Can Gleevec cause skin problems?

Rashes are a common side effect of Gleevec-induced rashes vary from mild to severe. Rashes occur more frequently in females and at higher doses with gender appearing to be the more important factor. Rash varies in cause and treatment: Shingles (treated with antiviral, steroids makes it worsen)

Does imatinib cause hair loss?

In most cases, the drug is well tolerated: however, side effects can be seen. Hair loss and paronychia inflammation were often reported with Imatinib, but total alopecia was rarely mentioned. We report a CML patient who was presented with alopecia and paronychia inflammation probably induced by imatinib therapy.

Does imatinib cause weight gain?

The median weight at the start of imatinib therapy was 76.8 kg (range 49.7-123). There was a statistically significant gain in weight in evaluable patients even at 6 months (P < . 0001), with more than 75% of patients gaining weight (Tables 1 and 2).

Can Gleevec cause eye problems?

Periorbital edema and epiphora are the two most common ocular side-effects related to imatinib mesylate therapy. Clinical characteristics of imatinib mesylate induced periorbital edema are described. Management of ocular side-effects is conservative except in very rare cases of visually significant periorbital edema.

Does imatinib cause itching?

The most common cutaneous adverse reactions from imatinib mesylate (IM) are swelling and edema. Maculopapular rash with pruritus is one of the most common side effects from IM and can be effectively treated with oral or systemic antihistamines.

Can imatinib be stopped?

Imatinib (IM) can safely be discontinued in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who have had undetectable minimal residual disease (UMRD) for at least 2 years. We report the final results of the Stop Imatinib (STIM1) study with a long follow-up.

What happens if I stop taking imatinib?

In essence, these cells “wake up” when the drug is discontinued. Post-imatinib recurrences of GIST have been found to be highly aggressive, placing the patient at risk for marked acceleration of tumor growth and a rapidly fatal course.

How long can you stay on Gleevec?

Life Expectancy Improves. CML patients taking Gleevec (imatinib) were followed for up to eight years. In order to be enrolled in the study, patients needed to be incomplete remission after two years of starting the drug, and the study confirmed that they could expect to live as long as people without cancer.

What happens when you stop taking Gleevec?

According to the NCCN guidelines (Version 2

Is imatinib chemo?

Gleevec ® (imatinib mesylate) is a prescription medication that contains imatinib mesylate, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are a class of chemotherapy medicines. Gleevec is approved for the treatment of certain types of cancer, including: Leukemia and other cancers of the blood and bone marrow.

What is imatinib used for?

Medical uses. Imatinib is used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and a number of other malignancies.