What is Imatinib?
It is used to treat certain types of leukaemia (blood cancer), bone marrow disorders, and skin cancer.
It also prevents certain tumours of the stomach and digestive system.
Imatinib Uses
Imatinib medications are used to treat various cancers, such as lymphoblastic leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia, and myelodysplastic diseases.
Imatinib works by stopping the growth of cancer cells. It is used to treatΒ immune system disordersΒ such as aggressive systemic mastocytosis and hypereosinophilic syndrome.
Imatinib Side effects
- Diarrhea
- Nausea & Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Headache
- Joint swelling or pain
- Sweating
- Rashes
- Itching
- Some of the severe side effects of Imatinib are:
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Coughing up bloody mucus
- Chest pain
- Peeling or blistering of the skin
- Unusual Bruising
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain
If you have any of these severe symptoms, immediately contact your Doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to Imatinib, if you get any reactions in your body, try avoiding it.
A doctor advised you to take the medicines after seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine, which are more significant than the side effects.
The majority of the people who use this medicine don’t experience any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you experience any severe side effects from Imatinib.
Precautions
Before taking Imatinib, talk to your doctor if you’re allergic to any other medications. The product may contain inactive ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or other serious problems.
Before using the medications, talk to your Doctor if you have any medical history:
- Liver Disease
- Kidney Disease
- Underactive Thyroid
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Stomach ulcer
- Diabetes
- Chemotherapy
Imatinib can cause infections and worsen the situation. Avoid getting into contact with people who have diseases that can spread to others, like chickenpox and the flu.
Talk to your doctor if you’re exposed to any of the viral infections.
How to take Imatinib?
Follow the directions written on the prescription label and read all the medication guides or instruction sheets. Take Imatinib with a meal and a large glass of water.
If you are unable to swallow the tablet, you can dissolve it in a glass of water or apple juice to make it easier to swallow. Use 2 ounces of liquid for each 100-milligram tablet. Stir the mixture and drink it. Avoid using a broken table.
-Doses of Imatinib 400 mg or 600 mg can be taken once daily.
-The dose of 800 mg of Imatinib should be taken as 400 mg twice a day.
The treatment can be continued till there is no such result of progressive disease and unacceptable toxicity.
The dosage of Imatinib is 400 mg/day for adult patients with CML in the chronic phase and Imatinib 600 mg/day for adult patients in the accelerated phase. In the case of CML, the dose is increased from 400 mg to 600 mg.
Missed Dose
- Missing one or two doses of Imatinib will not affect your body. The skipped dose will cause no problem.
- However, with some medications, it won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose, some sudden chemical change may affect your body.
- In some cases, your doctor advises you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Imatinib tablets, there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Warnings for some Health Conditions
Pregnancy
Imatinib can harm the unborn baby or can lead to some congenital disabilities.
Breastfeeding
Avoid feeding your baby at least for one month if you’re taking Imatinib.
>Storage
- Direct contact with heat, air, and light may damage your medicines. Exposure to medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
- Mainly, the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ΒΊF and 77ΒΊF (20ΒΊC and 25ΒΊC).
- Before taking Imatinib, consult your Doctor. If you face any problems or get any side effects after taking Imatinib, rush immediately to your nearest hospital or consult your Doctor for better treatment.Always carry your medications in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies.
- Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor’s advice whenever you take Imatinib.
Imatinib vs Dasatinib:
| Imatinib | Dasatinib |
|---|---|
| It is used to treat certain types of leukaemia (blood cancer), bone marrow disorders, and skin cancer. It also prevents certain tumors of the stomach and digestive system. | Dasatinib is used for treating chronic myeloid leukaemia. It is also used for treating acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. |
| Imatinib works by stopping the growth of cancer cells. Imatinib medication is used for the treatment of immune system disorders such as aggressive systemic mastocytosis and hypereosinophilic syndrome. | Dasatinib is a class of medications which is called as Kinase Inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein which signals cancers cells to multiply |
Some of the serious side effects of Imatinib are:
|
Some serious side effects of Dasatinib are:
|
