UBAT KIMOTERAPI PUSINGAN PERTAMA-GLIVEC

Imatinib mesylate(Gliverc - RM12880.00 untuk sebulan bagi 600mg) Mula makan daripada Mei 2007 hingga  

Disember 2009.

Sekarang ku makan pula ubat kimoterapi pusingan kedua - SUTENT(sunitinib) yang berharga RM17650.00 sebulan. Ku dah makan selama 4 pusingan. 

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Last Updated: November 3, 2005

Examples

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Gleevec	imatinib mesylate

Imatinib is available as capsules you can swallow.

How It Works

Imatinib blocks signals within cancer cells. This keeps cancer cells from growing and spreading.

Why It Is Used

Imatinib is used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and some types of rare stomach cancer.

How Well It Works

Imatinib works better than any other drug for the treatment of CML. In addition, it has the fewest side effects. 1 Clinical trials are testing how well the drug works for other types of cancer.

Side Effects

Side effects of imatinib are generally mild and can include:

• Decreased white blood cell counts, which may lead to increased infections.
• Decreased platelet counts, which may lead to bleeding in the digestive tract, causing tarry stools.
• Nausea or vomiting. You may be able to decrease these side effects by taking your medicine with a meal and a full glass of water.
• Diarrhea.
• Heartburn.
• Headache.
• Muscle cramps.
• Fluid retention and swelling, especially around the eyes.
• Rash.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Imatinib should be used only under the supervision of a medical oncologist or hematologist. He or she will monitor your blood counts regularly.

You may not be able to become pregnant or father a child after taking this drug. Talk about this with your doctor before starting treatment.

Imatinib can cause birth defects. Do not use this drug if you are pregnant or wish to become pregnant or father a child while you are taking it. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this drug.

Imatinib can interact with many other drugs. Be sure that your doctor knows all the prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking.

If imatinib becomes less effective over time, your doctor may prescribe it along with another drug or try other drugs to treat your cancer.

Do not take imatinib with grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice can make imatinib useless.