Imatinib Side Effects
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Imatinib Safety Reports reported to FDA
Total Imatinib reports: 141.Imatinib FDA safety alerts: 2006 .
Reported deaths: 40 Reported hospitalizations: 64.
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Reported Imatinib Side Effects: pyrexia, fatigue, cardiac failure congestive, pneumonia, neutropenia, malignant neoplasm progression, asthenia, aplasia pure red cell, pancytopenia, disease progression, hypothyroidism.
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Imatinib Side Effects Report #5191109-6Health Professional from SPAIN reported IMATINIB problem on Dec 15, 2006. Female patient, 65 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: lichen planus, oral mucosal eruption, oral pain, pruritus, rash papular. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG/DAY. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5196589-8
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Health Professional from UNITED STATES on Dec 29, 2006. Male patient, 78 years of age, weighting 215.2 lb, was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: myocardial infarction. IMATINIB dosage: 600MG PER DAY PO. During the same period patient was treated with LEVOTHYROXINE, ZOCOR, ZOLOFT, METOPROLOL SUCCINATE, UROXATRAL, ASPIRIN, BENADRYL. Patient was hospitalized. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5375834-X
Physician from CANADA reported IMATINIB problem on June 26, 2007. Male patient, 59 years of age, was diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumour and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: anorexia, atrial fibrillation, disease progression, fatigue, haematocrit decreased, haemoglobin decreased, hepatic embolisation, leukopenia. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG, QD. During the same period patient was treated with IMATINIB MESYLATE, IMATINIB MESYLATE, IMATINIB MESYLATE. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5375880-6
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Health Professional from UNITED STATES on June 27, 2007. Male patient, 58 years of age, was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: pneumonia, septic shock. IMATINIB dosage: 400 TO 800 MG/D. Patient died.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5375885-5
Health Professional from AUSTRALIA reported IMATINIB problem on June 27, 2007. Female patient, 56 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: acute myeloid leukaemia, bone marrow failure, chromosome analysis abnormal, chronic myeloid leukaemia, dysplasia, macrocytosis, malignant neoplasm progression, myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloid maturation arrest. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG/D. Patient died.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5382537-4
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Health Professional from NETHERLANDS on June 28, 2007. Male patient, 32 years of age, was diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: hypothyroidism. IMATINIB dosage: unknown. During the same period patient was treated with THYROID HORMONES. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5382563-5
Consumer or non-health professional from FRANCE reported IMATINIB problem on June 28, 2007. Female patient, 59 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: cytomegalovirus antibody positive, disseminated intravascular coagulation, epstein-barr virus antibody positive, hepatomegaly, lymphoproliferative disorder, night sweats, pancytopenia, pyrexia, splenomegaly. IMATINIB dosage: unknown. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5382568-4
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Health Professional from NETHERLANDS on June 28, 2007. Male patient, 43 years of age, was diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: hypothyroidism. IMATINIB dosage: unknown. During the same period patient was treated with THYROID HORMONES. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5382587-8
Health Professional from NETHERLANDS reported IMATINIB problem on June 28, 2007. Female patient, 37 years of age, was diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: hypothyroidism, rash. IMATINIB dosage: unknown. During the same period patient was treated with THYROID HORMONES. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5385019-9
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Physician from CANADA on July 03, 2007. Male patient, 59 years of age, was diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumour and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: anorexia, atrial fibrillation, fatigue, haematocrit decreased, haemoglobin decreased, hepatic embolisation, leukopenia, liver disorder. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG, QD. During the same period patient was treated with IMATINIB MESYLATE, IMATINIB MESYLATE, IMATINIB MESYLATE. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5387446-2
Physician from GERMANY reported IMATINIB problem on July 10, 2007. Female patient, 26 years of age, was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: multi-organ failure, pancytopenia, pneumonia, sepsis. IMATINIB dosage: 600 MG, QD. Patient was hospitalized. Patient died on 02/15/2007.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5389517-3
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Health Professional from ITALY on June 29, 2007. Female patient, 65 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: colon cancer, fluid retention, muscle spasms, surgery. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG/D. During the same period patient was treated with IMATINIB MESYLATE. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5389846-3
Physician from UNITED KINGDOM reported IMATINIB problem on July 10, 2007. Male patient, 13 years of age, weighting 110.9 lb, was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: catheter removal, epstein-barr virus infection, hypokalaemia, lymphopenia, lymphoproliferative disorder, necrosis, neutropenia, pyrexia. IMATINIB dosage: unknown. During the same period patient was treated with IMATINIB MESYLATE, IMATINIB MESYLATE, METHOTREXATE, VINCRISTINE. Patient was hospitalized. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5391960-3
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Physician from UNITED STATES on July 10, 2007. Male patient, 64 years of age, weighting 185.6 lb, was diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumour and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: back pain, irritability, limb discomfort, memory impairment. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG, BID. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5391966-4
Health Professional from UNITED STATES reported IMATINIB problem on July 13, 2007. Female patient, 42 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: acute myeloid leukaemia, chromosome analysis abnormal, complications of bone marrow transplant. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG/D. During the same period patient was treated with IMATINIB MESYLATE. Patient died.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5393273-2
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Health Professional from NETHERLANDS on July 10, 2007. Male patient, 43 years of age, was diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: hypothyroidism. IMATINIB dosage: unknown. During the same period patient was treated with THYROID HORMONES. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5393328-2
Health Professional from NETHERLANDS reported IMATINIB problem on July 10, 2007. Female patient, 37 years of age, was diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: hypothyroidism, rash. IMATINIB dosage: unknown. During the same period patient was treated with THYROID HORMONES. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5393348-8
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Health Professional from NETHERLANDS on July 10, 2007. Male patient, 32 years of age, was diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: hypothyroidism, malignant neoplasm progression. IMATINIB dosage: unknown. During the same period patient was treated with THYROID HORMONES. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5394982-1
Physician from FRANCE reported IMATINIB problem on July 13, 2007. Female patient, 59 years of age, weighting 145.5 lb, was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: asthenia, vomiting. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG, BID. During the same period patient was treated with METHOTREXATE, CYTARABINE, PREDNISOLONE, DEXAMETHASONE, ZOFRAN, VINCRISTINE. Patient was hospitalized. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5394985-7
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Health Professional from ITALY on July 12, 2007. Male patient, 67 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: aplasia, biopsy bone marrow abnormal, blood alkaline phosphatase increased, blood lactate dehydrogenase increased, bone marrow necrosis, erythroblast count increased, hyperpyrexia, pain in extremity. IMATINIB dosage: 600 MG/D. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5397366-5
Physician from UNITED KINGDOM reported IMATINIB problem on July 18, 2007. Male patient, 13 years of age, weighting 110.9 lb, was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: catheter removal, epstein-barr virus infection, hypokalaemia, lymphopenia, lymphoproliferative disorder, necrosis, neutropenia, pyrexia. IMATINIB dosage: unknown. During the same period patient was treated with IMATINIB MESYLATE, IMATINIB MESYLATE, METHOTREXATE, VINCRISTINE. Patient was hospitalized. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5401171-0
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Physician from FRANCE on July 19, 2007. Female patient, weighting 156.5 lb, was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: eyelid ptosis, facial palsy, migraine with aura, paraesthesia, tooth disorder. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG, UNK. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5402739-8
Health Professional from UNITED STATES reported IMATINIB problem on July 30, 2007. Male patient, weighting 174.0 lb, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: asthenia, hypocalcaemia, hypokalaemia. IMATINIB dosage: 400MG DAILY PO (DAILY X 10 EVERY 3 WEEKS). During the same period patient was treated with TAXOTERE. Patient was hospitalized. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5405696-3
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Physician from JAPAN on Aug 01, 2007. Male patient, 44 years of age, was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukaemia, aortic dissection and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: anuria, blood pressure increased, chest discomfort, chills, decreased immune responsiveness, dyspnoea, hypoxia, interstitial lung disease, nausea. IMATINIB dosage: unknown. During the same period patient was treated with LOSARTAN POTASSIUM, NORVASC, PREDONINE, AMIKACIN. Patient was hospitalized. Patient died on 10/13/2003.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5411740-X
Health Professional from UNITED STATES reported IMATINIB problem on Aug 07, 2007. Female patient, 55 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: cardiac failure congestive, chest pain, ejection fraction decreased, myocardial ischaemia. IMATINIB dosage: 600 MG/DAY. During the same period patient was treated with IMATINIB MESYLATE. Patient was hospitalized. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5411745-9
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Consumer or non-health professional from UNITED STATES on Aug 07, 2007. Male patient, 73 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: cardiac failure congestive, cardiac pacemaker insertion, ejection fraction decreased. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG/DAY. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5411771-X
Health Professional from UNITED STATES reported IMATINIB problem on Aug 07, 2007. Male patient, 70 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: ascites, cardiac failure congestive, dyspnoea, oedema peripheral. IMATINIB dosage: 600 MG/DAY. Patient died.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5411781-2
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Consumer or non-health professional from UNITED STATES on Aug 07, 2007. Female patient, 63 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: cardiac failure congestive, ejection fraction decreased, hypothyroidism, pneumonia. IMATINIB dosage: 600 MG/DAY. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5411783-6
Health Professional from UNITED STATES reported IMATINIB problem on Aug 07, 2007. Female patient, 76 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: atrial fibrillation, cardiac failure congestive. IMATINIB dosage: 600 MG/DAY. During the same period patient was treated with IMATINIB MESYLATE. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5411784-8
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Health Professional from UNITED STATES on Aug 07, 2007. Female patient, 65 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: cardiac failure congestive, neutropenic sepsis. IMATINIB dosage: 600 MG/DAY. Patient died.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5411791-5
Health Professional from UNITED STATES reported IMATINIB problem on Aug 07, 2007. Male patient, 75 years of age, was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: cardiac failure congestive, ejection fraction decreased, sepsis. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG/DAY. Patient died.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5411792-7
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Health Professional from UNITED STATES on Aug 07, 2007. Male patient, 57 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: cardiac failure congestive, chest pain, coronary artery disease, ejection fraction decreased. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG/DAY. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5419529-2
Consumer or non-health professional from UNITED STATES reported IMATINIB problem on Aug 17, 2007. Male patient, weighting 209.9 lb, was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: asthenia, body tinea, dermatitis acneiform, lobar pneumonia, mental status changes, pain in extremity, pyrexia, rash, speech disorder. IMATINIB dosage: 500MG DAYS 1-28 PO. During the same period patient was treated with HYDROZYUREA, LAMICTAL, DILANTIN. Patient was hospitalized. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5430440-3
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Physician from UNITED KINGDOM on Aug 24, 2007. Male patient, 13 years of age, weighting 110.9 lb, was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: bacterial infection, catheter removal, epstein-barr virus infection, hypokalaemia, lymphopenia, lymphoproliferative disorder, necrosis, neutropenia, pyrexia. IMATINIB dosage: unknown. During the same period patient was treated with IMATINIB MESYLATE, IMATINIB MESYLATE, METHOTREXATE, VINCRISTINE. Patient was hospitalized. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5430651-7
Consumer or non-health professional from SPAIN reported IMATINIB problem on Aug 08, 2007. Male patient, 55 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: anaemia, chromosome analysis abnormal, erythropoiesis abnormal, myelodysplastic syndrome, neutropenia. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG/DAY. During the same period patient was treated with IMATINIB MESYLATE, INTERFERON ALFA. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5433840-0
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Physician from UNITED STATES on Aug 28, 2007. Male patient, weighting 370.4 lb, was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: hypotension, renal failure, sepsis. IMATINIB dosage: 600MG PER DAY ORAL. During the same period patient was treated with ALTACE, BENICAR HCT, TOPROL, NEXIUM, VYTORIN, LANTUS, LISPRO INSULIN. Patient was hospitalized. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5441343-2
Consumer or non-health professional from UNITED STATES reported IMATINIB problem on Aug 27, 2007. Female patient, 49 years of age, weighting 163.1 lb, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: lung infiltration. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG, QD. During the same period patient was treated with IMATINIB MESYLATE, PREDNISONE, PANTOPRAZOLE, DILTIAZEM, LEVOTHYROXINE, AZATHIOPRINE, ZOLPIDEM TARTRATE. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5442574-8
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Health Professional from GREECE on Aug 15, 2007. Male patient, 74 years of age, was diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumour and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: asthenia, bence jones proteinuria, blood calcium increased, bone pain, fatigue, multiple myeloma, normochromic normocytic anaemia, red blood cell sedimentation rate abnormal, x-ray abnormal. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG, QD. Patient died.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5449613-9
Health Professional from AUSTRIA reported IMATINIB problem on Sept 04, 2007. Male patient, 52 years of age, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: central nervous system leukaemia, coordination abnormal, fistula, headache, paraesthesia, paresis, surgery. IMATINIB dosage: 600 MG/D. During the same period patient was treated with IMATINIB MESYLATE. Patient was hospitalized. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5453655-7
IMATINIB problem was reported by a Health Professional from ITALY on Sept 07, 2007. Female patient, weighting 7055 lb, was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: premature baby. IMATINIB dosage: unknown. Patient recovered.
Imatinib Side Effects Report #5465220-6
Physician from FRANCE reported IMATINIB problem on Sept 13, 2007. Female patient, weighting 156.5 lb, was diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumour and was treated with IMATINIB. After drug was administered, patient experienced the following problems/side effects: eyelid ptosis, facial palsy, migraine with aura, paraesthesia, tooth disorder. IMATINIB dosage: 400 MG, UNK. Patient recovered.
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Drug Information: Imatinib
URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a606018.html
(i mat' in ib)Why is this medication prescribed?
Imatinib is used to treat certain types of leukemia (cancer that begins in the white blood cells) and other cancers of the blood cells. Imatinib is also used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST; a type of tumor that grows in the walls of the digestive passages and may spread to other parts of the body). Imatinib is also used to treat dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (a tumor that forms under the top layer of skin) when the tumor cannot be removed surgically, has spread to other parts of the body, or has come back after surgery. Imatinib is in a class of medications called protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps stop the spread of cancer cells.
How should this medicine be used?
Imatinib comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with a meal and a large glass of water once or twice a day. Take imatinib at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take imatinib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
If you are unable to swallow imatinib tablets, you may place all of the tablets that you need for one dose into a glass of water or apple juice. Use 50 mL (a little less than 2 ounces) of liquid for each 100 mg tablet and 100 mL (a little less than 4 ounces) of liquid for each 400 mg tablet. Stir with a spoon until the tablets crumble completely and drink the mixture immediately.
If your doctor has told you to take 800 mg of imatinib, you should take two of the 400 mg tablets. Do not take 8 of the 100 mg tablets. The tablet coating contains iron, and you will receive too much iron if you take 8 of the 100 mg tablets.
Your doctor may increase or decrease your dose of imatinib during your treatment. This depends on how well the medication works for you and on the side effects you experience. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment. Continue to take imatinib even if you feel well. Do not stop taking imatinib without talking to your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking imatinib,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to imatinib or any other medications.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: acetaminophen (Tylenol); certain antibiotics including erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin), clarithromycin (Biaxin), and rifampin (Rifadin, in Rifamate); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antifungals such as ketoconazole (Nizoral) and itraconazole (Sporanox); calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc, in Caduet), diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (Dynacirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia, others), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), and simvastatin (Zocor); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); dexamethasone; hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, injections or implants); pimozide (Orap); medications for anxiety; medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin); sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers. Other medications may also interact with imatinib, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood pressure a heart attack; an irregular heartbeat; diabetes; or heart, lung, thyroid, or liver disease. Also tell your doctor if you smoke, if you use street drugs, and if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while you are taking imatinib. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you become pregnant while taking imatinib, call your doctor. Imatinib may harm the fetus.
- tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You should not breast-feed while you are taking imatinib.
- talk to your doctor about what you should do if you develop diarrhea during your treatment. Do not take any medications to treat diarrhea without talking to your doctor.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit while taking this medication.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Imatinib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- diarrhea
- constipation
- gas
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- indigestion
- joint pain
- muscle cramps
- depression
- anxiety
- night sweats
- teary eyes
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately:
- puffiness under the eyes
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- weight gain
- shortness of breath
- fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- fainting
- coughing up pink or bloody mucus
- increased urination, especially at night
- chest pain
- fever
- rash or blisters
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- blood in the stool
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection
- excessive tiredness or weakness
- headache
- dizziness
Imatinib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- muscle cramps
- swollen or bloated stomach
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to imatinib.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
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