How Can I Reduce the Side Effects of Imatinib?

Imatinib is an anticancer medication that is used for the treatment of leukaemia and myelodysplastic cancer. It also treats gastrointestinal stromal tumours. Imatinib is also known as Gleevac. It is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that functions by blocking the activity of BCR–ABL tyrosine kinase. It also blocks the actions of several growth factors which are needed by the tumours. Therefore, it induces cell death in the cancerous cells and thereby prevents the growth and spreading of tumours. Imatinib 400mg tablets are taken orally every day with a meal. However, avoid grapefruit or its juice while consuming this tablet.

Side effects of Imatinib are –

·         Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea

·         Sudden weight loss or weight gain

·         Loss of appetite

·         Dizziness and extreme fatigue

·         Blurred vision and pink eye

·         Redness, rashes of skin

·         Swelling of joints

·         Trouble in sleeping

·         Hair loss

·         Shortness of breath

·         Yellowing of eye and skin

·         Pink mucous in the cough

·         Irregular heart rate

·         Chest pain

·         Muscle cramps

To reduce the above side effects it is advisable to increase the fluid diet. Also, incorporate a healthy nutritious diet plan. If the side effects still prevail then it is advisable to consult the doctor who will prescribe an alternative medication.

Precautions –

• Imatinib can cause an allergic reaction in some patients.
• Avoiding pregnancy during and till fourteen days after the last dose is advisable as Imatinib can harm the fetus. Also, avoid breastfeeding till one month after the last dose.
• Regular use of this medication can cause dizziness and blurred eyesight. Hence driving and operating on heavy machinery is not advisable.
• Inform the doctor about past ailments especially if suffered from heart, lung, kidney and liver disorders.
• Imatinib can interact with other medications like acetaminophen, alprazolam, indinavir, and carbamazepine and also avoid iron supplements. These other medications might interact with the drug and interfere with its mechanism.

Conclusion

Imatinib tablets are an effective medication for the treatment of leukaemia. It starts showing positive results immediately after use and it also increases the survival rate among patients. Magicine Pharma can be consulted to purchase this medication at a reasonable rate and also avail many exciting offers with it.