Gleevec - Imatinib Tablets
What is this medication?
IMATINIB (i MAT in ib) treats some types of cancer. It works by blocking a protein that causes cancer cells to grow and multiply. This helps to slow or stop the spread of cancer cells.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Gleevec
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- Bleeding disorder
- Infection, especially a viral infection, such as chickenpox, cold sores, herpes
- Heart disease
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Lung disease
- Stomach or intestine problems
- An unusual or allergic reaction to imatinib, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breastfeeding
How should I use this medication?
Take this medication by mouth with a full glass of water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Take it with food. Your care team may change your dose or tell you to stop taking this medication if you get side effects. Do not change your dose or stop taking it unless your care team tells you to.
Do not take this medication with grapefruit juice.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 1 year for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, skip it. Take your next dose at the normal time. Do not take extra or 2 doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose.
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
- Cisapride
- Flibanserin
- Live virus vaccines
- Lomitapide
- Lonafarnib
- Pimozide
- Ranolazine
- Thioridazine
This medication may also interact with the following:
- Certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin or erythromycin
- Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital
- Grapefruit or grapefruit juice
- St. John's wort
- Warfarin
This medication may affect how other medications work, and other medications may affect the way this medication works. Talk with your care team about all the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even if you have side effects unless your care team tells you to stop.
You may need blood work done while you are taking this medication.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. You may also notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.
This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.
Avoid taking medications that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your care team. These medications may hide a fever.
Be careful brushing or flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medication.
This medication may slow your child's growth. Your child's care team will monitor their growth.
Talk to your care team if you may be pregnant. You will need a negative pregnancy test before starting this medication. Contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 14 days after the last dose. Your care team can help you find the option that works for you.
Do not breastfeed while taking this medication and for 1 month after the last dose.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart failure—shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
- Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Low red blood cell level—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- Stomach bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds
- Stomach pain that is severe, does not go away, or gets worse
- Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, sudden weight gain
- Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)—nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decrease in the amount of urine, dark urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, confusion, muscle pain or cramps, fast or irregular heartbeat, joint pain
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Blurry vision
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain or cramps
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medication?
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Keep the container tightly closed. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:
- Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
- If you cannot return the medication, ask your pharmacist or care team how to get rid of this medication safely.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Additional Information From Chemocare.com About Gleevec
Self-Care Tips:
- Take this medication after a meal with a large glass of water to reduce upset stomach. Take this medication at about the same time each day.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, do not take the missed dose at all and do not double the next one. Instead, go back to your regular dosing schedule and check with your health care provider.
- You may be at risk of infection so try to avoid crowds or people with colds and those not feeling well, and report fever or any other signs of infection immediately to your health care provider.
- Wash your hands often.
- Drink at least two to three quarts of fluid every 24 hours, unless you are instructed otherwise.
- Use an electric razor and a soft toothbrush to minimize bleeding.
- Avoid contact sports or activities that could cause injury.
- In general, drinking alcoholic beverages should be kept to a minimum or avoided completely. You should discuss this with your doctor.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Maintain good nutrition.
- If you experience symptoms or side effects, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
When to contact your doctor or health care provider:
Contact your health care provider immediately, day or night, if you should experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher, chills (possible signs of infection)
- Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
- Significant bleeding from nose, mouth, vagina, rectum that will does not stop within 15 minutes.
The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not an emergency. Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:
- Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medication).
- Vomiting (vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24 hour period).Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period).
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Black or tarry stools, or blood in your stools
- Blood in the urine
- Extreme fatigue (unable to carry on self-care activities)
- Swelling, redness and/or pain in one leg or arm and not the other
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Swelling of the feet or ankles. Sudden weight gain.
Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
