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Nausea an Imatinib

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Hello

I am a newbie and was only diagnosed in the past few weeks. I have found this site great for information and hearing from others - thank you so much.

I have a quick question, does anyone know if it’s common to get nausea after taking the imatinib dose? I feel like I’ve got a hangover about 30 minutes after taking it every morning and it lasts for hours. Any suggestions on things that might help would be greatly appreciated - I realise it may just be initial effects and I’m hoping it will settle down with time.

Gordon 

After all these years, I'm still astounded that doctors start their CML patients down the road with so little information.  Yes, yes, yes, nausea is almost a signature side effect for imatinib.  Everyone has a favorite coping mechanism, but the main gist is:  don't ever take it on an empty stomach.  Some say a lot of water is a bad idea, as well.  Some say eat something small like crackers with it, and then eat a meal an hour later.  Whatever.  Also, it may or may not get better.  It may take days, weeks, months.  Even years.  Some people never lose the nausea, they just learn to work around it.  One good thing to give you hope, though:  it is usually very effective, and it has proven longterm to be the safest (in terms of adverse events or high-grade side effects) of all the TKIs.  When your PCR warrants it, you will be able to reduce dosage and the side effects usually get much better. 

The nausea is different for everyone but I’ve found now that I’m six years in with imatinib that when I take it about an hour (no more than that) after eating I feel much better than taking it with my meal.  If I try and take it too soon it feels like I’m on the rough seas wink.  I’m assuming it’s simply because the food has had a chance to settle in my digestive system so the gleevec isn’t hitting an empty stomach.  Someone else may be different but maybe give this a try!  

Yes, very common.

Many of us take it at night before bedtime so that we are alseep if and when nausea comes.

Náusea is much more common for me if i take it on an empty stomach or without having eaten much that day. Taking it after a carb heavy meal is helpful for me.
I also find lying down and eating a square of dark chocolate helpful if i do get it. It usually passes in 30 mins, the nasea and its helpful to not 'fight' the nasea or worry about it. You'll will not be ill its just a reaction to the medication, same as when as mosquito bites you have an itch and it passes.

Imatanib is a salt compound so it helpful to drink at least 2lb water throughout your day, every day. That will help with hangovery feeling. And finally, it gets better as your body adjusts to taking it.

Thank you so much everyone - this is very reassuring and some great ideas to try. Thank you.

I only get nauseated when I eat before take pill. I find taking on empty stomach is better for me. I asked the Dr if that was ok, and he said whatever works. I have been on Imatinib for 5 months I was diagnosed in November. 
 

Hi I agree with everyone that you need to find a routine which works for you. The first criterion is that you do it at a time when you are going to remember to take the meds - the main factor likely to cause TKI failure is not taking the pills every day. For me that means I take it after breakfast (normally tea, orange juice and wholemeal toast). The pills live beside my toothbrush; I always brush my teeth after breakfast and take the pill at the same time. I started trying to do it in the evening but there is less routine then, especially at weekends and if I am travelling.

I occasionally get a little gastric disturbance about 30 minutes after I take it - another cup of tea and a small biscuit usually calms that down.