How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient imatinib mesilate, which is a type of anticancer medicine. It is mainly used to treat a cancer of the blood cells called Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukaemia, but is also used to treat a rare cancer of the stomach and intestine. Chronic myeloid leukaemia is a slowly progressing form of leukaemia that affects a type of white blood cells called granulocytes. These white blood cells develop from cells in the bone marrow called stem cells. Chronic myeloid leukaemia results when the development of stem cells into granulocytes goes wrong, because a cancerous change in a cell is produced. The cancerous change often involves a rearrangement of pieces of the cell's complex genetic material (chromosomes). Leukaemic blood cells often have a Philadelphia chromosome (a chromosome that has a specific piece of another chromosome attached to it), as well as other abnormal chromosomal arrangements. The abnormal chromosomal rearrangements disturb the normal control of the way the blood cells divide and multiply. They cause an enzyme to be produced that changes the cells' normal genetic instructions. This makes the white blood cells multiply without restraint and dramatically increases the number produced by the bone marrow. This increases the number of white blood cells in the blood, and also pushes the bone marrow into smaller and smaller spaces, making it less able to produce normal blood cells. The leukaemic (cancer) cells may also invade other organs, including the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, kidneys, and brain. Imatinib works by targeting the enzyme that is produced by the abnormal Philadelphia chromosome in the cancerous blood cells. Imatinib inhibits the action of this enzyme, which stops the cancerous cells from multiplying and kills them. Because imatinib only acts on cells that have the enzyme produced by the chromosomal abnormality, it kills the abnormal cells while having little effect on normal cell growth. Imatinib is also used to treat a rare kind of cancer that occurs in the wall of the stomach and small intestine. This cancer is called a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). This type of tumour is also caused by an enzyme that makes the cells grow abnormally. In this case the enzyme is called c-kit. Imatinib also inhibits the action of this enzyme, and so can be used to treat c-kit positive gastrointestinal stromal tumours. It is used for those that are unable to be removed by surgery, or have spread to other areas of the body (metastasised).

What is it used for?

A rare cancer that occurs in the wall of the stomach and small intestine (gastrointestinal stromal tumours or GIST)

Cancer of the blood, characterised by an increased number of granulocytes in the blood

Warning!

This medicine may rarely cause a decrease in the normal amounts of blood cells in the blood. For this reason, if you experience any unexplained bruising, purple spots, bleeding, sore throat, mouth ulcers, high temperature (fever), feeling tired or general illness, you should consult your doctor immediately so that blood tests can be carried out to check for this.

This medicine can sometimes cause liver problems. Consult your doctor promptly if you develop unexplained itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusually dark urine, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pains, loss of appetite or flu-like symptoms.

This medicine may be harmful to an unborn baby. Women of child-bearing age should use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while using this medicine.

This medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age, as there is no information regarding its safety and efficacy in this age group.

This medicine may cause dizziness and blurred vision. If affected, caution is required when driving or operating machinery.

This medicine should be taken with food and a large glass of water in order to minimise irritation to the gut.

While taking this medicine you should have regular blood tests to allow your doctor to monitor your liver function and the number of blood cells in your blood.

It is recommended that people taking this medicine are weighed regularly. Any unexpected and rapid increases in weight should be investigated by your doctor.

Use with caution in

Decreased liver function

Elderly people

History of heart disease

Severely decreased kidney function

Not to be used in

Breastfeeding

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

There is no information about the use of this medicine during pregnancy, however it is likely to be harmful to the foetus. For this reason, women of child-bearing potential should use effective contraception while taking this medicine, and it should only be used during pregnancy if considered essential by your doctor. Consult your doctor for further information.

It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk. Mothers who need to take this medicine should not breastfeed. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

Take this medication with or after food.

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