Gleevec is prescribed to treat patients with a rare cancer called Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, which typically occurs in people over 40 years old. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia occurs when bone marrow creates too many white blood cells. This is caused by the Ph chromosome, which creates a protein that makes bone marrow produce more white blood cells. Gleevec works by blocking that protein from controlling the bone marrow.
Gleevec should not be used in women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant because Gleevec can cause injury to the baby or can cause miscarriage. Women who are breastfeeding should avoid using Gleevec as well.
- dermatological reactions
- fluid retention and edema
- Gastrointestinal irritation
- hemorrhage
- liver disorders
- kidney toxicity
- drug reactions
- nausea and vomiting
- stomach tumors
Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:
- rash
- nausea
- fever or flu-like symptoms
- discolored stools
- rapid weight gain
- discolored vomit
- severe headache
- difficulty breathing
- easy bruising or bleeding
Also, tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. Gleevec can react with other medicines and can cause allergic reactions.
More than 21,000 people have Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in the U.S., and more than 4,000 new cases develop every year. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia is often difficult to diagnose because patients don’t suffer from many symptoms until later after the disease progresses. Symptoms in early stages do not resemble most cancer symptoms, but include:
- tiredness that won’t go away
- no energy
- decreased appetite
- night sweats
- swollen spleen
If you experience any of these symptoms and you are middle-aged or older, talk to your doctor about your possibility of having Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.
Gleevec will stop bone marrow from creating more abnormal cells, but it cannot cure the cancer. Other treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and bone marrow transplantations are used to help treat Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.