When you are taking Gleevec (imatinib), you should avoid the following:

• Do not become pregnant while taking Gleevec. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Tell your doctor right away if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
• Do not take Gleevec on an empty stomach. Take each dose with a meal and a large glass of water.
• Do not use a broken Gleevec tablet. The medicine from a broken pill can be dangerous if it gets in your mouth, eyes, or nose, or on your skin.
• Avoid driving, operating machinery, or other hazardous activities until you know how this medicine will affect you. Gleevec can cause dizziness, blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Dizziness or severe drowsiness may cause you to fall, have an accident, or lead to severe injuries. Use caution if you are driving a car or operating machinery.
• Speak to your doctor and pharmacist about drug and food interactions with Gleevec. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while you are taking Gleevec, unless your healthcare provider says they can be safely used together. If you have been regularly consuming grapefruit with Gleevec, first ask your doctor if you should stop eating the fruit as this may change levels of your medicine.
• You may need to avoid certain drugs that may cause interactions with Gleevec, such as some antibiotics, iron supplements, seizure medicines or some blood thinners like warfarin. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
• Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections, as your immune system may be weakened. Call your doctor at once if you develop signs of an infection (for example: fever, chills, body aches, fatigue ).

If you are taking Gleevec (imatinib), you should become very familiar with its use. Talk to your doctor about warnings, side effects, use in pregnancy, possible drug interactions and other important patient information for Gleevec. Read all of the information, including what your doctor and pharmacist gives you, and ask them any questions about treatment with this medicine.

Before you start treatment with Gleevec, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure or take blood thinners.

Growth retardation has been reported in children and pre-adolescents receiving Gleevec. The long-term effects of prolonged treatment with Gleevec on growth in children are unknown. Ask your doctor about monitoring their growth if your child is taking Gleevec.

This is not a full list of what you may need to avoid. Speak to your doctor or other healthcare provider about how you should take Gleevec and what to avoid.

Should I avoid any food or other medicines with Gleevec?

It may not be safe to use certain prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, herbal products or some foods with Gleevec. These products may affect blood levels of Gleevec or your other medicines. This may increase side effects or make your medications less effective.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all your current medicines. Many medicines can interact with Gleevec (imatinib), including:

• some antibiotics (including erythromycin), antifungals, or antiviral medicines
• certain seizure medicines (including phenytoin)
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (brand names include Coumadin, Jantoven)
• a vitamin or mineral supplement that contains iron

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Gleevec (imatinib), increase blood levels of imatinib, and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products and other foods known to inhibit CYP3A4 while taking Gleevec. If you have already been regularly consuming grapefruit with Gleevec, first ask your doctor if you should stop grapefruit consumption as it may affect levels of Gleevec in your blood.

This list is not complete and many other drugs interact with Gleevec (imatinib). Tell your pharmacist and other healthcare providers about all of the medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins and any herbal or dietary supplements. They can review your medicines for any possible drug and food interactions with Gleevec.

Related questions

• Is there a generic for Gleevec?
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• How does Gleevec (imatinib) work?

Are there special precautions when taking my dose of Gleevec?

Do not stop using Gleevec or change your dose unless they are told to do so by your doctor. Your doctor may decide to continue your treatment as long as there is no evidence of your disease worsening or intolerable side effects.

All doses of Gleevec should be taken with a meal and a large glass of water. Do not take Gleevec on an empty stomach. Gleevec is sometimes associated with digestive tract irritation or more serious stomach problems.

Do not crush or break your Gleevec tablets. Do not use a broken Gleevec tablet (for example, one that may be in your bottle).

• The medicine from a broken pill can be dangerous if it gets on your skin or in your mouth, eyes, or nose.
• If this happens, wash your skin with soap and water or rinse your eyes with water.
• Ask your pharmacist or doctor how to safely dispose of a broken pill.

If you miss a dose of Gleevec, take your next scheduled dose at its regular time, making sure you also eat a meal and drink a large glass of water. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Don't change your dose or to stop taking Gleevec unless you are told to do so by your doctor. Take your medicine exactly as prescribed.

Contact your doctor immediately if:

• you develop signs of liver failure, which may include jaundice (yellowish tint of the whites of your eyes or your skin), anorexia (loss of appetite), bleeding, or bruising.
• unexpected rapid weight gain occurs, which may be due to edema and fluid retention.
• you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

Is Gleevec safe in pregnancy?

Do NOT use Gleevec if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. It could harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects.

Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using Gleevec and for at least 14 days after your last dose. Use a birth control method that results in a less than 1% pregnancy rate. Talk to your doctor, nurse or other healthcare provider for further advice about the most effective birth control options for you while taking Gleevec.

If you are planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor before starting Gleevec treatment. Do not become pregnant while you are taking Gleevec.

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Tell your doctor right away if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

Do not breast-feed a baby while you are using Gleevec and for at least one (1) month after your last dose. Imatinib, the active medicine in Gleevec, and its active breakdown chemicals can get into breast milk.

Other forms of imatinib (Gleevec, Imkeldi)

Other forms of Gleevec are available on the market.

• Gleevec oral tablet is now available as a generic option known as imatinib. The generic option may help you save money or your insurance company may be more likely to help pay for it.
• An oral liquid formulation of imatinib - known as Imkeldi - was approved by the FDA in November 2024. Imkeldi is a strawberry flavored oral solution that may be more convenient for patients who have trouble swallowing tablets or who require specific dosing, but it is not yet available as a generic product.

What does Gleevec do?

Gleevec, known generically as imatinib, works by slowing or stopping the growth of certain cancer cells. Gleevec is in a drug class called tyrosine kinase inhibitors and is known as a targeted drug therapy. It is used to treat different types of leukemia (blood cancer), bone marrow disorders, skin cancers and certain tumors of the stomach and digestive system.

Gleevec is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

This is not all the information you need to know about Gleevec (imatinib) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of instructions given to you from your doctor or other healthcare provider. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

References

• Gleevec (imatinib) [product information]. Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ. Revised 3/2024. Accessed Nov. 27, 2024 at https://www.novartis.com/us-en/sites/novartis_us/files/gleevec_tabs.pdf
• National Cancer Institute (NCI). Tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Accessed Feb. 26, 2021 at https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/tyrosine-kinase-inhibitor
• Gleevec (imatinib). Product monograph. Accessed Nov 27, 2024 at https://www.drugs.com/gleevec.html

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