Imatinib

(eye MAT eh nib)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• Sometimes drugs are not safe when your child takes them with other drugs. They can cause bad side effects. This is one of those drugs. Be sure to talk to your child’s doctor about all the drugs your child takes.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to imatinib or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to treat leukemia.

How does this drug work?

• Imatinib harms cancer cells causing their death.

How is this drug given?

• Give as you have been told, even if your child is feeling better.
• Give this drug at the same time of day.
• Give this drug with food.
• Give this drug with a full glass of water.
• You may put tablet in

How long does this drug take to work?

• It may take a few months to see the full effect.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose or stop your child's drug. Talk with your child's doctor.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• If your child has heart disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has kidney disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has liver disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has lung disease, talk with the doctor. He/she may be more sensitive to this drug.
• If your child has thyroid disease, talk with the doctor.
• Have your child's blood work checked. Talk with your child's doctor.
• Watch your child's growth carefully.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child products that have aspirin, ibuprofen or like products, blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
• Avoid giving your child other drugs and natural products that may slow your child's actions.
• Avoid giving your child grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
• Do not give St John's wort with this drug. This drug may not work as well.
• This drug may cause your child to be less alert. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness. These include playing (for example, riding a bicycle, rollerblading, sports) or using items that call for your child to have focus or coordination (for example, scissors, lawnmower, electric scooters, or toy cars). Your child's actions will be closely watched until you see how this drug affects him/her. School work may be hard for your child to focus on and get done.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Chance of getting an infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred eyesight, or a change in thinking clearly. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for him/her to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how this drug works.
• Headache.
• Cough.
• Runny nose.
• Hair loss. Hair most often grows back when this drug is stopped.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.
• Belly pain.
• Loose stools (diarrhea).
• Muscle pain.
• Anemia, low white blood cell count, and low platelet count.
• Harm to the liver may rarely happen.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried or if any of the unwanted side effects happen after your child is given this drug.
• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child has black, tarry, or bloody stools.
• If your child has trouble breathing.
• If your child has a change in thinking clearly and with logic.
• If your child is feeling very tired or weak.
• If your child has a bad headache.
• If your child has very bad belly pain.
• If your child has a very bad upset stomach or is throwing up.
• If your child has very loose stools (diarrhea).
• If your child has a big weight gain.
• If your child has swelling in his/her legs or belly.
• If your child is not able to eat.
• If your child has dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
• If your child has any bruising or bleeding.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from water. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.