Answer
Oct 29, 2026 - 09:53 AM
While taking TUKYSA (tucatinib), you should avoid certain medications, herbal supplements, and activities that could interfere with treatment or increase the risk of serious side effects.
What to avoid while taking TUKYSA
1. Certain medications: Avoid taking interacting medications without your healthcare provider's approval. Examples include rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and gemfibrozil. Some can reduce TUKYSA's effectiveness, while others can increase its side effects. TUKYSA can also affect the levels of other medications.
2. Herbal supplements: Avoid St. John's wort, which may reduce TUKYSA's effectiveness. Check with your healthcare provider before starting vitamins, supplements, or over-the-counter medicines.
3. Excessive alcohol: Limiting or avoiding alcohol is advisable because TUKYSA can cause serious liver damage. Discuss alcohol consumption with your oncology team.
4. Pregnancy: TUKYSA can harm an unborn baby. Patients who can become pregnant, and male patients with partners who can become pregnant, should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least one week after the last dose. Other cancer medications taken alongside TUKYSA may require longer precautions.
5. Breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed during treatment or for at least one week after your last TUKYSA dose. Other medications in your treatment regimen may require a longer period.
6. Crushing or splitting tablets: Swallow TUKYSA tablets whole. Do not chew, crush, split, or take broken or damaged tablets.
7. Taking extra doses: If you miss a dose or vomit after taking TUKYSA, do not take an additional dose. Take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time.
Important precautions
TUKYSA carries a boxed warning for potentially severe or fatal liver damage. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, unusual fatigue, or pain in the upper right abdomen. Severe diarrhea also requires prompt medical attention.
Food restrictions: TUKYSA can be taken with or without food. There is no general food restriction specified in its U.S. prescribing information, although individual dietary recommendations may depend on your other cancer treatments.
