Imatinib Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 25, 2022.
Applies to imatinib: oral tablets.
Side effects include:
Adverse effects reported in ≥30% of patients were edema, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, rash, fatigue, and abdominal pain.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to imatinib: oral capsule, oral tablet.
Cardiovascular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cerebral hemorrhage, palpitations, tachycardia, congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, hypertension, peripheral coldness, hypotension, Raynaud's phenomenon, chest pain
Rare (less than 0.1%): Increased intracranial pressure, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, pericardial effusion
Frequency not reported: Cerebral edema, pericarditis, cardiac tamponade[Ref]
Dermatologic
Very common (10% or more): Dermatitis/eczema/rash (40%)
Common (1% to 10%): Flushing, pruritus, face edema, dry skin, erythema, alopecia, night sweats, photosensitivity reaction
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash pustular, contusion, sweating increased, urticaria, ecchymosis, increased tendency to bruise, hypotrichosis, skin hypopigmentation, dermatitis exfoliative, onychoclasis, folliculitis, petechiae, psoriasis, purpura, skin hyperpigmentation, bullous eruptions
Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome), nail discoloration, angioneurotic edema, rash vesicular, erythema multiforme, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)
Frequency not reported: Palmoplantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, lichenoid keratosis, lichen planus, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Nausea (50%), diarrhea (45%), abdominal pain (37%), constipation (11%), vomiting, dyspepsia
Common (1% to 10%): Flatulence, abdominal distension, gastroesophageal reflux, dry mouth, gastritis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gastroenteritis, stomatitis, mouth ulceration, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, eructation, melena, esophagitis, ascites, gastric ulcer, hematemesis, cheilitis, dysphagia, pancreatitis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Colitis, ileus, inflammatory bowel disease
Frequency not reported: Ileus/intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal perforation, diverticulitis, gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE)[Ref]
Genitourinary
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary tract infection, gynecomastia, erectile dysfunction, menorrhagia, menstruation irregular, sexual dysfunction, nipple pain, breast enlargement, scrotal edema
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hemorrhagic corpus luteum/hemorrhagic ovarian cyst[Ref]
Hematologic
Very common (10% or more): Hemorrhage (29%), neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia
Common (1% to 10%): Pancytopenia, febrile neutropenia, hemorrhage
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thrombocythemia, lymphopenia, bone marrow depression, eosinophilia, lymphadenopathy, hematoma, subdural hematoma
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hemolytic anemia
Frequency not reported: Thrombosis/embolism[Ref]
Hepatic
Common (1% to 10%): Increased hepatic enzymes
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperbilirubinemia, hepatitis, jaundice
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hepatic failure, hepatic necrosis[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic shock[Ref]
Immunologic
Very common (10% or more): Influenza (14%)
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Herpes zoster, herpes simplex, cellulitis, sepsis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Fungal infection
Frequency not reported: Hepatitis B reactivation[Ref]
Metabolic
Very common (10% or more): Weight gain (16%)
Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, weight loss
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypokalemia, increased appetite, hypophosphatemia, dehydration, gout, hyperuricemia, hypercalcemia, hyperglycemia, hyponatremia, blood creatinine increased, blood creatine phosphokinase increased, blood lactate dehydrogenase increased, blood alkaline phosphatase increased
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hyperkalemia, hypomagnesemia, blood amylase increased[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Very common (10% or more): Muscle spasm/cramps (49%), musculoskeletal pain (47%), joint pain (31%), myalgia (24%), bone pain (11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Joint swelling
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Joint and muscle stiffness
Rare (less than 0.1%): Muscular weakness, arthritis, rhabdomyolysis/myopathy
Frequency not reported: Avascular necrosis/hip necrosis, growth retardation in children[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Headache (37%), dizziness (19%)
Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, hypoesthesia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Migraine, syncope, peripheral neuropathy, sciatica, restless leg syndrome, tremor, vertigo
Rare (less than 0.1%): Seizures[Ref]
Ocular
Very common (10% or more): Periorbital edema
Common (1% to 10%): Eyelid edema, lacrimation increased, conjunctival hemorrhage, conjunctivitis, dry eye, blurred vision
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eye irritation, eye pain, orbital edema, scleral hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage, blepharitis, macular edema
Rare (less than 0.1%): Optic neuritis, cataract, glaucoma, papilledema
Frequency not reported: Vitreous hemorrhage[Ref]
Oncologic
Rare (less than 0.1%): Tumor lysis syndrome
Frequency not reported: Tumor hemorrhage, tumor necrosis[Ref]
Other
Very common (10% or more): Fluid retention/edema (62%, fatigue (39%), pyrexia (18%)
Common (1% to 10%): Taste disturbance, weakness, pyrexia, anasarca, chills, rigors
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tinnitus, hearing loss, malaise[Ref]
Psychiatric
Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (15%), depression (15%)
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anxiety, somnolence, memory impairment
Rare (less than 0.1%): Confusional state[Ref]
Renal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Renal pain, hematuria, renal failure acute, urinary frequency increased
Frequency not reported: Chronic renal failure[Ref]
Respiratory
Very common (10% or more): Nasopharyngitis (31%), cough (20%), upper respiratory tract infection (20%), pharyngolaryngeal pain (18%), sinusitis (11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, epistaxis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pneumonia, pleural effusion, pharyngitis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Pleuritic pain, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary hemorrhage
Frequency not reported: Acute respiratory failure, interstitial lung disease[Ref]
Frequently asked questions
- What to avoid when taking Gleevec?
- How does Gleevec (imatinib) work?
- Is there a generic for Gleevec?
- Can I take Gleevec while pregnant?
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References
1. "Product Information. Gleevec (imatinib)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals (2022):
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.