The Drug Imatikast (Imatinib) and Its Contribution in The Field of Oncology
Imatikast (Imatinib) is a medicine used to treat blood cancer. This medicine belongs to the medicine class of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This medicine is used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. This medicine is a chemotherapy drug. The medicine fights cancer by restricting further growth of cancer cells.
Instructions:
Imatikast (Imatinib) tablet is generally consumed with food, but you must follow the doctor’s advice. The medicine will work best if it is consumed around the same time each day. You must continue to take medicine for as long as your doctor has prescribed. The dosage varies depending on how well your body responds to the medication.
The duration varies for every individual, depending on how severe the case is. In any case, the medicine must not be taken in more or less quantity than prescribed.
You will find significant effects of this medicine after a few weeks or months of medication.
Uses of Imatikast (Imatinib) tablet:
Imatikast (Imatinib) tablet is used for various treatments. Some of the most common uses of Imatikast are:
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia:
Also known as ALL, Imatikast (Imatinib) is used to treat this specific kind of blood cancer. In this type, the bone marrow creates immature and cancerous lymphoblasts. This also prevents the natural growth of normal blood cells.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia:
In this type of blood cancer, the bone marrow generates a large number of white blood cells.
Apart from these two, Imatikast (Imatinib) is also used to treat other types of blood cancers like:
- Myeloproliferative disorder
- Myelodysplastic Disease
- Hypereosinophilic syndrome
- Systematic Mastocytosis
- Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia
- Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
Common Side Effects:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Headache
- Stomach upset
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Muscle or joint pain
Uncommon Side Effects:
- Unexplained weight gain
- Swelling in the hands or ankle
- Fast heartbeat
- Bloody stools
- Shortness of breath
Consult your doctor if any side effect persists for a long time and causes trouble.