TUCATINIB
Background and Date of Approval
Tucatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor indicated for HER2-positive breast cancer. This malignancy demonstrates accelerated growth driven by HER2 protein expression. Tucatinib demonstrates clinical utility in patients with metastatic disease, including brain metastases. The drug received regulatory approval in April 2020 and is available in India. It is administered in combination with other oncological agents in patients with prior treatment exposure.
Uses
Doctors give Tucatinib when: Breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body The cancer is HER2-positive The person has already taken other cancer treatments that didn’t fully work The cancer has reached the brain. It is not used alone — it works best when combined with two other medicines: trastuzumab and capecitabine (before using the combination just conform with your Doctor)
Side Effects
Common Side Effects Some people may have: Loose motion (diarrhea) Feeling very tired Nausea or vomiting Mouth sores Less hunger Red or sore hands and feet Liver test changes (seen in blood reports) These usually go away with time or treatment. Tell your doctor if any feel too strong or last long. Serious Side Effects (Call Your Doctor Right Away) Yellow skin or eyes (could mean a liver problem) Bad diarrhea with weakness Trouble breathing or swelling (could be an allergy) High fever or infections
Warnings
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant — it may harm the baby. Avoid breastfeeding during treatment and for one week after stopping it. This medicine can affect the liver, so regular blood tests are needed. If you are taking any other medicines or herbal products, tell your doctor. Do not share this medicine with anyone else, even if they have similar symptoms.
Precautions
Drink plenty of water, especially if you have diarrhea. If your hands or feet feel dry or painful, use a gentle moisturizer. Avoid driving or using machines if you feel dizzy or too tired. Store tablets in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight Keep the medicine out of reach of children and pets.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK595112/ https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1914609 https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Tucatinib
Frequently Asked Questions
 What is Tucatinib Tablet used for?
Tucatinib Tablet is used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, including the brain. It is usually given along with trastuzumab and capecitabine, especially when earlier treatments have stopped working.
What makes Tucatinib Tablet different from chemotherapy?
It is a targeted therapy. Unlike chemotherapy, it blocks a specific protein called HER2 found on cancer cells, helping slow or stop their growth while doing less harm to healthy cells.
What is the usual dose for patients?
Doctors generally prescribe 300 mg twice a day, which means two 150 mg tablets in the morning and two in the evening. It can be taken with or without food.
What to do if a dose is missed or vomited?
If it’s been more than 8 hours since the missed dose, skip it and wait for your next regular dose. Never take two doses at once. If vomiting happens after taking it, do not retake—just continue with the next scheduled dose.
Can Tucatinib Tablet help when cancer spreads to the brain?
Yes. Tucatinib Tablet is known to work even when breast cancer has spread to the brain, making it one of the few oral cancer molecule that reach the brain and provide benefit.