Gleevec

Generic Name: imatinib (oral) (im MA ta nib)
Brand Names: Gleevec

What is Gleevec?

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Gleevec interferes with the growth of some cancer cells.

Gleevec is used to treat a type of blood cancer called Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). It is also used to treat certain tumors of the stomach and digestive system.

Gleevec may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Gleevec

Do not use Gleevec without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Before using Gleevec, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver disease, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, or a history of stomach ulcer or bleeding.

Take this medicine with a large glass of water. Gleevec should be taken with a meal. Do not take the medicine on an empty stomach.

If you miss a dose, take the medicine as soon as you remember, making sure you also eat a meal and drink a large glass of water. If it is almost time for your next meal, skip the missed dose and take the medicine when you eat your next meal. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

To be sure Gleevec is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Before taking Gleevec

Do not use Gleevec if you are allergic to imatinib.

Before using Gleevec, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

liver disease;
kidney disease;
congestive heart failure; or
a history of stomach ulcer or bleeding.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Gleevec.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use Gleevec without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using Gleevec. It is not known whether Gleevec passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Gleevec without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to anyone younger than 18 years old without a doctor's advice.

How should I take Gleevec?

Take Gleevec exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medicine with a large glass of water. Gleevec should be taken with a meal.

To be sure Gleevec is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Store Gleevec at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, making sure you also eat a meal and drink a large glass of water. If it is almost time for your next meal, skip the missed dose and take the medicine when you eat your next meal. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include severe muscle cramps.

What should I avoid while taking Gleevec?

Do not take Gleevec on an empty stomach.

Gleevec side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
black, bloody, or tarry stools;
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
swelling, rapid weight gain; or
sudden, severe headache or pain behind the eyes.

Less serious side effects may include:

mild nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, gas;
muscle or joint pain;
skin rash;
headache, dizziness;
stuffy nose, cough, sore throat;
depression, sleep problems (insomnia); or
tired feeling.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect Gleevec?

Many drugs can interact with Gleevec. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol);
fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Ionsys);
sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf);
St. John's wort;
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
an antibiotic such as azithromycin (Zithromax), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, Grisactin), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), metronidazole (Flagyl, Protostat), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);
antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft);
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
a calcium channel blocker such as diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others;
cholesterol-lowering medicines such as lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol), atorvastatin (Lipitor), or cerivastatin (Baycol).
ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot) or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray);
HIV medication such as nevirapine (Viramune), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), or nelfinavir (Viracept);
sedatives such as alprazolam (Xanax) or triazolam (Halcion); or
seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact Gleevec. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Gleevec.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Gleevec only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.