Gleevec contain Imatinib is used to treat certain types of leukemia (cancer that begins in the white blood cells) and other cancers of the blood cells .It is also used in the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST; a type of tumor that grows in the walls of the digestive passages and may spread to other parts of the body). This product is also used to treat dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (a tumor that forms under the top layer of skin) when the tumor cannot be removed surgically, has spread to other parts of the body, or has come back after surgery. Imatinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps stop the spread of cancer cells. Gleevec is a targeted therapy. It is classified as a signal transduction inhibitor - protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Indications:
• Newly diagnosed adult and pediatric patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase.
• Ph+ CML in blast crisis, accelerated phase, or chronic phase after failure of interferon-alpha therapy.
• Adult patients with relapsed or refractory Philadelphia chromosome + acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL).
• Adult patients with myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases (MDS/MPD) associated with PDGFR gene rearrangements.
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumors that are C-kit positive.

Dosage:
• Gleevec is a pill, taken by mouth, once or twice daily.
• It should be taken with a large glass of water, after a meal.
• The quantity of Gleevec that you will receive depends on many factors, including your general health or other health problems, and the type of cancer or condition being treated. Your doctor will determine your dose and schedule.

Side effects:
Important things to remember about the side effects of this drug is:
• Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed.
• Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
• Side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
• There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects.
• There is no relationship between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of the medication.
• The side effects of Gleevec and their severity depend on how much of the drug is given. In other words, high doses may produce more severe side effects.

Advantages:

One advantage of is that it can be given by mouth instead of by injection. A second advantage is that Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
(CML) seems to respond relatively quickly (within one to three months) to the drug. This response can be measured by tests that show that the blood count returns to a normal range or tests that measure cancer cells in the bone marrow. It is hoped that Gleevec has fewer serious side effects than other cancer drugs.

author bio :

Hi friends, this is Richard MacLeod from UK. I am completed P.HD in Pharmacy. Now working in onlinepillmart.com as medical adviser. Also i write blog on Men's and women’s health also other health related disease; like Buy Lamotrigine online  Australia , Xenical, Gleevec  review online Australia  , Mifeprex, etc.  For more please visit : http://onlinepillmart.com/