Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).
Call your doctor at once if you have:
fluid retention--shortness of breath (even while lying down), swelling, rapid weight gain;
kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles;
fluid build-up in the lungs--pain when you breathe, wheezing, gasping for breath, cough with foamy mucus;
liver problems--upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
low blood cell counts--fever, cold or flu symptoms, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, mouth sores, pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed, cold hands and feet;
signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
signs of tumor cell breakdown--confusion, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, fast or slow heart rate, decreased urination, tingling in your hands and feet or around your mouth; or
thyroid symptoms--tiredness, dry skin, hair loss, constipation, depression, slow heart rate, weight gain, feeling more sensitive to cold temperatures.
Imatinib can affect growth in children and teenagers. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.
Common side effects may include:
fluid retention;
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;
joint or muscle pain;
skin rash; or
feeling tired.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
 Imatinib side effects (more detail)
