of adult patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, including patients with brain metastases, who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens in the metastatic setting

Usual Adult Dose for Colorectal Cancer:

300 mg orally 2 times a day combination with trastuzumab until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity

Use: in combination with trastuzumab for the treatment of adult patients with RAS wild-type HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed following treatment with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-based chemotherapy.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Tukysa side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Tukysa: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe or ongoing diarrhea;

• pain, blisters, bleeding, or severe rash in the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet;

• blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;

• a seizure;

• liver problems - loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common Tukysa side effects when used in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine in adults with HER2-positive breast cancer include:

• diarrhea;

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;

• anemia;

• mouth sores;

• rash;

• headache, tiredness; or

• abnormal liver function tests

Common Tukysa side effects when used in combination with trastuzumab in adults with RAS wild-type HER2- positive colorectal cancer include:

• diarrhea;

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;

• rash;

• headache, tiredness;

• infusion-related reactions; or

• fever.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Tukysa?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Other drugs may interact with tucatinib, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Tukysa only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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