Ponatinib is a drug that’s used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia and a type of leukemia called Ph ALL, especially when those leukemias have stopped responding to other types of cancer drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This is what we call a ‘multi-kinase inhibitor’, which means it’s designed to hit lots of the bad proteins that cause cancer cells to grow. You can get ponatinib in two strengths – 15 mg and 45 mg tablets with a coating.
The usual dose is 45 mg taken just once a day, and you can take it with or without eating. Ponatinib comes in bottles that have 30 tablets in each one. Patients really need to follow the directions their doctor gives, so the medicine can work the best and keep the side effects down.
