Medical science achieved a historic milestone with the development of this medicine, often called a "magic bullet" in cancer care. This medication, containing the active ingredient Imatinib. Oncologists prescribe glivec 400mg tablet for multiple blood cancer and tissue cancers.
Understanding the medication
It is a type of targeted therapy known as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Unlike traditional chemotherapy that kills all rapidly dividing cells, it specifically targets the "engines" that drive cancer cell growth.
Doctors primarily prescribe the medicine for:
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Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): A kind of blood cancer where white blood cell production is excessive.
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Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST): A rare type of cancer that starts in the digestive tract.
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Other Rare Blood Disorders: Including certain types of Ph+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
How the medication Works
In many CML patients, a genetic abnormality called the Philadelphia chromosome creates a faulty protein that tells the body to produce too many white blood cells.
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It identifies this specific faulty protein.
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The medicine sits in the "pocket" of the protein, effectively cutting off the signal that tells cells to multiply.
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By stopping the overproduction, the medicine allows your blood counts to return to normal levels.
How to Take the medication
Taking your medication correctly is vital for long-term success. Follow these simple steps for the best results:
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Always take your tablet with a large meal and a large glass of water. This helps prevent stomach irritation.
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Take your dose at the same time every day to keep a steady level of medicine in your blood.
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Swallow the tablet whole. If you have trouble swallowing, you can dissolve the tablet in a glass of water or apple juice, stir it well, and drink it immediately.
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Similar to many targeted therapies, grapefruit and its juice can increase the amount of the medicine in your body to dangerous levels.
Key Precautions and Monitoring
While medicine is life-changing, it requires regular medical check-ups.
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Fluid Retention: Some patients notice swelling around the eyes or ankles. If you experience sudden weight gain or shortness of breath, tell your doctor immediately.
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Liver and Blood Tests: You will need regular blood tests to check your liver function and your blood cell counts.
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Drug Interactions: Many common medicines, including some herbal supplements can interfere with the medication. Always share your full list of medications with your oncologist.
Common Side Effects
Most side effects are mild to moderate and often decrease as your body gets used to the drug. They include:
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Nausea and mild stomach pain
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Muscle cramps or bone pain
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Skin rash
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Fatigue or feeling tired
Conclusion
In conclusion, the medication has turned chronic myeloid leukemia from a life-threatening disease into a manageable condition. By targeting the specific genetic cause of the cancer, it offers high effectiveness with fewer systemic side effects than older treatments. Visit Magicine Pharma for more information on glivec 400mg.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can patients stop taking the medicine if their blood tests look normal?
No. Even if your blood counts are normal, residual cancer cells may still exist. You must continue taking the medicine exactly as prescribed until your doctor tells you otherwise. Stopping early can cause the cancer to return.
2. Does the medicine cause hair loss?
Unlike traditional chemotherapy, the medicine usually does not cause complete hair loss. However, some patients may notice thinning of the hair or changes in hair texture over time.
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