Altanib Nova Tablet

Composition Imatinib mesylate (400mg)
Rx Prescription Required
Pack strip of 10 tablets
Storage Store below 30°C
Chemical Class Benzanilides Derivative
Action Class Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Habbit Forming No
Manufacturer Alkem Laboratories Ltd
Manufacturer address Alkem Laboratories Limited, Devashish Building, Alkem House, Senapati Bapat Road, Lower Parel, Mumbai – 400 013.

Altanib Nova Tablet should be taken with food, but better to have it same time every day to get the most benefit. You should continue to take it as long as your doctor advises for it. The duration of treatment varies according to your need and response to treatment. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.

The most common side effects of this medicine include edema, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, rash, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Let your doctor know if you experience unexpected rapid weight gain. Your doctor may advise for regular monitoring of blood cells and liver function while you are taking this medicine. Do not drive or do anything requiring mental focus if you experience dizziness and blurry vision.

Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.

Blood cancer (Chronic myeloid leukaemia)
Blood cancer (Acute lymphocytic leukemia)
Gastrointestinal stromal tumour

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Altanib Nova Tablet is to be taken with food.

Altanib Nova Tablet is an anti-cancer medication. A protein enzyme, bcr-abl tyrosine kinase, responsible for the growth of abnormal proliferation of cancer cells. This medicine inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis (planned cell death) in bcr-abl positive cells (cancer cells). This is how it works to stop or slow the spread of cancer.

If you miss a dose of Altanib Nova Tablet, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.

Always take it with food and a full glass of water to prevent nausea.

It may cause dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.

Water retention and swelling are very common side effects of Altanib Nova Tablet. Notify your doctor if you have unexpected rapid weight gain.

Do not change the dose or discontinue use without consulting your doctor.

Notify your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including over the counter medicines and dietary supplements.

Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to monitor your liver function and the number of blood cells in your blood.

Q. Can Altanib Nova Tablet be taken with food?

Yes, the best way to take it is with a glass of water and food. This prevents irritation in the food pipe and stomach. If you cannot swallow it, put the tablets in a glass of water or apple juice (approximately 50 ml for a 100 mg tablet and 200 ml for a 400 mg tablet). Stir it with a spoon to make it uniform and drink it immediately.

Q. Is it safe to drive while taking Altanib Nova Tablet?

Altanib Nova Tablet may cause dizziness, lightheadedness or drowsiness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to it before you drive a car or operate machinery.

Q. What precautions need to be followed while taking Altanib Nova Tablet?

While taking Altanib Nova Tablet, make sure you follow all the instructions given by your doctor, carefully and keep all appointments. You will need regular follow-up to ensure that the treatment is working. Regular blood tests, weight checks, and urine tests may be required to find out any side effects before it becomes serious. Make sure you use a method of contraception to prevent pregnancy during treatment with Altanib Nova Tablet. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while you are taking this medicine. If you are about to start taking any new medicine, remind your doctor that you are taking Altanib Nova Tablet.

Q. Ever since I started using Altanib Nova Tablet, I have noticed that I develop rashes and severe itching when I have sun exposure. Is it because of the medicine or the disease?

This medicine may make your skin much more sensitive to sunlight than it normally is. Exposure to sunlight may cause skin rash, itching, redness or severe sunburn. When you are outdoors, wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. If you feel a burning sensation on your skin, tell your doctor.

Q. The doctor has advised me not to take any medicine on my own while taking Altanib Nova Tablet. Should I consult my doctor even if I need to take paracetamol for my fever?

Yes, there are a number of medicines which interfere with Altanib Nova Tablet, including paracetamol. Therefore you should not self medicate while taking Altanib Nova Tablet. Other medicines which interfere with Altanib Nova Tablet include cyclosporin, dexamethasone (a steroid), warfarin, antiviral medicines which treat AIDS and some medicines which treat bacterial infections, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart problems, and mental disorders and depression. Consult your doctor before taking any medicine, and inform him that you are on Altanib Nova Tablet therapy.

Q. What precautions need to be followed while taking Altanib Nova Tablet?

While taking Altanib Nova Tablet, make sure you follow all the instructions given by your doctor, carefully and keep all appointments. You will need regular follow-up to ensure that the treatment is working. Regular blood tests, weight checks, and urine tests may be required to find out any side effects before it becomes serious. Make sure you use a method of contraception to prevent pregnancy during treatment with Altanib Nova Tablet. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while you are taking this medicine. If you are about to start taking any new medicine, remind your doctor that you are taking Altanib Nova Tablet.

Q. Can I expect that if I take Altanib Nova Tablet regularly and as advised by the doctor for CML, I will be cured?

Altanib Nova Tablet has proved effective in many cases of CML. It is also noticed that the chances of survival increase after taking this medicine. The doctor who is treating CML can tell you better. The doctor will analyze your current state, blood test results, response to treatment, any other medical illness which you may be having, etc. and tell you.

In Blood cancer (Chronic myeloid leukaemia)

Blood cancer, also called leukemia, is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues, that decreases the body’s ability to fight infection. Altanib Nova Tablet kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. It is a potent and very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

In Blood cancer (Acute lymphocytic leukemia)

Blood cancer, also called leukemia, is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues, that decreases the body’s ability to fight infection. Altanib Nova Tablet kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. It is a potent and very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

In Gastrointestinal stromal tumour

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a type of tumor that occurs most commonly in the stomach or small intestine. The tumors develop into the specialized cells called interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs). Altanib Nova Tablet helps to kill the cancer cells and also stops their further growth and spread. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get the most benefit.show moreshow less

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Abdominal pain

Fatigue

Rash

Diarrhea

Musculoskeletal (bone, muscle or joint) pain

Muscle cramp

Vomiting

Nausea

Edema (swelling)

Alcohol:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Altanib Nova Tablet. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Altanib Nova Tablet is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Altanib Nova Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.Lactating women should not breastfeed while using this drug and one month after stopping it.

Driving:UNSAFE

Altanib Nova Tablet may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.

Kidney:CAUTION

Altanib Nova Tablet should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Altanib Nova Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Liver:CAUTION

Altanib Nova Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe liver disease. Dose adjustment of Altanib Nova Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Chabner BA, Barnes J, Neal J, et al. Targeted Therapies: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, Monoclonal Antibodies, and Cytokines. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1732-34.

Chu E, Sartorelli AC. Cancer Chemotherapy. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 953.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 692-94.

Imatinib mesylate. East Hanover, New Jersey: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; 2001 . view

Drugs and Lactation Database. Bethesda : National Library of Medicine ; 2006. Imatinib. . view

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