If you have breast cancer, your doctor might suggest Tukysa (pronunciation too-KYE-sah) as a treatment option for you.

Tukysa is a prescription medication that’s used to treat certain kinds of HER2-positive breast cancer. For this purpose, it’s usually taken together with two other cancer drugs, Herceptin (trastuzumab) and Xeloda (capecitabine).

Tucatinib is the active ingredient in Tukysa. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

Tukysa is a tablet that you swallow. It is a drug in the group of drugs called kinase inhibitors.

This article describes the dosages of Tukysa, as well as its strengths and how to take the drug. To learn more about Tukysa, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Note: This chart highlights the basics of Tukysa’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more details. And please keep in mind that this article covers Tukysa’s standard dosage schedule, which is provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But always follow the dosing instructions your doctor or healthcare professional (HCP) prescribes.

Tukysa form Tukysa strength Usual dosage
oral tablet 50 milligrams is equal to 50 grams. or 150 tablets. 300 mg twice daily

The standard dosage information for Tukysa is covered in this section. Your doctor may prescribe a different amount of medicine depending on your condition. Your doctor will discuss the best way to treat your cancer with Tukysa.

What is Tukysa’s form?

Tukysa is a tablet that you swallow.

What strengths does Tukysa come in?

Tukysa has the following strengths.

  • 50 milligrams is equal to 50 grams.
  • 150 tablets.

What are the usual dosages of Tukysa?

The doctor will start you on the recommended Tukysa dose. Your doctor may adjust your dose based on your response to therapy. They will prescribe a dosage that will minimize side effects while producing the desired response.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

The usual dosage of Tukysa for certain kinds of HER2-positive breast cancer is 300 mg taken by mouth twice daily.

You’ll take Tukysa together with Herceptin (trastuzumab) and Xeloda (capecitabine) to treat your breast cancer. Follow the dosage instructions your doctor gives you for these medications.

Ask your doctor if you have more questions about Tukysa.

Is Tukysa used long term?

Tukysa is a long-term treatment. Tukysa is likely to be used for a long time if you and your doctor determine that it is safe and effective.

If you have any serious side effects or your cancer gets worse, your doctor will probably recommend that you continue taking Tukysa. Discuss the best treatment plan with your doctor.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may recommend a dose reduction for Tukysa. These situations include some things.

Tukysa is a tablet that you can take twice a day. You should take your drug at the same time each day. This helps keep the medication in your body at a constant level so it works effectively.

You should swallow your Tukysa tablets whole. Do not chew, crush, or break the tablets.

“If you vomit after taking a dose of Tukysa, don’t take another dose. Take your next dose at its regular time.”

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.

For information on Tukysa expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article. You can also find this information on the drug’s package insert.

Accessible drug containers and labels

“If you can’t read the prescription label on your medication, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels.”

  • Large print or use of blind.
  • You can use a code on a phone to change the text to sound.

“If your current pharmacy doesn’t offer accessibility features, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a new pharmacy.”

The amount of Tukysa you are prescribed may be affected by a number of factors. These include:

If you miss a Tukysa dose, take your next dose at your usual time.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Tukysa on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

“Don’t take more Tukysa than your doctor tells you to. Taking more than this can cause serious side effects.”

What to do in case you take too much Tukysa

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Tukysa. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages provided by the drug manufacturer are described in the sections above. If your doctor recommends Tukysa, they will prescribe the correct amount.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Tukysa without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Tukysa exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Some questions you may want to ask your doctor.

  • “Will you increase my dose if it isn’t working for me?”
  • Do my other drugs affect my dose of Tukysa?
  • Can my dosage be decreased if I’m having side effects from Tukysa?

To share advice and learn how others with breast cancer are managing their condition, join the Bezzy BC online breast cancer community. And to get news about treatments for your condition and more, sign up for Healthline’s breast cancer newsletter.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.