Gleevec can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).
Gleevec may increase the risk of liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Gleevec may increase the risk of fluid retention or heart problems. Tell your doctor if you have swelling or rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse, or fainting.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Gleevec if you are allergic to imatinib.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
liver disease (especially hepatitis B);
kidney disease;
underactive thyroid, recent or upcoming thyroid surgery;
heart disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure;
a stomach ulcer or bleeding;
diabetes; or
chemotherapy.
You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.
Do not use Gleevec if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 14 days after your last dose.
Do not breast-feed a baby while you are using Gleevec and for at least 1 month after your last dose.
