What is Gleevec? 

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, a history of stomach ulcer or bleeding or if you are receiving chemotherapy. 

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. 

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

• kidney disease; 
• congestive heart failure; 
• a history of stomach ulcer or bleeding; or 
• if you are receiving chemotherapy. 

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

FDA pregnancy category D. Gleevec can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication 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 imatinib 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 to Gleevec: 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; 
• urinating more or less than usual, or not at all; or 
• sudden, severe headache or pain behind the eyes. 

Less serious Gleevec 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. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA. 

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), metronidazole (Flagyl) or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater); 
• an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral); 
• 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)  or atorvastatin (Lipitor). 
• 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 is accurate, up-to-date,  and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may  be time sensitive. 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. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,  or adverse effects. 

Notes: Dr. Nelson Crumfield

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EditText of this page (last edited June 19, 2010)