Gleevec (Imatinib) for Leukemia

Overview
Gleevec is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults and children with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) that has tested positive for the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph-positive). Gleevec is also indicated to treat Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children, and relapsed or refractory Ph-positive ALL for adults. Gleevec is also referred to by its drug name, imatinib.

Gleevec is used as targeted therapy for leukemia. Gleevec is a member of a class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Gleevec is believed to work by inhibiting replication and triggering death in leukemia cells.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Gleevec is taken orally either once or twice daily, depending on your provider’s instructions.

Gleevec comes in tablet form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Gleevec lists common side effects including fatigue, rash, edema (swelling), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, pain in muscles and bones, rash, and muscle cramps.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Gleevec include heart failure, liver failure, kidney damage, perforations in the gastrointestinal system, severe edema, dangerously low blood cell counts, hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels), serious hemorrhage (bleeding), fetal harm in pregnant women, and a potentially fatal skin reaction known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Gleevec can slow growth in children and adolescents.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Gleevec — Novartis
www.us.gleevec.com