Manufacturer: Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd
Salt Composition : Imatinib mesylate(400mg)
Levin 400mg Tablet is also used for treatment of a skin tumor called dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and a type of bone marrow condition called aggressive systemic mastocytosis. The medicine should be taken with food. Take it at the same time each day to get the most benefit. Continue taking 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.
Levin 400mg 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, a 2-phenyl amino pyrimidine derivative, is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against ABL, BCR-ABL, PDGFRA, and c-KIT. The active sites of tyrosine kinases each have a binding site for ATP.
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 Levin
Edema (swelling)
Nausea
Vomiting
Muscle cramp
Musculoskeletal (bone, muscle or joint) pain
Diarrhea
Rash
Fatigue
Abdominal pain
Bleeding
Breathing problems
Cough
Weight gain
Dry eye
Dizziness
Hemorrhage
There are no contraindications for imatinib. Administration of imatinib with CYP3A4 inducers may reduce total imatinib exposure. Administration of imatinib with CYP3A4 inhibitors may increase total imatinib exposure. Avoid grapefruit juice as it can potentially increase the plasma concentration of imatinib.
Levin 400mg 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 Levin 400mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
Levin 400mg 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 15 days after stopping it.
This medication is used to treat certain types of cancer (such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases). It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.
Drug-Drug Interaction: 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).
Drug-Food Interaction: IMATINIB is known to interact with alcohol, St. John's wort plant (a natural remedy to treat depression), and grapefruit.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), cardiovascular disease, bone marrow suppression, liver or kidney disease, fluid retention, gastrointestinal disorders, stomach ulcer or bleeding, high blood pressure, diabetes or chemotherapy.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
WARFARIN
ASPIRIN
AMLODIPINE
METOPROLOL
NIFEDIPINE
QUINIDINE
ATORVASTATIN
LOVASTATIN
SIMVASTATIN
CYCLOSPORINE
ERYTHROMYCIN
TELITHROMYCIN
ITRACONAZOLE
VORICONAZOLE
KETOCONAZOLE
TRIAZOLAM
ALPRAZOLAM
ESTAZOLAM
PRIMIDONE
PHENOBARBITAL
PHENYTOIN
SAQUINAVIR
RITONAVIR
SILDENAFIL
Store below 30°C
If you miss a dose of Levin 400mg 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 Levin 400mg 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. Levin 400mg Tablet is to be taken with food.
Q. Can Levin 400mg 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 Levin 400mg Tablet?
Levin 400mg 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 Levin 400mg Tablet?
While taking Levin 400mg 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 Levin 400mg 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 Levin 400mg Tablet.
Q. Ever since I started using Levin 400mg 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.
