Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S

Description

About

The human body has a natural ability to resist and fight foreign challenges that come in form of infections due to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The inner state of the immune system will dictate how your body will tackle the infection. In certain conditions, the front-line warriors called White blood cells are produced by the body in overabundance, but these cells are anomalous, the condition is called Leukemia with variations that can also affect blood cells other than WBCs. Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S is an anti-cancer medicine belonging to a class of drugs called Tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S is used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, hypereosinophilic syndrome, and others. It is used as targeted therapy and is used as a part of treatment modality including stem cell transplant and surgical options or chemotherapy when required. 

Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S is chemically composed of  Imatinib, which works by blocking Tyrosine kinase receptors, associated with cell multiplication, growth, and its natural death eventually. Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S halts the further proliferation of abnormally growing blood cells in a targeted fashion. Moreover, it is also capable of blocking receptors for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and stem cell factors widely expressed in certain tumors. Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S is taken for a prolonged duration of at least 6 to 9 months or it can last even longer. Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S stays in the body for longer periods so it is taken once or twice a day.  Continuous monitoring of levels of blood cells is required throughout your treatment. 

Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S  is available in form of oral tablets to be taken once or twice a day or as prescribed. It is commonly prescribed to patients to be taken with a meal and swallowed with water. Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S is to be taken regularly, preferably at the same time each day to help the patient remember their daily dose. a controlled/healthy diet and some physical exercise. It is important not to stop the treatment suddenly. A check-up of serum cancer markers and blood cell levels is advised periodically. While Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S can be prescribed to children and adults alike, it is not considered safe for pregnant females and breastfeeding mothers and strict contraception is advised during your treatment. The most common side effects observed with Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S include nausea, vomiting, flatulence, and severe abdominal pain. 

Indications

Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S is prescribed for the management of :

• Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia  

• Unresectable Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)

• Hypereosinophilic syndrome

• Chronic eosinophilic leukemia

• Recurrent dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans 

• Myelodysplastic or myeloproliferative diseases related to PDGFR (platelet-derived growth factor receptor) 

How does Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S work

Tyrosine kinase receptors are naturally occurring and act as a mediator for communication and signal transduction about cell multiplication, growth, and its natural death eventually. Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S is chemically composed of  Imatinib, which works by blocking these Tyrosine kinase receptors, and halts the further proliferation of abnormally growing blood cells in a targeted fashion. Moreover, it is also capable of blocking receptors for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and stem cell factors widely expressed in certain tumors. 

How to use Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S

Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S is available in form of tablets to be taken orally by swallowing, once or twice daily, or as directed by the doctor. It is advised to swallow Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S with a glass of water. It is taken daily, and the patient is advised to take the doses at the same time each day usually at 12 to 24 hourly intervals to ensure sustained levels of medicine in the body. When the daily dose exceeds 600 mg, it can be taken as a divided dose at 12 hourly intervals. 

If you miss a dose of the medication, make sure you take it as soon as possible on that same day unless it is almost time for the next one. Do not double the dose and take your medication as per schedule. Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S must be used with caution in patients with liver conditions. The side effects of this medicine are monitored and necessary adjustments in doses are made, increasing only if the patient can endure. 

Available Potency and form of Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S

Tablet – 100 mg

Tablet – 400 mg

Dosage

Adult Dose

For accurate doses refer to your doctor’s prescription tailored to individual needs. 

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) (Ph+) 

Chronic Phase: 400 to 600  mg orally to be taken once a day

Accelerated Phase:  600  mg orally to be taken once a day

If well tolerated,   400  mg orally to be taken twice a day, every 12 hours

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

600  mg orally to be taken once a day

Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Diseases

400 mg orally to be taken once a day

Hypereosinophilic syndrome/ Chronic eosinophilic leukemia

100 to 400 mg orally to be taken once a day, depending upon the status of FIP1L1-PDGFRα fusion kinase mutation

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans

Tumors showing metastasis, or those that cannot be removed by surgery,

400  mg orally to be taken twice a day, every 12 hours

Child Dose

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) (Ph+) 

The following dose is converted for children as per body weight or body surface area. Accuracy is of utmost importance.

Less than 1 year: Not suggested due to safety risk

1 year and older: 340 mg/m²/day to be taken orally

Maximum Daily  Safe Dose: 600 mg per day

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Less than 1 year: Not suggested due to safety risk

1 year and older: 340 mg/m²/day to be taken orally

Elderly dose

The use of Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S in the elderly population requires careful monitoring of heart, kidney function, and other factors. Advised doses may be adjusted according to the response and severity of your side effects. Your doctor should set the most appropriate dose for you based on your medical history. 

*Special Doses:

Fluid retention: treatment should be stopped 

Severe liver dysfunction: reduce the dose by 25%

The blood count (neutrophils, platelets, WBCs, RBCs, etc) is regularly checked and doses may be adjusted accordingly

Pregnancy use and lactation

Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S poses a risk of adverse effects on the unborn baby, therefore if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to conceive a baby, do not take this medicine, and please consult your doctor first. Also Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S gets secreted into human milk, if you are breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before taking it. Foolproof contraceptive measures are advised while taking this medicine. 

Contraindications

Please inform your doctor if you have a history of any before using Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S:

• Allergic reaction to Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S

• Pregnancy 

Precautions

Please tell your doctor about any of the following conditions before using Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S:

• Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S must be used with caution if you have a history of drug-related allergies

• If you suffer from blood disorders, make sure to discuss them with your doctor first

• Adequacy of liver function must be ensured, mild to moderate dysfunction does not cause a problem but dose reduction may be required if there is a significant liver dysfunction

• The patient is at risk of developing infections while at the beginning of therapy. Watch out for signs of severe infection

• Drinking alcohol will not affect the efficacy of Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S but it must be consumed in small amounts 

• Strict contraception should be adopted during your treatment and sometime after the therapy ends. Potential harmful effects on the unborn baby are eminent

• Monitoring of TSH levels in patients with a pre-existing thyroid condition is advised, Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S can cause reduced thyroid function

• Taking into consideration the expected changes in your blood count, regular monitoring of your blood cells will be done 

• If you notice sudden swelling in your body immediately report to your doctor for these are the signs of retained fluid. Dose adjustment may be required

• Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S can cause Thrombocytopenia in some patients, regular monitoring of blood cells is advised. This may put you at risk of easy bruising and bleeding 

• Side effects on the heart especially in the elderly with comorbidities must be carefully monitored

• Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S can interfere with fertility in male patients. Discuss with your doctor

• While having treatment with Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S  and 6 months after your therapy ends, do not receive any live vaccines like MMR, BCG, shingles, etc.

• Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S can delay growth in children, keep an eye on the progress of your child and report to the doctor in case of a delayed pattern

Interaction with other medications

Certain medications could interact with Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S and may increase or decrease its absorption, in which case, your doctor might alter your dosage. A few of these interacting drugs are given below:

• Flibanserin 

• Warfarin 

• Irinotecan

• Lomitapide 

• Ivabradine 

• Naloxegol 

• Venetoclax 

• Entrectinib 

• fentanyl

• Lopinavir 

• Midazolam 

• Quinidine 

• Vilazodone 

Adverse effects

Like most medicines, Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S has some side effects which include:

Common side effects

• Nausea 

• Diarrhea 

• Muscle pain 

• Fatigue 

• Malaise 

• Dizziness 

• Rigors/ chills

• Symptoms of infection like fever, headache, cough

• Abdominal cramps 

• indigestion/ flatulence 

• Edema 

Less common side effects

• Hypersensitivity/allergic skin reactions

• Swollen and tender joints 

• Hypothyroidism 

• Pruritis 

• Photosensitivity 

• Weight gain 

• Infertility in male 

• Hepatotoxicity 

• Neutropenia 

• Bone pain 

• Stomatitis 

• Hypoproteinemia 

• Hemorrhage 

• Increase serum creatinine 

• Paresthesia of hands and feet 

• Hypocalcemia / Hypokalemia 

How to cope with some of the adverse effects

• Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting) – Avoid eating rich or spicy food. It might help to take medication after food. If you’re sick, try drinking small, frequent sips of water.

• Diarrhea – Keep yourself hydrated by having lots of fluids and if the problem persists, consult your doctor before taking any medication for vomiting and diarrhea

• Stomachache – Try to rest as much as possible and have smaller and more frequent meals. Using a heat pack or hot water bottle over the area in pain might help in giving some relief. If the pain persists and is severe, speak to your doctor

• Headaches – In which case make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid the use of alcohol. Take a prescribed painkiller. Consult your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe

• Bone Pain – A hot or cold compress can be placed at the area of discomfort to bring relief; an over-the-counter pain reliever such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be ingested to bring ease as well. Avoid high-intensity exercise while suffering from muscular pain.

• Bleeding more easily than normal – Be cautious of taking part in activities that could result in an injury or a deep cut. Always wear a helmet while cycling, gloves while using sharp objects like scissors and knives, use an electric razor instead of wet shaving, a soft toothbrush while brushing, and waxed dental floss. Contact your doctor if more than normal bleeding occurs. 

• Muscular Aches and Pains – A hot or cold compress can be placed at the area of discomfort to bring relief; an over-the-counter pain reliever such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be ingested to bring ease as well. Avoid high-intensity exercise while suffering from muscular pain.

• Redness Of the Skin – This can be combated by applying a cold pack to the affected area.

• Photosensitivity – The patients are asked to wear sun protective clothing when going outside including gloves and a hat, to apply generous amounts of broad-spectrum sunblock along with wearing sunglasses. Patients are advised to do all necessary work after sunset to reduce or eliminate sun exposure while undergoing treatment with Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S.

FAQs

#1. WHAT EXACTLY DOES Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S DO?

Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S works by blocking Tyrosine kinase receptors, associated with cell multiplication, growth, and its natural death eventually. Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S halts the further proliferation of abnormally growing blood cells in a targeted fashion. It is used to treat different types of leukemia and certain other conditions. 

#2. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S TO START WORKING?

The full effects of Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S may become evident slowly, in about a few weeks’ time.

#3. HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO TAKE Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S FOR?

The duration for using Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S depends on the severity of the condition being treated and your response to the therapy. In general, it is taken for a long  period, follow your doctor’s advice 

#4. CAN I STOP TAKING  Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Do not just stop taking the medicine unless advised to do so, make sure to complete your treatment even if you feel better. Stopping it without consulting a doctor will put you at a higher risk of complications. 

#5. CAN I DRINK ALCOHOL WITH  Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Avoid consuming alcohol in large amounts when taking Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S to prevent the risk of adverse effects.

#6. CAN I RIDE OR DRIVE AFTER TAKING Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S can affect your concentration and may cause slight dizziness, so you should wait for a while before you can drive or ride a bike if you are feeling okay. If you are feeling unwell avoid such activities. Take safety measures to avoid potential injuries.

#7. HOW SHOULD Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S BE STORED?

Keep the medicine in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Make sure it is not consumed by pets, children, and other people. Dispose of unused medicine when it is expired or no longer needed. 

#8. CAN I TAKE  Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S DURING PREGNANCY OR BREASTFEEDING?

It is not considered safe during pregnancy due to developmental problems in unborn babies. If you are pregnant or are planning to have a baby, please consult your doctor before using Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S. If you are breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before taking Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S as it may pose a risk to your baby. Contraception is advised while using  Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S. If you become pregnant during the treatment, report to your doctor at once.

#9. WHY MUST I PROTECT MY SKIN WHILE TAKING Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Treatment with Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S may lead to the skin becoming sensitive to sun exposure and it is therefore recommended to patients always wear sunscreen, along with being under a shade, hats, and gloves whenever possible to protect themselves from sun damage. If the problem is serious, avoid daytime activities as much as possible. 

#10. WHAT IF I FORGET TO TAKE Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S is taken once or twice a day so you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it’s less than 6 hours until your next dose, in which case you should skip the missed dose. If it helps to remind you, set an alarm, or use a pill organizer or a mobile application so you do not miss any dose. Make sure to complete your course of treatment even if you feel better and think you do not need to take it anymore.

#11. CAN Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S AFFECT MY FERTILITY?

Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S can cause fertility problems in men. If you want to have children, discuss it with your doctor before starting this drug.

#12. ARE THERE ANY FOOD ITEMS I NEED TO AVOID WITH Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Drinks like grapefruit juice and alcohol or alcohol-based products must be avoided with this medicine. Alcohol should be consumed in small amounts since it also potentiates the side effects of Glivec 100mg Tablet 10 ‘S.