Gleevec® (imatinib) Tablets for CML, GIST, and Other Cancers

What Gleevec® Is and How It Works

Gleevec® (imatinib) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat several cancers. It targets BCR-ABL in Philadelphia chromosome–positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and certain kinases such as KIT (CD117) and PDGFR in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and other rare tumors. This gleevec medication is supplied as a gleevec tablet taken by mouth, most often once daily with food. Many people ask about gleevec cost or gleevec price, and generic options help make therapy more accessible.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy based in Manitoba that meets Canadian pharmacy standards. Licensed pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing, and you can order online or by phone with friendly customer-service chat during posted hours. We also carry over-the-counter health products at Canadian prices.

We work with licensed, vetted partner pharmacies abroad to source authentic brands and a broad selection at affordable pricing. Gleevec® is used for CML in adults and children, adjuvant and metastatic GIST, Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases with PDGFR rearrangements, hypereosinophilic syndrome/chronic eosinophilic leukemia, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Typical dosing is once or twice daily depending on the indication, using strengths such as 100 mg and 400 mg.

Dosage and Usage

Imatinib dosing depends on the condition, disease phase, and body weight in pediatrics. Tablets are taken with a meal and a large glass of water to limit stomach upset. Many patients receive 400 mg to 800 mg daily for CML or GIST, given once daily or split into two doses.

• Take at the same time each day, with food and water.
• Swallow tablets whole. If needed, disperse a tablet in water or apple juice and drink immediately.
• Wear disposable gloves if handling broken tablets. Wash hands after handling.
• If a dose is missed, take it when remembered unless close to the next dose. Do not double up.
• Keep a medication list and ask a pharmacist to check for interactions before starting new drugs.

Storage and travel tips:

• Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F) in a dry place, in the original container.
• Keep away from children and pets.
• When traveling, keep tablets in carry-on luggage with the prescription label.
• Avoid heat and moisture. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Plan refills early. You can set reorder reminders in your account.

Benefits and Savings

Gleevec® produces rapid hematologic responses in CML and improves event-free survival. It also reduces the risk of GIST recurrence after surgery and shrinks metastatic GIST in many patients. Once-daily dosing and oral administration support adherence. A wide body of data supports durable responses with long-term use.

Choosing generic imatinib can lower the gleevec cost per month and gleevec cost per year. Many patients achieve 60–80% savings versus typical US prices when purchasing at Canadian prices. The gleevec generic is therapeutically equivalent to brand. Strength and quantity influence the gleevec 400mg cost and the broader gleevec medicine price.

YouDrugstore offers brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices, with US shipping and helpful support. Multi-month supplies may reduce the per-month cost, and reorder reminders help prevent gaps in therapy.

Side Effects and Safety

Common effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, heartburn, muscle cramps, joint pain, headache, rash, fatigue, insomnia, and periorbital or peripheral edema. Mild fluid retention and weight gain can occur. These often improve with continued use or supportive care.

Serious risks include myelosuppression (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia), infections, bleeding, hepatic toxicity or liver failure, severe edema or pleural effusions, congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, and tumor lysis syndrome in high-tumor-burden states. Gastrointestinal bleeding may occur in GIST. There is a risk of reactivation of hepatitis B in carriers. Growth and development require monitoring in pediatric patients.

Drug interactions are important. Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ketoconazole, clarithromycin) can raise imatinib levels. Strong CYP3A4 inducers (such as rifampin, phenytoin, St. John’s wort) can lower levels and reduce efficacy. Warfarin interactions can increase bleeding risk. Limit grapefruit juice because it may affect metabolism.

Imatinib can harm a fetus. Effective contraception is recommended during treatment and for a period after stopping. Breastfeeding is not advised while taking this medicine. Dose adjustments may be needed in hepatic impairment. Regular blood counts and liver tests are recommended during therapy. Care teams may modify therapy based on response and tolerability.

Onset Time

Hematologic responses in CML often appear within weeks. Cytogenetic responses typically develop over months, with major molecular responses taking longer. In GIST, symptom improvement can start within weeks, and tumor shrinkage is often seen within one to three months on imaging. Individual timelines vary with disease burden and dosage.

Compare With Alternatives

Other BCR-ABL inhibitors are options for CML, including nilotinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, and ponatinib. These agents differ in potency, mutation coverage, and safety profiles. Some may be chosen for resistance mutations or intolerance. Each has unique risks, such as QT prolongation with nilotinib or pleural effusions with dasatinib.

For GIST after progression on imatinib, sunitinib and regorafenib are standard later-line options. Ripretinib is an option after multiple prior therapies. Avapritinib may be used for PDGFRA D842V-mutant GIST. Selection depends on mutation status, prior responses, and tolerability.

Targeted therapies also treat other blood cancers, though they are not direct alternatives to Gleevec®. For example, Xospata® is used in certain FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia. In solid tumors, hormonal or immune therapies are used instead of BCR-ABL inhibitors; for prostate cancer, Zytiga® may be prescribed within that disease setting.

Combination Therapy

Imatinib is often used alone for CML. In Ph+ ALL, it is combined with multi-agent chemotherapy and steroids, and may be used around stem cell transplantation per protocol. In GIST, it can be used as neoadjuvant therapy to shrink tumors or adjuvant therapy after surgery. Supportive medications for nausea, acid control, and infection prevention are commonly used when appropriate.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Gleevec® is used for Ph+ CML in chronic, accelerated, or blast phase, selected cases of Ph+ ALL, adjuvant and metastatic KIT-positive GIST, PDGFR-associated MDS/MPD, hypereosinophilic syndromes, and DFSP. Suitability depends on mutation status, organ function, potential interactions, pregnancy plans, and prior treatment history. The branded name in some regions is Glivec; patients may also search for glivec price or glivec 400 price.

Ways to manage costs:

• Consider generic imatinib if clinically suitable; it offers significant savings.
• Compare imatinib 400mg price versus multiple 100 mg tablets, as pack sizes affect cost.
• Choose a 90-day supply when feasible to lower the gleevec cost per month.
• Use account tools for reorder reminders so you never run out.
• Review imatinib generic cost against brand when planning long-term therapy.

For current promotions and bulk options, see our gleevec discount page. For broad cancer information, visit the Cancer category. To learn more about managing oncology side effects, you may find Common Darzalex Side Effects And Tips To Manage Them helpful. Readers interested in targeted therapy mechanisms can also review Darzalex Mechanism Of Action How It Treats Multiple Myeloma and Understanding Calquence Medication For Cancer Treatment.

Authoritative Sources

Novartis Gleevec product information

Health Canada Product Monograph for imatinib

FDA Prescribing Information for Gleevec

YouDrugstore offers brand Gleevec® and generic imatinib at Canadian prices, reviewed by licensed pharmacists before shipping. Order online, and our team will support your needs from checkout to delivery. We provide prompt, express, cold-chain shipping where required.

This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about diagnosis, treatment choices, and dosing. Product availability depends on your prescription and jurisdiction.