Imatinib-Teva (Imatinib (As Mesilate))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Imatinib-Teva Used For?
Imatinib-Teva is an anti-cancer medicine that belongs to a group called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It’s used to treat various types of cancer and blood disorders in both children and adults.
Primary Uses
Imatinib-Teva 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) and chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL), gastro-intestinal stromal tumors (GIST), and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP).
How It Works
Imatinib-Teva works by slowing the growth of and killing cancer cells while leaving normal cells alone.
How to Take Imatinib-Teva
Your doctor will determine the exact number of tablets you need to take. Follow their instructions carefully and continue taking Imatinib-Teva until your doctor tells you to stop.
Dosage Instructions
Take Imatinib-Teva with a large glass of water and food to help avoid stomach irritation. It’s usually taken once daily at the same time each day, though your doctor may prescribe it twice daily (morning and evening). If you can’t swallow tablets, dissolve them in water or apple juice (50 mL for 100 mg tablet or 200 mL for 400 mg tablet), stir completely, and drink immediately.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, then continue with your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
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
- Increased sunburn sensitivity
- Noticeable swelling
- Joint or muscle stiffness and pain
- Bone pain or pain along veins
- Weakness, feeling generally unwell
- Numbness, tingling in fingers and toes
- Change in sense of taste
- Eye irritation, 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 or urine, black stools
- Rapid weight gain (severe fluid retention)
- Widespread severe rash with fever and difficulty breathing
- Signs of infection (fever, severe chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers)
- Liver problems (nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes)
- Severe headache, weakness or paralysis, difficulty speaking, loss of consciousness
- Chest pain, irregular heart rhythm
- Eye pain, worsening eyesight, bleeding in eyes
- Muscle spasms with fever, red-brown urine, muscle pain or weakness
Important Warnings
Before taking Imatinib-Teva, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure safe use.
Who Should Not Take Imatinib-Teva
Do not take Imatinib-Teva if you are allergic to imatinib or any of the ingredients listed in the medication guide. 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, have had your thyroid gland removed, or have hepatitis B infection (as it may become active again during treatment).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
This medicine may be harmful to your unborn baby. Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Use contraception during treatment and for 15 days after ending treatment. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Imatinib-Teva 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 Imatinib-Teva as it may affect how your body uses this medicine
- St. John’s wort (herbal medicine)
- Paracetamol (found in painkillers 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 aware of how Imatinib-Teva affects you before driving or drinking alcohol, and take appropriate precautions.
Alcohol
There are no known interactions between Imatinib-Teva and alcohol. However, tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Imatinib-Teva affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or drowsiness in some people.
Sun Protection
When outdoors, wear protective clothing and use at least 15+ sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds. This medicine may make your skin much more sensitive to sunlight, potentially causing rash, itching, redness, or severe sunburn.
Storage
Keep Imatinib-Teva in its original container until it’s time to take it. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Imatinib-Teva, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
You will need regular check-ups with your doctor to monitor how well the treatment is working. Your doctor will assess your response through blood tests and other monitoring.
Yes, you should take Imatinib-Teva with food and a large glass of water. This helps avoid stomach irritation.
Do not stop using this medicine 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 Imatinib-Teva and alcohol, but you should tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then continue with your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Try to avoid taking medicines containing paracetamol (like Panadol, Panadeine, Codral, Tylenol) as they may interact with Imatinib-Teva. Ask your pharmacist to suggest an alternative medicine for minor aches and pains.
Some children taking Imatinib-Teva may have 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.