Novartis Gleevec

Description

Active Ingredient: Active ingredient in this medicine is Imatinib Mesylate. This active component belongs to a class of drugs known as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It shows an antineoplastic activity. It works by binding to the intracellular pocket present within tyrosine kinases (TK) so as to inhibit ATP binding and preventing phosphorylation and the subsequent activation of growth receptors and their downstream signal transduction pathways. It inhibits the bcr-abl TK that leads to a reduction in proliferation and enhanced apoptosis in malignant cells of Philadelphia-positive hematological malignancies like CML and ALL.

Indications: Given medication is approved for the treatment of certain types of cancer like acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases. Gleevec is a chemotherapy drug that acts by slowing or restricting the growth of cancer cells.

Action Mechanism: This medication is composed of active ingredient Imatinib, which is a type of cancer growth blocker called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Tyrosine kinases are a type of protein, which is responsible to signal to each other to grow. They act as chemical messengers. Blocking of these proteins restricts the cancer cells from growing. Gleevec targets different tyrosine kinases, depending on the type of cancer.

Dosages: This cancer-treating medication is available in dosages as mentioned below:

• 100 mg: This conventional tablet must be taken with a meal and a full glass of water as advised by the doctor, usually once or twice daily
• 400 mg: It should be administered once or twice with a glass of water as prescribed by the doctor

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while consuming this medicine; it may increase the chance of side effects.