Imatinib Sandoz
Imatinib Sandoz is a medicine that contains imatinib, which works by stopping the growth of abnormal cells in certain cancers and other diseases.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
100 mg
Active Ingredient
Imatinib mesylate
Manufacturer
Sandoz A/S
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will tell you exactly how many Imatinib Sandoz tablets to take. The usual adult dose is 400 mg or 600 mg once daily, sometimes up to 800 mg, depending on your condition.
Method
Take Imatinib Sandoz with food to help avoid stomach problems. Swallow tablets whole with a large glass of water. If you can't swallow them, you can dissolve them in still water or apple juice (about 50 ml per 100 mg tablet or 200 ml per 400 mg tablet) and drink the mixture right away.
Important
The maximum daily dose for adults is generally 800 mg.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Rapid weight gain (fluid retention)
- •Signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores)
- •Unexpected bleeding or bruising
- •Headache or feeling tired
- •Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or indigestion
- •Skin rash
- •Muscle cramps or pain in joints, muscles, or bones
- •Swelling (e.g., swollen eyelids and ankles)
- •Loss of appetite, weight loss or taste changes
- •Sleep problems (insomnia)
- •Eye discharge, itching, redness and swelling (conjunctivitis), increased tearing or blurred vision
- •Nosebleeds
- •Abdominal pain or swelling, gas, heartburn or constipation
- •Itching, unusual hair loss or thinning hair
- •Numbness in hands or feet
- •Mouth sores
- •Joint pain with swelling
- •Dry mouth, dry skin or dry eyes
- •Decreased or increased skin sensitivity
- •Hot flashes, chills or night sweats
RARE
- •Chest pain, irregular heartbeat (signs of heart problems)
- •Cough, difficulty breathing or pain when breathing (signs of lung problems)
- •Feeling lightheaded, dizzy or fainting (signs of low blood pressure)
- •Feeling unwell (nausea) with loss of appetite, dark urine, yellowing of skin or eyes (signs of liver problems)
- •Rash, skin redness with blisters on lips, eyes, skin or mouth, skin peeling, fever, raised red or purplish patches on skin, itching, burning, rash with pus-filled blisters (signs of skin problems)
- •Painful red bumps on the skin, skin pain, skin redness (inflammation of fatty tissue under the skin)
- •Severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit, stool or urine, or black stools (signs of digestive tract problems)
- •Significantly reduced urination, thirst (signs of kidney problems)
- •Feeling unwell (nausea) with diarrhea and vomiting, stomach pain or fever (signs of gut problems)
- •Severe headache, weakness or paralysis in arms, legs or face, difficulty speaking, sudden loss of consciousness (signs of nervous system problems like bleeding or swelling in the skull/brain)
- •Paleness, tiredness, and shortness of breath with dark urine (signs of low red blood cell count)
- •Eye pain or worsening vision, bleeding in the eyes
- •Pain in bones or joints (signs of osteonecrosis)
- •Blisters on skin or mucous membranes (signs of pemphigus)
- •Numb or cold toes and fingers (signs of Raynaud's syndrome)
- •Sudden swelling and redness of the skin (signs of a skin infection called cellulitis)
- •Hearing loss
- •Muscle weakness and muscle cramps with irregular heartbeat (signs of changes in potassium levels in your blood)
- •Abdominal pain with nausea
- •Muscle cramps with fever, reddish-brown urine, pain or weakness in your muscles (signs of muscle problems)
- •Pelvic pain, sometimes with nausea and vomiting, unexpected vaginal bleeding, dizziness or fainting due to low blood pressure (signs of ovary or uterus problems)
- •Nausea, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, cloudy urine, tiredness and/or joint pain with abnormal lab results
- •Blood clots in small blood vessels (thrombotic microangiopathy)
- •Confusion
- •Nail discoloration
Important Warnings
- Do not take Imatinib Sandoz if you are allergic to imatinib or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had liver, kidney, or heart problems.
- Inform your doctor if you are taking levothyroxine because your thyroid has been removed.
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had hepatitis B infection, as Imatinib Sandoz can reactivate it.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you develop bruising, bleeding, fever, tiredness, and confusion, as these may be signs of a serious blood vessel condition.
Show 5 more warnings
- Avoid strong sunlight and use sun protection, as this medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun.
- Report sudden weight gain to your doctor immediately, as it may be due to fluid retention.
- This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy unless essential; use effective contraception during treatment and for 15 days after stopping.
- Do not breastfeed during treatment or for 15 days after stopping, as the medicine can harm your baby.
- Avoid driving or operating machinery if you feel dizzy, sleepy, or have blurred vision.