Glivec (imatinib)

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion or abdominal pain

Excessive fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in swelling (oedema)

Fatigue

Pain in the muscles or joints

Rash or itching

Headache

Disturbance in the normal numbers of blood cells in the blood

Loss of appetite

Alteration in taste

Dizziness

Pins and needles sensations (paraesthesia)

Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)

Blurred vision

Inflammation of the lining of the eye, causing pain and redness (conjunctivitis)

Nosebleeds (epistaxis)

Shortness of breath

Dry skin

Hair loss (alopecia)

Night sweats

Liver disorders

Depression

Sexual problems

Bleeding from the stomach or intestines

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

Imatinib can prevent the breakdown of paracetamol by the liver. You should not take paracetamol with this medicine without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist.

The following medicines may decrease the blood level of imatinib, which may make it less effective:

dexamethasone

phenytoin

carbamazepine

rifampicin

phenobarbital (phenobarbitone)

the herbal remedy St John's wort (hypericum perforatum).

The following medicines may increase the blood level of imatinib, which could increase the risk of side effects:

antifungals such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, miconazole

the antibiotics erythromycin or clarithromycin.

Imatinib may increase the blood levels of the following medicines, which may increase the risk of their side effects:

ciclosporin

pimozide

statins, eg simvastatin

certain calcium channel blockers, eg nifedipine

benzodiazepines, eg alprazolam, triazolam.

Imatinib may alter the anti-blood-clotting effect of warfarin. For this reason, warfarin is not recommended in combination with this medicine. People who need a medicine to prevent blood clots should instead be prescribed a heparin.

There may be an increased risk of side effects on the liver or blood cells if imatinib is used in combination with chemotherapy medicines that can have side effects on these areas.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

There are currently no other medicines available in the UK that contain imatinib as the active ingredient.

<<Go To Page 1

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved