Imatib 100mg (Imatinib) - 100mg (10 Tablets)

Imatib (Imatinib) is a cancer drug indicated in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in adults and children and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph-positive ALL) in adults. It is also used in some cases of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases (MDS/MPD), Systemic mastocytosis (SM), Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) and or chronic eosinophilic leukaemia (CEL), gastro-intestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP).

Imatib Dosage and Administration

Imatib 100mg comes packaged as a strip of 10 x 100mg tablets. Imatib 400mg Tablets are also available.

The dosage you will need to take depends on the condition being treated. Follow the dosage instructions provided by your doctor. The following are guidleines only.

• For CML, the usual dose for an adult is 400 to 600 mg each day and the maximum dose is 800 mg each day. The dose depends on what stage of CML you have. For children, the dose also depends on the size of the child.
• If you are being treated for Ph-positive ALL the usual dose is 600 mg each day.
• For MDS/MPD, the starting dose is 400 mg.
• For ASM and HES/CEL, the usual starting dose is 400 mg. For some patients the starting dose may be 100 mg.
• For GIST, the usual dose is 400 mg or 600 mg each day.
• For DFSP, the starting dose is 800 mg per day.

It is recommended to take Imatib with food and a glass of water.

Imatib Warnings and Precautions

Imatib can make you overly sensitive to sunlight. Make sure to wear protective clothing, sunscreen and hats outside.

Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking Imatinib.

Try to avoid taking paracetamol with imatinib.

You may experience dizziness or light-headedness. Be careful driving or operating machinery.

Imatib Side Effects

The following side effects can occur when taking Imatinib. They are usually mild. Tell your doctor if the become a bother to you.

• indigestion, upset stomach, wind, feeling of bloating
• nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• dry mouth
• swelling, aching, cramping or stiffness in joints or muscles
• pain in the bones or along veins
• headache
• dizziness, light-headedness or vertigo (spinning sensation)
• tiredness, weakness, feeling generally unwell
• numbness, coldness or tingling in fingers and toes
• difficulty sleeping, feeling anxious, depressed, confused or forgetful
• change in sense of taste
• rash, eczema, itching, dry skin, darkening or lightening of skin
• symptoms of sunburn (such as redness, itching, swelling or blistering of the skin) which happens more quickly than normal
• irritated, red, runny or itchy eyes, blurred vision
• ringing in the ears
• changes in appetite and weight
• hair loss
• sweating during the night
• throat pain
• cough or cold symptoms
• loss of interest in sex, problems with sexual function
• breast enlargement, nipple pain, painful periods
• reddening and/or swelling on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet which may be accompanied by tingling sensation and burning pain

The following are more serious side effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of these:/

• severe allergic reaction that can result in difficulty breathing, dizziness
• rapid weight gain, swelling of the extremities (calves, ankles), generalised swelling such as swelling of the face (signs of water retention)
• weakness, spontaneous bleeding or bruising, frequent infections with signs such as fever, chills, swollen glands, sore throat or mouth ulcers (signs of low level of blood cells)
• Pale skin, tiredness, breathlessness, dark urine (signs of break down of red blood cells).
• Pain and having difficulty walking
• Cough, difficult or painful breathing, wheezing, pain in chest when breathing (signs of lung infections/disorders).
• Muscle weakness, muscle spasms, abnormal heart rhythm (signs of changes in level of potassium in the blood).
• Muscle spasms, fever, red-brown urine, kidney disorders, pain or weakness in muscles (signs of muscle disorders)
• severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, black or bloody stools, swelling of the abdomen/fluid within the abdomen, constipation, stomach pain (signs of gastrointestinal disorders)
• thirst, weight loss and severely decreased urine output (signs of low intake of drinks/fluids)
• nosebleeds or any other unusual bleeding
• vision impairment, blurred vision, blood in eye
• Nausea, loss of appetite, dark-coloured urine or yellowing of your skin or eyes (signs of liver disorders).
• nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever (signs of inflammatory bowel disease).
• Severe rash, red skin, blistering of the lips, eyes, skin or mouth, skin peeling, fever, red raised or purple skin patches, itching, burning, pustular eruption (signs of skin disorder).
• Severe skin rash, itching, hives, blisters or peeling skin, which may be accompanied by fever, chills, headache, swollen glands, stomach pain or aching joints and muscles
• Inflammation of the skin caused by an infection (sign of cellulitis)
• blood in the urine
• severe headache, weakness or paralysis of limbs or face, difficulty speaking, sudden loss of consciousness (signs of nervous system disorder such as bleeding or swelling in the skull/brain)
• seizures (fits)
• swelling and pain in one part of the body (signs that clots in blood vessels)
• crushing chest pain, fever, tiredness, irregular heart beat (signs of heart disorders such as heart attack, angina).
• muscle weakness, muscle spasms, abnormal heart rhythm (signs of changes in level of potassium in the blood)
• pelvic pain sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting, unexpected vaginal bleeding, (signs of gynaecological disorder)
• nausea, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, clouding of urine, tiredness and/or joint discomfort associated with abnormal laboratory (such as high potassium, uric acid, and phosphorous levels and low calcium levels in the blood)
• severe headache, dizziness, blurred vision (signs of increased pressure inside skull)
• fever, skin rash, joint pain and swelling as well as tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), pain in the upper right abdomen, pale stools and dark urine (potential signs of hepatitis B reactivation).