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Are there any interactions with Gleevec?

Gleevec (generic name imatinib) is a new anti-cancer drug recently approved by the FDA to treat patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). CML is an abnormal growth of white blood cells.

Some drugs can increase the amount of Gleevec in your blood and increase your risk for side effects such as nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, rash, diarrhea, and fluid retention. These medicines include Nizoral (ketoconazole), Sporanox (itraconazole), E-mycin or Ery-tab (erythromycin), and Biaxin (clarithromycin).

Other drugs such as Dilantin (phenytoin), dexamethasone, Tegretol (carbamazepine), Rifadin (rifampin), phenobarbital and the herb St. John’s Wort can decrease the amount of Gleevec in your blood. This may reduce the effectiveness of Gleevec.

Gleevec can increase the amount of certain drugs in the blood. Medicines include certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors such as Zocor (simvastatin).

Gleevec can also interact with other medicines including Coumadin (warfarin). It is important to give your pharmacist and doctor a complete list of your medicines, including herbs and over-the-counter medicines, to review for possible interactions. Women of childbearing age should avoid becoming pregnant while taking Gleevec.

Sources:
“Oncology.” Pharmacist’s Letter. 17 (6). Pharmacists Letter Inc., 2001.
Drug Interaction Facts and Comparisons. Facts and & Comparisons, 2006.
Gleevec Product Information. Novartis, Pharmaceuticals Corporation 2006.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, Inc., 2006.

This answer prepared 7/2/2001.
This information updated 1/23/2007.

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