Gleevec

Imatinib mesylate, STI-571

Manufactured by Novartis, Gleevec was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003 to treat Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), a rare cancer affecting between 5,000 and 8,000 patients annually.

Gleevec is a cancer drug taken by mouth developed to fight cancer by turning off an enzyme that causes cells to become cancerous and multiply.

Common side effects include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• muscle and joint pains
• skin rash
• diarrhea
• heartburn
• headache
• water retention (edema)

Although rare, more severe and more serious side effects include:

• severe fluid retention (edema)
• liver toxicity
• bleeding (hemorrhage)

Gleevec patients who experience swelling or weight gain from water retention should inform their doctors.

Before taking Gleevec, patients should inform their doctors of all medications they are taking.

Patients are advised to take Gleevec once daily with food and a large glass of water to minimize the risk of stomach gastrointestinal irritation.