Imatinib ratiopharm
Imatinib ratiopharm is a medicine that stops the growth of abnormal cells in certain cancers, such as leukemia and some tumors.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
400 mg
Active Ingredient
Imatinib mesylate
Manufacturer
ratiopharm GmbH
How to Use
Dosage
The typical starting dose ranges from 100 mg to 600 mg daily, but your doctor may adjust it up to 800 mg per day depending on your condition.
Method
Take tablets whole with a large glass of water during a meal to prevent stomach upset. If you cannot swallow them, you can dissolve them in 200 ml of still water or apple juice and drink immediately. Tablets can be split if a half dose is prescribed.
Important
The maximum daily dose is typically 800 mg, taken as one tablet in the morning and one in the evening if your doctor advises.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache, fatigue
- •Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, digestive problems
- •Rash
- •Muscle cramps, joint, muscle, or bone pain
- •Swelling (e.g., in ankles and around eyes)
- •Weight gain
- •Loss of appetite, weight loss, taste disturbance
- •Dizziness, weakness
- •Sleep difficulties (insomnia)
- •Itchy, red, or swollen eyes with discharge; watery eyes, blurred vision
- •Nosebleeds
- •Stomach pain, bloated stomach, flatulence, heartburn, constipation
- •Itching
- •Abnormal hair loss or thinning
- •Numbness in hands or feet
- •Mouth sores
- •Joint pain, joint swelling
- •Dry mouth, skin, or eyes
- •Decreased or increased skin sensitivity
- •Hot flashes, chills, night sweats
RARE
- •Cough, runny or stuffy nose, facial pressure or pain, sneezing, sore throat, headache (signs of upper respiratory infection)
- •Severe, throbbing headache, often on one side, with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound (signs of migraine)
- •Flu-like symptoms
- •Pain or burning during urination, fever, groin or pelvic pain, reddish, brownish, or cloudy urine (signs of urinary tract infection)
- •Pain and swelling in joints
- •Persistent sadness and loss of interest that prevents normal activities (signs of depression)
- •Fear and worry with physical symptoms like palpitations, sweating, tremors, and dry mouth (signs of anxiety)
- •Drowsiness, excessive sleepiness
- •Trembling or shaking movements (tremors)
- •Memory impairment
- •Irresistible urge to move legs (restless legs syndrome)
- •Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
- •High blood pressure (hypertension)
- •Burping
- •Lip inflammation
- •Difficulty swallowing
- •Increased sweating
- •Skin discoloration
- •Brittle nails
- •Red bumps or whiteheads around hair roots with possible pain, itching, or burning (folliculitis)
- •Rash with peeling or flaking skin (exfoliative dermatitis)
- •Breast enlargement (can occur in men or women)
- •Dull pain or pressure in testicles or lower abdomen; pain during urination, intercourse, or ejaculation; blood in urine (signs of testicular swelling)
- •Difficulty getting or keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- •Heavy or irregular periods
- •Difficulty achieving/maintaining sexual arousal
- •Decreased sexual desire
- •Nipple pain
- •General feeling of being unwell (malaise)
- •Viral infection (e.g., cold sore)
- •Lower back pain due to kidney disease
- •More frequent urination than usual
- •Increased appetite
- •Pain or burning in the upper abdomen and/or chest (heartburn), nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, feeling full and bloated, black stool (signs of stomach ulcer)
- •Joint and muscle stiffness
- •Abnormal laboratory test results
- •Painful red lumps on the skin, skin pain, skin redness (inflammation of subcutaneous fat)
- •Confusion
- •Spasms, impaired consciousness (convulsions)
- •Nail discoloration
- •Redness and/or swelling of palms and soles, with possible tingling and burning
- •Painful and/or blistering skin lesions
- •Slowed growth in children and adolescents
Important Warnings
- Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to imatinib or other ingredients.
- Talk to your doctor if you have had liver, kidney, or heart problems.
- Inform your doctor if you are taking levothyroxine due to a removed thyroid gland.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had hepatitis B infection, as the medicine can reactivate it.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you experience bruising, bleeding, fever, fatigue, or confusion during treatment.
Show 28 more warnings
- Avoid direct sunlight and use high-SPF sunscreen, as your skin may become more sensitive.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you gain weight rapidly, as the medicine can cause swelling.
- Fever, chills, sore throat, or mouth sores (signs of infection).
- Chest pain or irregular heartbeat.
- Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain when breathing.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine, yellowing of skin or eyes (signs of liver problems).
- Severe rash, blisters, fever, red or burning skin.
- Severe stomach pain, bloody vomit, stool, or urine, or black stool.
- Greatly reduced urination or feeling very thirsty.
- Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, or fever (bowel-related symptoms).
- Severe headache, weakness or paralysis in limbs or face, speech difficulties, sudden loss of consciousness.
- Paleness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and dark urine (low red blood cell count).
- Eye pain, vision impairment, or bleeding from the eyes.
- Bone or joint pain (signs of osteonecrosis).
- Blisters on the skin or mucous membranes.
- Numbness and coldness in fingers and toes (signs of Raynaud's syndrome).
- Sudden swelling and redness of the skin (signs of cellulitis).
- Hearing loss.
- Muscle weakness, muscle cramps, and irregular heartbeat (changes in blood potassium levels).
- Bruising.
- Stomach pain with nausea.
- Muscle cramps, fever, reddish-brown urine, pain, and muscle weakness (signs of muscle damage).
- Pelvic pain with possible nausea, vomiting, unexpected vaginal bleeding, dizziness or fainting due to low blood pressure.
- Nausea, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, cloudy urine, fatigue, and/or joint problems with abnormal lab values.
- Blood clots in small blood vessels (thrombotic microangiopathy).
- Widespread severe rash, nausea, fever, jaundice, shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, greatly reduced urination, and thirst (signs of an allergic reaction).
- Chronic kidney failure.