Imanib (Imatinib)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Imanib Used For?
Imanib contains imatinib, which belongs to a group of anti-cancer medicines called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It’s used to treat various types of cancer and blood disorders in both children and adults.
Primary Uses
Imanib treats chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia with Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph-positive ALL), myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases (MDS/MPD), aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM), hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL), gastro-intestinal stromal tumors (GIST), and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP).
How It Works
Imanib works by slowing the growth of and killing cancer cells while leaving normal cells alone.
How to Take Imanib
Your doctor will tell you exactly how many tablets to take. Take Imanib with a large glass of water and food to help avoid stomach irritation. If you can’t swallow tablets, dissolve them in water or apple juice and drink immediately.
Dosage Instructions
Take at the same time each day with water and food. Usually taken as a single daily dose, but your doctor may prescribe twice daily (morning and evening). Use approximately 50 mL liquid for 100 mg tablet or 200 mL for 400 mg tablet if dissolving. Continue until your doctor tells you to stop.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then continue your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache, dizziness, light-headedness or vertigo
- Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
- Rash, eczema, itchy or dry skin
- Skin darkening or lightening
- Sunburn symptoms that happen more quickly than normal
- Noticeable swelling
- Joint or muscle stiffness, bone or vein pain
- Weakness, feeling generally unwell
- Numbness, tingling in fingers and toes
- Change in sense of taste
- Irritated eyes, blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Hair loss
- Throat pain, cough or cold symptoms
- Loss of interest in sex, sexual function problems
- Breast enlargement, nipple pain
- Painful periods
- Slowing of growth in children and adolescents
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Unexpected bleeding or bruising
- Feeling light-headed, dizzy or fainting (low blood pressure)
- Pale skin, tiredness, difficulty breathing, dark urine (low red blood cells)
- Severe stomach pain, blood in vomit/stool/urine, black stools
- Rapid weight gain (severe fluid retention)
- Widespread severe rash with fever, yellow skin/eyes
- Signs of infection (fever, severe chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers)
- Chest pain, irregular heart rhythm
- Severe headache, weakness or paralysis, difficulty speaking
- Eye pain, worsening eyesight, bleeding in eyes
- Nausea with loss of appetite, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes (liver problems)
- Muscle spasms with fever, red-brown urine, muscle pain/weakness
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings to consider before taking Imanib. Tell your doctor about all medical conditions and medications you’re taking.
Who Should Not Take Imanib
Don’t use Imanib if you’re allergic to imatinib or any ingredients in the medication. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, or skin rash and hives.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, heart problems, had your thyroid gland removed, or have hepatitis B infection (it may become active again during treatment).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
This medicine may harm your unborn baby. Use contraception during treatment and for 15 days after stopping. Breastfeeding is not recommended as it’s unknown if imatinib passes into breast milk and could affect your baby.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Imanib and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking Imanib as it may interact with the medicine and affect how your body uses it.
- St. John’s wort (herbal medicine)
- Paracetamol (found in pain relievers like Panadol®, Panadeine®, Codral®, Tylenol®)
- Antibiotics (rifampicin, ketoconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, itraconazole)
- Antiviral medicines for HIV/AIDS
- Dexamethasone (steroid medicine)
- Cholesterol medicines (simvastatin)
- Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone)
- Warfarin (blood thinner)
- Mental health and depression medicines
- High blood pressure and heart medicines
- Cyclosporin
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with activities requiring alertness and follow sun protection guidelines while taking Imanib.
Alcohol
There are no known interactions between Imanib and alcohol, but tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Imanib affects you. The medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or drowsiness in some people.
Sun Protection
Wear protective clothing and use at least 15+ sunscreen when outdoors. Don’t use sunlamps or tanning beds. This medicine makes your skin much more sensitive to sunlight, which may cause rash, itching, redness, or severe sunburn.
Storage
Keep Imanib in the original container until it’s time to take it. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on windowsills. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Imanib, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you don’t feel unwell.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll need regular check-ups and blood tests to monitor if the treatment is working. Your doctor will assess your response and may adjust your dose accordingly.
Yes, you should take Imanib with food and a large glass of water. This helps avoid stomach irritation.
Don’t stop taking Imanib suddenly unless your doctor tells you to. Follow your doctor’s instructions and continue taking it until they tell you to stop.
There are no known interactions between Imanib and alcohol, but you should tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then continue your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose.
Try to avoid medicines containing paracetamol (like Panadol®, Panadeine®, Codral®, Tylenol®) as they’re associated with liver toxicity. Ask your pharmacist for alternative pain relief options.
Some children and adolescents taking Imanib may experience slower than normal growth. Your doctor will monitor growth at regular visits.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.