IMATINIB belongs to a class of drugs known as ‘anti-cancer medication’ containing Imatinib primarily used to treat various cancer types. It is used to treat cancer of the blood (chronic myeloid leukaemia and acute lymphocytic leukaemia) and gastrointestinal stromal tumour. It works by inhibiting an enzyme responsible for cancer cell proliferation and induces cell death (apoptosis). As a result, the growth and spread of cancer cells in stopped or slowed down.
Take IMATINIB as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take IMATINIB for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending upon your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience nausea, vomiting, oedema, fatigue, muscle cramps, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhoea, rash, abdominal pain. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
Do not take IMATINIB if you are allergic to IMATINIB or any of its ingredients. Always take it with food and a full glass of water to prevent nausea. While taking IMATINIB, you might become more sensitive to sunlight, so it is important to protect your skin with a high sun protection factor (SPF). Regular blood tests are required to monitor liver function and blood cells in the blood while taking IMATINIB. IMATINIB can cause swelling and water retention, so if you have unexpected rapid weight gain, please consult your doctor. If you ever had a hepatitis B infection, please tell your doctor before starting IMATINIB as it can make hepatitis B active again.
