Discussion on the use and price of Imatinib (Gleevec) for CML patients.

by MEDIXO CENTRE Pharmaceuticals

Imatinib is known under the brand name Gleevec. Imatinib is used to treat adults who have newly developed certain types of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph1 ALL) and Ph1 (rebellious) ALL that have not responded to the action of other medications. Imatinib is also used to treat Darier-Ferrand dermatofibroma, a cancer in which the tissue under the skin proliferates uncontrolled when it cannot be surgically removed or when it spreads to other parts of the body.

Imatinib is also indicated in the treatment of other types of cancers. Imatinib is also useful in treating certain types of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a cancer that affects different tissues of the stomach and intestines. Imatinib is also indicated in the treatment of some types of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or myeloproliferative disorders (MPS), aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM), hype eosinophilic syndrome (HES), and chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL). These conditions are characterized by an uncontrolled proliferation of various types of blood cells. Generic is playing very important role in CML patient life who can't afford the Imatinib cost. This is reducing the financial burden to a great extent. Living in a developing, lower-middle income country like the Philippines, Malaysia it is quite difficult to afford the price of Imatinib.

How to take Imatinib?

Follow the directions written on the prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Take Imatinib with a meal and a large glass of water

If you cannot swallow the tablet, you can dissolve it in a glass of water or apple juice to make the tablet easier to swallow. Use 2 ounces of fluid for each 100-milligram tablet. Stir the mixture and drink it. Avoid using a broken table

-Imatinib 400 mg or 600 mg doses can be taken once daily.

-Imatinib 800 mg dose should be taken at 400 mg twice daily.

Treatment may be continued until there is no longer any evidence of progressive disease and unacceptable toxicity.

The dosage of Imatinib is 400 mg/day for adult patients with CML in chronic phase and Imatinib 600 mg/day for adult patients in accelerated phase. In case of CML, the dose is increased from 400 mg to 600 mg.

Imatinib Side Effects

Diarrhoea

·        Nausea

·        Vomiting

·        Loss of appetite

·        Weight loss

·        Headache

·        Joint swelling or pain

·        Sweat

·        Rashes

·        Itching

·        Shortness of breath

·        Irregular heartbeat

·        Coughing up bloody mucus

·        Chest pain

·        Peeling or blistering of the skin

·        Unusual bruising

·        Weakness

·        Abdominal pain

If you experience any of these serious symptoms, contact your doctor immediately for help. In any case, due to Veenat 400mg (Imatinib), if you have any reactions in your body, try to avoid it.

A doctor has advised you to take the medicines seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine are greater than the side effects. The majority of people who use this medication do not experience any side effects. See a doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects from Imatinib.

Missed dose

Missing one or two doses of Imatinib will have no effect on your body. The skipped dose poses no problem. But with some medications it won't work if you don't take the dose on time. If you miss a dose, a sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your doctor will advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you forget the dose.

If you are taking any of these medications, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Advice

You will have to take good amount of water if you are taking Imatinib.

The treatment may cause nausea and vomiting. To help limit them, you can eat frequent, sparse meals, avoiding fried foods and fatty or strong-smelling foods.

The effectiveness of the treatment is maximum if you strictly respect the doses and methods of taking it.

Imatinib (Gleevec) Price

This explains the very significant Imatinib price differences seen from one country to another and also helps to understand why, without improving real benefits, Imatinib (Gleevec) has seen its price increase from $30,000 to $30,000 in the United States over fifteen years. Why is it increased to $90,000 per month? After the patent expired, the price of Imatinib has fallen by 50-60%. The Chronic Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CP-CML) Treatment Study quantified the potential future cost-effectiveness of a treatment strategy with Imatinib when the US patent for Imatinib expired later in 2016. There is generic version available in Indian market such as Veenat 400mg, Veenat 100mg. Patient can avail very good discount on monthly cost. 

Source URL - https://imatinibcost.blogspot.com/2024/05/impact-of-imatinib-gleevec-in-lives-of.html

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Created on May 17th 2024 06:54. Viewed 63 times.

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