Imatinib Mesylate is a medicinal drug used as the active component in medicines to treat cancer. This active ingredient is an antineoplastic agent that inhibits the Bcr-Abl fusion protein tyrosine kinase. It is an abnormal enzyme made by chronic myeloid leukemia cells that contain the Philadelphia chromosome. This medicine also stops the receptor tyrosine kinases for growth factor and stem cell factor. It works by inhibition of proliferation and induces apoptosis in cells that over affected by cancer cells. Imatinib is a Kinase Inhibitor. Chemically, it is a Protein Kinase Inhibitor used in the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.  Treatment by this medicine is transient elevations in serum aminotransferase levels.

Class of Drugs – A Protein Kinase Inhibitor

Molecular Formula – C₂₉H₃₁N₇O

Molecular Weight – 493.6 g/mol

Working: This medicine is an antineoplastic agent act by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Due to the inhibition of the growth of cancer cells in the body, the condition is controlled.

Uses: This medication is a chemotherapy drug approved for the treatment of certain types of cancer like acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases. It can be used adult and pediatric people diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase. Imatinib Mesylate is used in the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors that are C-kit positive.

Popular Brands and Dosages: This medication Imatinib Mesylate is a protein kinase inhibitor used in popular brand medicine as given below:

• Gleevec: 100 mg and 400 mg

Dob not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while consuming this drug. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine.