IMATINIB CAPSULES 100 & 400 MG

Patient should take Imatinib capsule with a meal. This will help protect Patient from stomach problems , Swallow the capsules whole with a large glass of water. Do not open or crush the capsules unless you have difficulty in swallowing (e.g. in children). − If Patient is unable to swallow the capsules, Patient can open them and pour the powder into a glass of still water or apple juice. − If Patient is a woman who is pregnant or might get pregnant and are trying to open the capsules, Patient should handle the contents with caution in order to avoid skin-eye contact or inhalation. Patient should wash her hands immediately after opening the capsules.

Very common or common side effects: −

Rapid weight gain – Imatinib  may cause your body to retain water (severe fluid retention).

− Signs of infection such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers- Imatinib  can reduce the number of white blood cells.

− Unexpected bleeding or bruising.

Uncommon or rare side effects: −

Chest pain, irregular heart rhythm (signs of heart problems).

− Cough, having difficulty breathing or painful breathing (signs of lung problems).

− Feeling light-headed, dizzy or fainting (signs of low blood pressure).

− Feeling sick (nausea), with loss of appetite, dark-coloured urine, yellow skin or eyes (signs of liver problems).

− Rash, red skin with blisters on the lips, eyes, skin or mouth, peeling skin, fever, raised red or purple skin patches, itching, burning sensation, pustular eruption (signs of skin problems).

− Severe abdominal pain, blood in your vomit, stools or urine, black stools (signs of gastrointestinal disorders).

− Severely decreased urine output, feeling thirsty (signs of kidney problems).

− Feeling sick (nausea) with diarrhoea and vomiting, abdominal pain or fever (signs of bowel problems).

− Severe headache, weakness or paralysis of limbs or face, difficulty speaking, sudden loss of consciousness (signs of nervous system problems, such as bleeding or swelling in skull/brain).

− Pale skin, feeling tired and breathlessness and having dark urine (signs of low levels of red blood cells).

− Eye pain or deterioration in vision.

− Pain in  hips or difficulty walking.

− Numb or cold toes and fingers (signs of Raynaud’s syndrome).

− Sudden swelling and redness of the skin (signs of a skin infection called cellulitis).

− Difficulty hearing.

− Muscle weakness and spasms with an abnormal heart rhythm (signs of changes in the amount of potassium in your blood).

− Bruising.

− Stomach pain with feeling sick (nausea).

− Muscle spasms with a fever, red-brown urine, pain or weakness in your muscles (signs of muscle problems).

− Pelvic pain sometimes with nausea and vomiting, with unexpected vaginal bleeding, feeling dizzy or fainting due to low blood pressure (signs of problems with  ovaries or womb).

− Headache or feeling tired.

− Feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), diarrhoea or indigestion.

− Rash.

− Muscle cramps or joint, muscle or bone pain.

− Swelling such as round your ankles or puffy eyes.

− Weight gain.