Patient leaflet - Scemblix 40 mg film-coated tablets
1. What Scemblix is and what it is used for
What Scemblix is
Scemblix contains the active substance asciminib, which belongs to a group of medicines called protein kinase inhibitors.
What Scemblix is used for
Scemblix is used to treat adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase (Ph+ CML-CP) that do not have a genetic difference (mutation) called T315I and who were previously treated with at least two medicines called tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Ph+ CML is a type of blood cancer (leukaemia) in which the body produces too many abnormal white blood cells. Chronic phase is the first phase of this blood cancer.
How Scemblix works
Scemblix blocks the action of a protein (BCR-ABL1) produced by the abnormal white blood cells and stops their division and growth.
If you have any questions about how Scemblix works or why this medicine has been prescribed for you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
2. What you need to know before you take Scemblix
Do not take Scemblix
if you are allergic to asciminib or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed
in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Scemblix if any of the following applies to you:
if you have or have ever had pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas that is associated with
severe upper stomach pain that may radiate to the back ).
- if you have ever had or might now have a hepatitis B infection. This is because
if you experience weakness, spontaneous bleeding or bruising and frequent
infections with signs such as fever, chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers (signs of decreased bone marrow activity, resulting in a reduced number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, also known as myelosuppression).
if blood tests show that you have high levels of enzymes called lipase and amylase
(signs of damage to the pancreas, also known as pancreatic toxicity).
if you have a heart disorder or a heart rhythm disorder, such as an irregular
heartbeat or an abnormal electrical signal called prolongation of the QT interval.
if blood tests show that you have a low level of potassium or magnesium
(hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia).
if you are being treated with medicines that may have an unwanted effect on the
function of the heart (torsades de pointes) (see “Other medicines and Scemblix”)
if you experience headache, dizziness, chest pain or shortness of breath (signs of
high blood pressure, also known as hypertension).
Monitoring during your treatment with Scemblix
Your doctor will regularly monitor your condition to check that the treatment is having the desired effect. You will have regular tests including blood tests during treatment. These tests will monitor:
- the amount of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets)
- the levels of pancreas enzymes (amylase and lipase)
the levels of electrolytes (potassium, magnesium)
- your heart rate and blood pressure.
Children and adolescents
Do not give this medicine to children or adolescents aged under 18 years. No data are available in this age group.
Other medicines and Scemblix
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using:
medicines used to treat seizures (fits), such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital or
phenytoin.
medicines used to treat pain and or as sedatives before or during medical or surgical
procedures, such as alfentanil or fentanyl.
medicines used to treat migraine or dementia, such as dihydroergotamine or
ergotamine.
medicines that may have an unwanted effect on the electrical activity of the heart
(torsades de pointes), such as bepridil, chloroquine, clarithromycin, halofantrine, haloperidol, methadone, moxifloxacin or pimozide.
- medicines used to reduce the blood’s ability to clot, such as warfarin or dabigatran.
medicines used to treat severe inflammation of the bowel or severe rheumatic or
painful joint inflammation, such as sulfasalazine or colchicine.
medicines used to treat cancer, severe rheumatic joint inflammation or psoriasis,
such as methotrexate.
- rosuvastatin, a medicine used to reduce blood cholesterol levels
medicines used to treat high blood pressure and other heart conditions, such as
digoxin.
St. John’s wort (also known as Hypericum perforatum), a herbal medicine used to
treat depression and other conditions.
You should also tell your doctor if you are already taking Scemblix and you are prescribed any new medicine that you have not taken previously during Scemblix treatment.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure whether your medicine is one of the medicines listed above.
Scemblix with food and drink
Do not take Scemblix with food. Take it at least 2 hours after and 1 hour before any food. For more information, see “When to take Scemblix” in section 3.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Pregnancy
Scemblix may harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who could become pregnant, your doctor will discuss with you the potential risks of taking Scemblix during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
If you are a woman who could become pregnant, your doctor may perform a pregnancy test before starting treatment with Scemblix.
If you do become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, after starting treatment with Scemblix, tell your doctor straight away.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if Scemblix passes into breast milk. It is recommended that you do not breast-feed while you are taking Scemblix and for at least 3 days after you stop taking it.
Contraceptive advice for women
If you are a woman who could become pregnant, you should use an effective method of contraception during treatment with Scemblix and for at least 3 days after you stop taking it to avoid becoming pregnant. Ask your doctor about effective methods of contraception.
Driving and using machines
Scemblix has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. If you experience side effects (such as dizziness or visual disorders) with a potential impact on the ability to safely drive or use any tools or machines after taking this medicine, you should refrain from these activities until the effect has disappeared.
Scemblix contains
Lactose: If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some
sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
Sodium: Scemblix contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per film-coated tablet,
that is to say essentially “sodium free”.
3. How to take Scemblix
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Do not exceed the recommended dose prescribed by your doctor.
How much Scemblix to take
Your doctor will tell you exactly how many Scemblix tablets you should take per day, and how to take them.
The recommended total daily dose of Scemblix is 80 mg (2 tablets of Scemblix 40 mg per day). You may take your daily dose:
- Once daily: Take 2 tablets together at approximately the same time each day, OR
- Twice daily: Take 1 tablet, then take another one approximately 12 hours later.
You should not change the Scemblix dose or schedule without first talking to your doctor.
Depending on how you respond to treatment, your doctor may ask you to change to a lower dose or to temporarily or permanently stop the treatment.
When to take Scemblix
Take Scemblix:
- at least 2 hours after any food
- then wait at least 1 hour before eating again.
Taking Scemblix at the same time each day will help you to remember when to take your medicine.
How to take Scemblix
Swallow Scemblix tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush or chew the tablets.
How long to take Scemblix
Continue taking Scemblix for as long as your doctor tells you. This is a long-term treatment, possibly lasting for months or years. Your doctor will regularly monitor your condition to check that the treatment is having the desired effect.
If you have questions about how long to take Scemblix, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take more Scemblix than you should
If you have taken more Scemblix than you should have, or if someone else accidentally takes your medicine, contact a doctor for advice straight away. Show them the pack of Scemblix. Medical treatment may be necessary.
If you forget to take Scemblix
Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten tablets.
If you take Scemblix once daily
If the dose is missed by less than 12 hours, take your recommended dose. If you forget to take Scemblix by more than 12 hours, skip the missed dose and take the next one as usual.
If you take Scemblix twice daily
If the dose is missed by less than 6 hours, take your recommended dose. If you forget to take Scemblix by more than 6 hours, skip the missed dose and take the next one as usual.
If you stop taking Scemblix
Do not stop taking Scemblix unless your doctor tells you to.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Some side effects could be serious
If you experience any serious side effects, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately.
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- spontaneous bleeding or bruising (signs of low level of platelets, thrombocytopenia)
fever, sore throat, frequent infections (signs of low level of white blood cells,
neutropenia)
Common (may affect up to 1 in every 10 people)
irregular heart-beat, change in the electrical activity of the heart (prolongation of the
QT interval)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in every 100 people)
- fever above 38°C associated with a low level of white blood cells (febrile neutropenia)
- low levels of all types of blood cells (pancytopenia)
Other possible side effects
Other side effects include the following listed below. If these side effects become severe, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- nose and throat infections (upper respiratory tract infection)
- tiredness, fatigue, pale skin (potential signs of low level of red blood cells, anaemia)
headache, dizziness, chest pain or shortness of breath (signs of high blood pressure,
hypertension)
- headache
- dizziness
- shortness of breath, laboured breathing (signs of dyspnoea)
- cough
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- nausea
- abdominal pain
- constipation
- rash
- itching (pruritus)
- pain in muscles, bones or joints (musculoskeletal pain)
- joint pain (arthralgia)
- tiredness (fatigue)
- generalised swelling (oedema)
- fever (pyrexia)
Common (may affect up to 1 in every 10 people)
fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing (signs of lower respiratory tract
infections)
- influenza
loss of appetite
- blurred vision
- dry eyes
- palpitations
- chest pain, cough, hiccups, rapid breathing, fluid collection between the lungs and chest cavity which, if severe, could make you breathless (pleural effusion)
- chest pain (non-cardiac chest pain)
- severe upper stomach pain (sign of inflamed pancreas, pancreatitis)
- itchy rash (urticaria)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in every 100 people)
- allergic reaction which may include rash, hives, difficulty breathing or low blood pressure (hypersensitivity)
Abnormal blood test results
During Scemblix treatment, the results of blood tests may be abnormal, which can give your doctor information on the function of your organs. For example: Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- high level of the enzymes lipase and amylase (pancreas function)
high level of the enzymes transaminases, which include alanine aminotransferase
(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) (liver function)
- high level of fats/lipids (dyslipidaemia)
Common (may affect up to 1 in every 10 people)
- high level of bilirubin (liver function)
- high level of creatine phosphokinase (muscles function)
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Scemblix
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 25°C.
Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.
Do not use this medicine if you notice any damage to the packaging or if there are any signs of tampering.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Scemblix contains
The active substance is asciminib.
Each 20 mg film-coated tablet contains 20 mg asciminib (as asciminib hydrochloride). Each 40 mg film-coated tablet contains 40 mg asciminib (as asciminib hydrochloride).
The other ingredients are:
- In the tablet core: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate and colloidal silicon dioxide
In the film coating: polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide (E171), talc, lecithin (E322), xanthan gum (E415) and iron oxides (E172, see below).
- Scemblix 20 mg film-coated tablets contain iron oxide red and iron oxide yellow.
- Scemblix 40 mg film-coated tablets contain iron oxide red and iron oxide black.
See “Scemblix contains lactose and sodium” in section 2.
What Scemblix looks like and contents of the pack
Scemblix 20 mg film-coated tablets: pale yellow, round, biconvex tablet with bevelled edges of approximately 6 mm diameter, debossed with company logo on one side and “20” on the other side.
Scemblix 40 mg film-coated tablets: violet white, round, biconvex tablet with bevelled edges of approximately 8 mm diameter, debossed with company logo on one side and “40” on the other side.
Scemblix is available in packs containing 20 or 60 film-coated tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited, 2nd Floor, The WestWorks Building, White City Place,
195 Wood Lane, London, W12 7FQ, United Kingdom.
Manufacturer
Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Limited, 2nd Floor, The WestWorks Building, White City Place, 195 Wood Lane, London, W12 7FQ, United Kingdom.
This leaflet was last revised in July 2025.
46386132 GB
Scemblix® 20 mg Scemblix® 40 mg