Imatinib

What is Imatinib?

Imatinib inhibits the growth of certain cancerous cells. Imatinib can be used for treating certain kinds of leukemia (blood cancer) and bone marrow disorders and skin cancer.. Imatinib can also be used to treat certain cancers of the stomach and digestive tract.

Warnings

Imatinib may reduce blood cell count, which helps your body fight off infections and assist in helping your blood form clots. You could contract an infection or be bleeding more frequently. Contact your doctor if you notice unusual bleeding or bruising or symptoms of an infection (fever, chills or body pains).

Imatinib can increase the chance of developing liver issues. Consult your physician if you are experiencing stomach pains in the upper part of your abdomen or loss of appetite. dark urine, stools that are clay-colored and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Imatinib can raise the chance of retention or heart issues. Inform your physician if you notice an increase in weight or swelling that is rapid breathing problems, shortness of breath, rapid or low heart rate, weak pulse or fainting.

Before you take this drug.

It is not recommended to use imatinib in case you have an allergy to it.

To ensure that imatinib safe for you, inform your doctor if you've ever experienced:

• Liver disease (especially Hepatitis B);
• Kidney disease;
• Inactive thyroid Recent or upcoming thyroid surgery;
• Coronary heart disease excessive blood pressure heart failure, congestive cardiac failure;
• An stomach ulcer or bleeding
• Diabetes or
• Chemotherapy.

It is possible that you will need to take an unfavorable pregnancy test prior to beginning this treatment. Do not take imatinib while you are expecting. It could harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Utilize effective birth control to stop pregnancy while using imatinib, and for at minimum 14 days following the last dose.

Do not breastfeed a newborn during the time you take this medicine for at least one month following the last dose.

How to take Imatinib?

Follow the exact dosage as recommended by your physician. Follow all instructions on your prescription label, and go through all medication guides or instructions sheets. Have imatinib after food and a large glass of water. Do not take imatinib with the stomach empty.

If you are unable to swallow tablets whole then you can dissolve it in an ice cube or glass of Apple juice, to help make the tablet easier to take in. You should use about 2 ounces liquid for every tablet of 100 milligrams or 7 ounces liquid for every 400-milligram tablet. Mix the ingredients and drink the entire mixture immediately.

Avoid using tablets that are broken. The medication from a pill that has been broken could be harmful should it get into your eyes, mouth, nose, or even on the surface of your body. If this happens, clean your skin using soap and water, or wash your eyes in water. Consult your pharmacist on how to safely get rid of a pill that has been broken.

Imatinib reduces blood cells which can aid your body in fighting infections and aid your blood get clots. Your blood needs to be tested frequently. The treatment for cancer may be delayed depending on the outcome of your tests. It is also necessary to take regular tests to monitor the liver's function. Don't stop taking imatinib without consulting your physician. Place in a cool, dry place free of heat and moisture.

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose of Imatinib for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia:

Chronic phase: 400 mg taken orally twice every day
Accelerated blast crisis or phase: 600 mg orally, once a day

An increase in dose may be contemplated in the absence of an extremely adverse drug reaction as well as extreme neutropenia not associated with leukemia or thrombocytopenia within the following situations the progression of disease (at anytime) and failure to attain a satisfactory hematologic reaction after at least three months treatment inability to establish a cytogenetic reaction after 6-12 months treatment or the loss of an earlier the cytogenetic or hematologic response:
-Chronic phase of the disease 600 mg once per day
-Disease progression acceleration in blast crisis or phase: 400 mg orally twice per day

Uses:
Newly diagnosed patients diagnosed with Philadelphia Chromosome-positive chronic myeloidleukemia (Ph+CML) with chronic disease
Patients suffering from Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloidleukemia (Ph+CML) with blast-like crisis (BC) or in the accelerated phase (AP) or the chronic phase (CP) after the failure of interferon-alpha treatment

Usual Adult Dose of Imatinib for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia:

600 mg daily orally

Use: To treat Relapsed or resistant Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic Leukemia (Phand ALL)

Usual Adult Dose of Imatinib for Myeloproliferative Disorder:

400 mg taken orally every day

Comments:
- Determine the PDGFRb gene's rearrangement status prior to starting therapy.

Use: For patients with myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative (MDS/MPD) diseases associated with PDGFR (platelet-derived growth factor receptor) gene rearrangements

Usual Adult Dose of Imatinib for Myelodysplastic Disease:

400 mg orally, once a day

Comments:
Determine the status of PDGFRb gene rearrangements prior to starting therapy.

Use: For patients with myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative (MDS/MPD) diseases associated with PDGFR (platelet-derived growth factor receptor) gene rearrangements

Usual Adult Dose of Imatinib for Systemic Mastocytosis:

For patients suffering from ASM with no D816V c-Kit mutation Take 400 mg orally every day
If c-Kit's status is unknown or unobtainable 400 mg daily orally could be considered in patients suffering from ASM not responding well to other treatments.
- For patients with ASM caused by eosinophilia and eosinophilic clonal disease that is linked to FIP1L1-PDGFR, a fusion kinase A starting dose of 100 mg daily is suggested. The dosage increase from 100 to 400 mg patients with these conditions could be considered in the presence of no adverse reactions to drugs when studies show an insufficient response to treatment.
For patients suffering from ASM that is associated with eosinophilia (a blood clonal disease that is that is a result of the fusion kinase FIP1L1 PDGFR alpha) 100 mg daily orally and a dose increase of 100 to 400 mg patients with these conditions might be considered in presence of no adverse reactions to drugs, if tests show an insufficient response to treatment

Comments:
- Determine D816V c-Kit status prior to beginning treatment.

Use: For patients suffering from severe systemic mastocytosis that is not caused by the D816V C-Kit mutation

Usual Adult Dose of Imatinib for Hypereosinophilic Syndrome:

For patients suffering from HES/CEL Take 400 mg of oral medication daily
Patients with HES/CEL that have evidence of FIP1L1-PDGFR fusion kinase alpha 100 mg taken orally daily A dose increase of 200 mg up to 400 mg those with these conditions might be considered in presence of no adverse reactions to drugs, if studies show a lack of response to treatment

Utilization: In patients suffering from hypereosinophilic or chronic eosinophilic lymphoma who have the FIP1L1 -PDGFR alpha fusion Kinase (mutational test or FISH confirmation of CHIC2 deletion of alleles) and for patients suffering from CELL and/or HES who are FIP1L1-PDGFR fusion alpha unconfirmed or kinase-negative.

Usual Adult Dose of Imatinib for Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia:

For patients with CEL/HE'S 400 mg daily orally
For patients with HES/CEL who have confirmed FIP1L1-PDGFR fusion kinase alpha 100 mg taken orally daily A dose increase of 100 to 400 mg those with these conditions could be considered in the presence of no adverse reactions to drugs when tests show an insufficient response to treatment

Treatment: for patients suffering from hypereosinophilic disorder and/or chronic eosinophilic Leukemia that have the FIP1L1 -PDGFR alpha fusion Kinase (mutational study or FISH confirmation that there is CHIC2 deletion of alleles) and for patients suffering from CELL or HE'S that are FIP1L1 -PDGFR alpha fusion non-kinase positive or not known

Usual Adult Dose of Imatinib for Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans:

100 mg taken orally every day

Use: In patients suffering from metastatic, unresectable and/or recurrent dermatologtofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)

Usual Pediatric Dose of Imatinib for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia:

1 year and over:
Orally, 340 mg/m2 once per day or 170 mg/m2 by mouth two times per daily
Maximum Dose: 600 mg daily
Comments:
The treatment can be taken in a single dose or daily dose can be divided into two doses. one dose being administered in the morning, and another portion given in the evening.
There are no reports of this medication in children younger than one year of age.

Use:
Patients who have been diagnosed as new patients diagnosed with Philadelphia chronic myeloidleukemia (Ph+CML) who are in the chronic stage.

What happens If I miss the dose?

Get your dose as fast as you can, but make sure to consume a meal and take a big glass of fluid. Do not miss the dose you missed when it's almost time to take the next dose. Don't do two doses at a time.

What happens If I overdose?

For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact for help at the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should be avoided?

imatinib could cause blurred vision and affect your reaction time. Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you understand the effects this medication will have on your vision. Drowsiness or excessive drowsiness may result in accidents, falls, or serious injuries.

Grapefruit can interact with imatinib, which can lead to undesirable negative consequences. Beware of using products made from grapefruit.

Beware of being around those with illnesses or suffer from infections. Inform your doctor immediately in the event that you show symptoms of an infection.

Avoid activities that could increase the chances of sustaining injuries or bleeding. Make sure you take extra precautions to avoid bleeding when shaving or brushing your teeth.

Side effects of Imatinib

See a doctor immediately If you are experiencing symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction the medication imatinib (hives or breathing problems and swelling of your throat or face) or an extreme skin reaction (fever and irritation of your throat and eyes, burning sensations in your eyes, skin irritation and red or purple skin itching that can cause peeling and blisters).

Contact your doctor immediately If you are suffering from:

• Liquid retention breathlessness (even when lying down) or swelling and rapid weight gain.
• Kidney issues The result is a lack of or very little urine or swelling on your ankles or feet;
• Fluid build-up inside the lung It causes pain when you wheeze, breathe or gasping for breath; coughing with foamy mucus;
• Liver issues Upper stomach discomfort, nausea and dark urine jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin);
• Lower blood-cell counts - symptoms of flu or cold bleeding easily, odd bleeding, mouth sores dull skin, unusual fatigue and feeling lightheaded cold hands and feet;
• Indications for stomach bleeding bleeding, bloody or tarry stool, coughing vomit or blood that appears like coffee grounds
• Symptoms of a tumour cell's breakdown - - weakness, confusion and muscle cramps. vomiting, and a fast and low heart rates and decreased urination feeling of tingling on your hands and feet, or around your mouth;
• thyroid symptoms: fatigue, dry skin, hair loss depression, constipation, low heart rate weight growth, feeling more sensitivity to temperatures that are cold.

Imatinib can cause growth problems for children and teens. Inform your doctor if your child isn't growing at a normal pace while taking this medication.

Common side effects of imatinib be:

• Fluid retention;
• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;
• Muscles or joint pains;
• Itchy skin;
• Feeling exhausted.

This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Contact your doctor for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drugs

There are times when it's not recommended to take certain medications in conjunction. Certain drugs may affect the blood levels from other medications you are taking, which could cause more side effects or make the drugs less effective.

Inform your doctor about the medicines you are currently taking. Certain drugs can be incompatible with imatinib. These include:

• As an anti-biotic antifungal, antifungal, or antiviral medication;
• Seizure medicine;
• A blood thinner like warfarin ( Coumadin, Jantoven) or
• A mineral supplement or vitamin that is iron-rich.

This list isn't complete and other medications may influence imatinib. This includes prescription and over the counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements. There are many possible interactions between drugs. are listed here.