Manufacturer: Cipla Ltd
Salt Composition : Imatinib mesylate(400mg)
Imatib 400 Tablet should be taken with food, but better to have it same time every day to get the most benefit. You should continue to take it as long as your doctor advises for it. The duration of treatment varies according to your need and response to treatment. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
The most common side effects of this medicine include edema, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, rash, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Let your doctor know if you experience unexpected rapid weight gain. Your doctor may advise for regular monitoring of blood cells and liver function while you are taking this medicine. Do not drive or do anything requiring mental focus if you experience dizziness and blurry vision.
Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.
Imatib 400 Tablet is an anti-cancer medication. A protein enzyme, bcr-abl tyrosine kinase, responsible for the growth of abnormal proliferation of cancer cells. This medicine inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis (planned cell death) in bcr-abl positive cells (cancer cells). This is how it works to stop or slow the spread of cancer.
Imatinib is approximately 95% bound to human plasma proteins, mainly albumin and alpha1-acid glycoprotein. The drug is eliminated predominantly via the bile in the form of metabolites, one of which (CGP 74588) shows comparable pharmacological activity to the parent drug.
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Imatib
Edema (swelling)
Nausea
Vomiting
Muscle cramp
Musculoskeletal (bone, muscle or joint) pain
Diarrhea
Rash
Fatigue
Abdominal pain
If you are suffering from any of the following diseases, you should not take Imatinib Mesylate unless your doctor advises you to do so -
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Kidney Disease
Liver Disease
Jaundice
Bleeding
Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Imatib 400 Tablet is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Imatib 400 Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
Imatib 400 Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Lactating women should not breastfeed while using this drug and one month after stopping it.
Use with caution
Below 9years: Contraindicated
Imatinib is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia with Philadelphia chromosome mutation (Ph+) in blast crisis, accelerated phase, or chronic phase after IFN-alpha therapy failure.
IMATINIB is known to interact with blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin), anti-hypertensive medicines (amlodipine, metoprolol, nifedipine), heart medicines (quinidine, atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin), immuno-suppressants (cyclosporine), antibiotics (erythromycin, telithromycin), anti-fungal medicines (itraconazole, voriconazole, ketoconazole), mental illness medicines (triazolam, alprazolam, estazolam, primidone, phenobarbital, phenytoin), anti-HIV medicines (saquinavir, ritonavir), erectile dysfunction medicine (sildenafil).
Do not chew, crush or break it. Imatib 400 Tablet is to be taken with food.
Store below 30°C
If you miss a dose of Imatib 400 Tablet, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Always take it with food and a full glass of water to prevent nausea.
It may cause dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
Water retention and swelling are very common side effects of Imatib 400 Tablet. Notify your doctor if you have unexpected rapid weight gain.
Do not change the dose or discontinue use without consulting your doctor.
Notify your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including over the counter medicines and dietary supplements.
Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to monitor your liver function and the number of blood cells in your blood.
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Imatib 400 Tablet is to be taken with food.
Q. Can Imatib 400 Tablet be taken with food?
Yes, the best way to take it is with a glass of water and food. This prevents irritation in the food pipe and stomach. If you cannot swallow it, put the tablets in a glass of water or apple juice (approximately 50 ml for a 100 mg tablet and 200 ml for a 400 mg tablet). Stir it with a spoon to make it uniform and drink it immediately.
Q. Is it safe to drive while taking Imatib 400 Tablet?
Imatib 400 Tablet may cause dizziness, lightheadedness or drowsiness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to it before you drive a car or operate machinery.
Q. What precautions need to be followed while taking Imatib 400 Tablet?
While taking Imatib 400 Tablet, make sure you follow all the instructions given by your doctor, carefully and keep all appointments. You will need regular follow-up to ensure that the treatment is working. Regular blood tests, weight checks, and urine tests may be required to find out any side effects before it becomes serious. Make sure you use a method of contraception to prevent pregnancy during treatment with Imatib 400 Tablet. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while you are taking this medicine. If you are about to start taking any new medicine, remind your doctor that you are taking Imatib 400 Tablet.
Q. Ever since I started using Imatib 400 Tablet, I have noticed that I develop rashes and severe itching when I have sun exposure. Is it because of the medicine or the disease?
This medicine may make your skin much more sensitive to sunlight than it normally is. Exposure to sunlight may cause skin rash, itching, redness or severe sunburn. When you are outdoors, wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. If you feel a burning sensation on your skin, tell your doctor.
Q. The doctor has advised me not to take any medicine on my own while taking Imatib 400 Tablet. Should I consult my doctor even if I need to take paracetamol for my fever?
Yes, there are a number of medicines which interfere with Imatib 400 Tablet, including paracetamol. Therefore you should not self medicate while taking Imatib 400 Tablet. Other medicines which interfere with Imatib 400 Tablet include cyclosporin, dexamethasone (a steroid), warfarin, antiviral medicines which treat AIDS and some medicines which treat bacterial infections, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart problems, and mental disorders and depression. Consult your doctor before taking any medicine, and inform him that you are on Imatib 400 Tablet therapy.
Q. What precautions need to be followed while taking Imatib 400 Tablet?
While taking Imatib 400 Tablet, make sure you follow all the instructions given by your doctor, carefully and keep all appointments. You will need regular follow-up to ensure that the treatment is working. Regular blood tests, weight checks, and urine tests may be required to find out any side effects before it becomes serious. Make sure you use a method of contraception to prevent pregnancy during treatment with Imatib 400 Tablet. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while you are taking this medicine. If you are about to start taking any new medicine, remind your doctor that you are taking Imatib 400 Tablet.
Q. Can I expect that if I take Imatib 400 Tablet regularly and as advised by the doctor for CML, I will be cured?
Imatib 400 Tablet has proved effective in many cases of CML. It is also noticed that the chances of survival increase after taking this medicine. The doctor who is treating CML can tell you better. The doctor will analyze your current state, blood test results, response to treatment, any other medical illness which you may be having, etc. and tell you.
