What to Avoid When Taking Gleevec?

Gleevec is a medication used to treat certain types of cancers. It can be an effective treatment, but there are some things to avoid while taking it.

Some common side effects of Gleevec include fatigue, nausea, and muscle pain. To avoid these side effects, it is important to take the medication as prescribed and to get plenty of rest. It is also important to eat small, frequent meals and to avoid spicy or greasy foods.

Gleevec can also cause low blood counts. To avoid this, it is important to take the medication as prescribed and to have your blood checked regularly. If you develop a fever or any other infection, it is important to see your doctor right away.

Gleevec can also interact with other medications. To avoid interactions, it is important to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications. It is also important to avoid alcohol while taking Gleevec.

If you experience any serious side effects, it is important to stop taking Gleevec and contact your doctor immediately.

Gleevec is a medication used to treat certain types of cancer. It is a targeted therapy drug that works by blocking the action of a protein that is necessary for cancer cell growth. Gleevec is most commonly used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

The most common side effects of Gleevec are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue, headache, and skin rash. These side effects are generally mild and do not require treatment. More serious side effects of Gleevec include liver damage, low blood counts, and fluid retention. These side effects are more likely to occur in people who are taking Gleevec for a long period of time or at high doses.

If you experience any side effects while taking Gleevec, it is important to contact your doctor. He or she will be able to determine if the side effects are a result of the medication or something else. In most cases, the side effects of Gleevec can be managed with medication or other treatments.

If you experience any of the following side effects, you should contact your doctor immediately or go to the nearest emergency room:

• shortness of breath

• chest pain

• weakness in one part or side of your body

• slurred speech

• sudden vision changes

• confusion

• dizziness

• severe headache

These side effects could be signs of a serious medical condition, such as a heart attack, stroke, or aneurysm. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention right away.

There are a few foods and drinks that you should avoid while taking gleevec. Alcohol can increase the risk of liver damage, so it is best to avoid it. Grapefruit juice can interact with gleevec and increase the level of the drug in your blood, so it is best to avoid it. Caffeine can also interact with gleevec and cause side effects such as anxiety and insomnia, so it is best to avoid it.

Gleevec (imatinib) is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. It is used to treat certain types of leukemia and-gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Gleevec is usually taken once daily with or without food. You may need to take this medication for several months to years in order to see its full effect.

Avoid taking the following medications while taking gleevec:

• antacids or other medications that contain aluminum, magnesium, or calcium. These medications can decrease the amount of gleevec in your blood, making it less effective.

• cholesterol-lowering medications such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), or simvastatin (Zocor). Taking these medications with gleevec can increase your risk of muscle problems.

• medications that can weaken the immune system such as azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), or muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3). Taking these medications with gleevec can increase your risk of infection.

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or celecoxib (Celebrex). Taking these medications with gleevec can increase your risk of bleeding.

You should also avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit while taking gleevec. Grapefruit juice can increase the level of gleevec in your blood, which could increase your risk of side effects.

There are a few things to avoid while on gleevec which include alcohol, smoking, and taking other medications without first consulting your doctor. Alcohol can increase the side effects of gleevec and smoking can decrease the effectiveness of the medication. It is also important to avoid taking other medications without first consulting your doctor as they may interact with gleevec.

Gleevec, also known as imatinib, is a targeted cancer drug that works by inhibiting the activity of a certain protein in cancer cells. This protein, known as the BCR-ABL protein, is responsible for the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells. Gleevec is most commonly used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), but it is also sometimes used to treat other types of cancer, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

The length of time you should avoid sun exposure after taking gleevec depends on the reason why you are taking the drug. If you are taking gleevec to treat CML, you should avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks after your last dose. This is because gleevec can make your skin more sensitive to the sun and increase your risk of sunburn. If you are taking gleevec to treat GISTs, you should avoid sun exposure for at least four weeks after your last dose.

In general, it is important to protect your skin from the sun when taking gleevec. You should wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and you should wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt and pants, when you are outside. If you can, you should also avoid being outside during the midday hours when the sun is at its strongest.

If you miss a dose of Gleevec, CALL YOUR DOCTOR OR NURSE IMMEDIATELY. Do not take a double dose unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The possible serious side effects of gleevec are:

1. Anemia

2. Increased risk of bleeding

3. Infection

4. Tumor lysis syndrome

5. Peripheral neuropathy

6. gastrointestinal perforation

7. hepatotoxicity

8. renal failure

9. skin rash

10. fluid retention

11. muscle cramps

12. nausea and vomiting

13. headache

14. fatigue

15. dizziness

16. diarrhea

17. shortness of breath

18. low blood pressure

19. loss of appetite

20. confusion

21. Amarosis fugax

22. visual hallucinations

23. seizure

24. coma

25. death

If you experience any of the serious side effects listed below, you should contact your doctor immediately:

-an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives)

-a blood clot (symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, or calf or thigh pain)

-a heart attack (symptoms may include chest pain or pressure, pain in the arm or jaw, nausea, and sweating)

-a stroke (symptoms may include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg; confusion; or vision problems)

-bleeding that will not stop

-unusual bruising or bleeding

-black, tarry stools

- vomit that looks like coffee grounds

-severe abdominal pain

-yellowing of the skin or eyes

-flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, body aches)

-a rash

-hives

-blisters

-peeling skin

-mouth sores

-difficulty breathing

-wheezing

-swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

-hoarseness

-decreased urination

-painful or difficult urination

-increased thirst

-dry mouth

-muscle pain or weakness

-joint pain

-restricted movement

-unexplained weight loss

-excessive fatigue

-changes in mood or mental status

-numbness

-tingling

-seizures