IMATINIB 400MG TABLET (IMAT)

Side effects of Imat (Imatinib)

This medicine may cause some serious and unwanted side effects. Which requires immediate medical attention otherwise it can also lead to higher risk. Do not forget to discuss the risk and benefits of this medication with your doctor. 

Common side effects 

• Diarrhea 

• Nausea 

• Loss of appetite 

• Mouth sores 

• Muscle pain 

• Bloating 

• Coughing up blood 

• Seizures 

• Dizziness 

• Headache 

• Irregular heartbeat 

• Vomiting 

• Skin rash 

• Anxiety 

• Pale skin 

• Indigestion 

• Constipation 

• Weight loss 

• Acidic stomach 

• Change in taste 

• Dry mouth 

• Joint pain 

• Indigestion 

• Insomnia 

Serious side effects 

• Difficulty in breathing.  

• Irregular heartbeat. 

• Unusual bleeding. 

• Presence of blood in coughing. 

• Abdominal pain. 

• Swelling around the eyes. 

Note- if any side effect occurs, contact your doctor immediately.

Dosage

Take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Do not crush or chew. Take this medicine on an empty stomach. Take this medicine one hour before or two hours after the meals. 

Missed dose 

•  It is advisable not to miss a dose. If you miss a scheduled dose of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately. 

Overdose 

• In case of an overdose, the doctor will provide emergency medical treatment. 

Usage of Imat (Imatinib)

This medicine is used in the treatment of blood cancer (chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. This medication belongs to a class of medicines known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Take this medicine with food. Your doctor will set your dosing schedule according to your medical conditions and response to the treatment. 

Do not stop the use of this medicine without taking permission from your doctor. Take this medicine as prescribed by your medical advisor. Try not to miss your regular dosing schedule. Protect this medicine from heat and light. Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. 

Warnings

Before starting treatment with the Imat tablet, do not forget to discuss your previous medical history with your doctor. 

•  Contraception 

  • Use effective methods of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine. 

• Children and adolescents 

  • This medicine is not advisable for use in children and adolescents. 

Warnings for female 

• Pregnancy 

  • Imat tablets shouldn’t be used by women who are pregnant. It is recommended that this medication should be avoided during pregnancy. 

• Breastfeeding 

  • This medicine is not recommended in breastfeeding unless it is necessary. Please consult your medical advisor before starting treatment with this medication. 

General warning and precautions 

• This medicine may weaken the immune system. 

• People who are suffering from gastrointestinal disorders shouldn’t use this medicine without consulting with their doctor.  

• This medicine may increase the risk of congestive heart failure.

• Avoid contact with people who have any infections. 

• This medicine should be used with caution in patients having a low level of thyroid hormones.  

• Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding. 

Cautions

• Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet. 

• Not safe for pregnant women

• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery. 

• Do not breastfeed while receiving this medication.

Q1. What is Imat (Imatinib)? 

Ans. Imat (Imatinib) tablet is used to treat certain types of cancer of the blood cells, stomach, intestine, bone marrow, and skin.

Q2. How does Imat (Imatinib) work? 

Ans. This is an anti-cancer medication. This medication belongs to a class of medicines known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This medicine stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. 

Q3. How to take this medicine? 

Ans. This medicine comes in the form of tablets and it has to be taken with food. Do not crush or chew the tablet. 

Q4. What are the side effects? 

Ans. Some common side effects are:- abdominal pain, fatigue, anxiety, vomiting, muscle pain, nausea, rash, joint pain, difficulty in breathing, etc. 

Q5. In what strength is it available? 

Ans. It is available in the strength of 100mg. 

Q6. What should I avoid while receiving this medicine? 

Ans. Avoid contact with people who have infections and follow your doctor’s instructions. 

Q7. Does this affect kidney function? 

Ans. Please consult your doctor, before consuming this drug. 

Q8. Can I consume alcohol while taking this medicine? 

Ans. It is not known whether it is safe or not. Please consult your doctor before consuming alcohol. 

Q9. Does this affect liver function? 

Ans. Use of an Imat tablet is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease. 

Q10. Can I take this medicine during pregnancy?

Ans. This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women. 

Q11. Can I take this medicine during breastfeeding? 

Ans. This medicine is not recommended in breastfeeding unless it is necessary.

Q12. What are the storage conditions? 

Ans. Store this medicine at room temperature. 

Q13.  What happens if I miss a dose? 

Ans. If you miss a scheduled dose of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately. 

Q14. Can I drive after taking this medicine? 

Ans. This medicine may decrease your ability to drive or affect your vision. Do not drive if any symptoms occur.

Interactions

Interactions may change how your medication works and increase the risk for side effects. Don’t forget to disclose your previous medical history with the doctor.

Medicine interaction 

• Clarithromycin 

• Apalutamide 

• Carbamazepine

• Warfarin 

• Ketoconazole 

• Etanercept 

• Lomitapide 

• Pimozide 

• Colchicine

Disease interaction  

• Hepatic impairment 

• Renal dysfunction 

• Fluid retention 

• Bone marrow suppression 

• Gastrointestinal disorders 

• Cardiovascular disease 

Alcohol interaction 

• Interaction with alcohol is unknown. Please consult your doctor before consuming alcohol. 

Contraindications

• Imat medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Imatinib.  

• This medicine is contracted in patients known to be hypersensitive.