Uses of Imatinib

Imatinib is used to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph-positive ALL).

Also, it is used in adults only to treat myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases (MDS/MPD), hyper eosinophilic syndrome (HES) and/or chronic eosinophilic leukaemia (CEL), gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP).

Therapeutic Category

Imatinib: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

How Imatinib works

Imatinib is a protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Tyrosine kinases are proteins which act as chemical messengers that are used by the cancer cells to signal each other for their growth, therefore this medicine works by blocking the enzyme which stops the cancer cells from growing.

Common side effects of Imatinib

• Headache or feeling tired
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or indigestion
• Rash
• Muscle cramps, joint, muscle or bone pain
• Swelling such as round ankles or puffy eyes
• Weight gain
• Loss of appetite, weight loss or disturbed sense of taste
• Feeling dizzy or weak
• Insomnia
• Conjunctivitis watery eyes, or blurred vision
• Nose bleeds
• Pain or swelling in the abdomen, flatulence, heartburn or constipation
• Itching
• Unusual hair loss or thinning
• Numbness of the hands or feet
• Mouth ulcers
• Dry mouth, dry skin or dry eye
• Decreased or increased skin sensitivity
• Hot flushes, chills or night sweats

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor if you experience:

• Rapid weight gain, severe fluid retention
• Infection symptoms such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers, low white blood cells
• Unexpected bleeding or bruising
• Sign of heart problems like chest pain or irregular heart rhythm
• Sign of lung problems like cough, difficulty in breathing or painful breathing
• Signs of low blood pressure like feeling light-headed, dizzy or fainting
• Sign of liver problems like nausea, loss of appetite, dark-colored urine, yellow skin or eyes
• Sign of skin problems like rash, red skin with blisters on the lips, eyes, skin or mouth,
• Sign of gastrointestinal disorders like severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit, stools or urine, black stools
• Signs of kidney problems like severely decreased urine output and feeling thirsty
• Signs of bowel problems like nausea with diarrhea and vomiting, abdominal pain or fever
• Signs of muscle problems like muscle spasms with a fever, red-brown urine, pain or weakness in your muscles
• Eye pain or deterioration in vision, bleeding in the eyes
• Pain in hips or difficulty walking
• Difficulty in hearing
• Signs of problems with ovaries or womb like pelvic pain with unexpected vaginal bleeding
• Thrombotic microangiopathy (blood clots in small blood vessels)

Health Tips for Imatinib

• Take Imatinib exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not adjust the dose or schedule without consulting your healthcare provider
• Drink plenty of water to stay well-hydrated, especially if you experience side effects like nausea or vomiting
• Grapefruit may interact with imatinib and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products
• Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity (as advised by your healthcare provider) and managing stress
• Regular check-ups and follow-up appointments with your medical team are important to monitor your progress and address any concerns
• Imatinib is not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women