Have a prescription for Imatinib and looking to lower your copays? We can help – click here
This Guide to Imatinib Mesylate covers everything you need to know about this prescription drug that treats certain leukemias, cancers, and blood cell diseases. Imatinib Mesylate can also treat certain immune system disorders.
The FDA approved Imatinib Mesylate in 2003 as the generic alternative to the brand-name drug, Gleevec.
Use this guide as a reference for important information about Imatinib Mesylate if you are currently taking or considering taking the medication. Always consult with your healthcare provider first to help you decide if this drug is the right treatment for you.
Types of Conditions That Imatinib Mesylate Treats
Depending on the treatment plan, doctors prescribe Imatinib Mesylate alone or with other medicines to treat different cancer or bone marrow conditions. Imatinib Mesylate treats these diseases:
Aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM) – Doctors prescribe this when the disease advances and has a specific mutation in the c-KIT gene.
Chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL) – Approved for adults diagnosed with this disease.
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) – Treats adults whose disease is chronic, metastatic, and cannot be removed by surgery.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) – Prescribed when the disease is KIT positive and cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. Doctors also prescribe it after surgery to remove the tumor in adults with KIT-positive disease.
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) – Approved for adults diagnosed with this disease.
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) – Treats adults who have been diagnosed with this disease.
Myeloproliferative diseases (MPD) – Approved for adults who have been diagnosed with this disease.
Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) – Treats adults and children. In adults, doctors prescribe it for disease that has recurred or doesn’t respond to treatment. In children, doctors combine it with chemotherapy as the first treatment after diagnosis.
Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) – Treats adults and children with newly-diagnosed chronic phase disease or chronic, accelerated, or blastic phase disease that became worse after interferon-alpha therapy.
What Is Imatinib Mesylate, and How Does It Work?
Imatinib Mesylate belongs to a class of medications called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). It blocks the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps stop the spread of cancer cells. The National Cancer Institute provides detailed information about how TKI medications work.
Clinical Effectiveness of Imatinib Mesylate
In its first clinical trial, 31 patients received treatment with this drug. All 31 individuals experienced complete remission – their blood counts returned to normal.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that the estimated overall survival rate at 10 years among patients receiving first-line Imatinib Mesylate treatment was 83.3% in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia patients.
What Are the Possible Side Effects of Imatinib Mesylate?
As with most medications, those taking Imatinib Mesylate may experience side effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, they may need medical attention if they do occur.
Common Side Effects
Alert your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following common side effects of Imatinib Mesylate:
- Diarrhea
- Belly pain
- Fatigue (lack of energy)
- Edema (swelling, typically in your legs, ankles, or feet and around your eyes)
- Muscle cramps or pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rash
Many of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they become more severe or don’t go away, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious Side Effects
While not common, serious side effects can occur. Call your doctor right away if you experience any of these below. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you have a medical emergency.
Severe Fluid Retention
Fluid can build up in and around your heart, lungs, and belly. Symptoms include rapid weight gain, chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble taking deep breaths or breathing when lying down, dry cough, or swollen belly.
Blood Disorders
Symptoms include fatigue (lack of energy), rapid heart rate, frequent infections, shortness of breath, fever, bruising easily, bleeding of the gums, and blood in the urine or stool.
Congestive Heart Failure and Other Heart Problems
Symptoms include unexpected weight gain, abnormal heart rate, chest pain, shortness of breath, and edema (swelling of legs, ankles, and feet).
Liver Damage or Liver Failure
Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, itchy skin, jaundice, edema, fluid buildup in the belly, frequent bleeding, and bruising.
Severe Hemorrhage
Bleeding that doesn’t stop, usually in the intestines. Symptoms include blood in stool, black or tarry stool, fatigue, coughing up blood or black sludge, nausea, and stomach cramps.
Gastrointestinal Problems
This includes perforations in your stomach or intestines. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain, fever, shortness of breath, and fast heartbeat.
Severe Skin Problems
Symptoms include red patches or blisters on the soles of your feet or palms of your hands, sores in your mouth, throat, eyes, genitals, fever, and body aches.
Hypothyroidism
Low thyroid levels can occur in people who have had their thyroid removed and take thyroid replacement medication. Symptoms include lack of energy, constipation, depression, feeling cold, dry skin, weight gain, and memory problems.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome
Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.
Kidney Damage
Symptoms include urinating less, edema, fatigue, nausea, confusion, and high blood pressure.
Other side effects not listed may occur in some patients, and some usually do not need medical attention. Please consult with your doctor if you experience any side effects, as they may be able to help you prevent or reduce them. The FDA provides comprehensive safety information about prescription medications.
Drug Interactions
Drug interactions can affect how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. Keep an updated list of all current medications you use to share with your physician and pharmacist to identify and prevent potential drug interactions. This list should include prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products.
Imatinib Mesylate can slow down removing other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include flibanserin, irinotecan, lomitapide, and warfarin. This is not a complete list, so always speak with your doctor.
Learn more about drug interactions from the National Institutes of Health.
Need Help with Imatinib Copay Assistance?
QuickRx helps patients access copay assistance programs to reduce out-of-pocket costs for Imatinib Mesylate. Contact us today to learn how we can help lower your medication costs.
