Side Effects

Almost every person taking therapy for CML can anticipate that they will experience side effects to one degree or another. For some, these side effects are barely noticeable while for others they can be quite difficult. With that in mind, here are some recommendations for dealing with them.

  1. Know your body. All of us know when things just "aren't right". Keep track of anything that seems out of the "ordinary" and make your care team aware of these things.
  2. If you begin to experience side effects, have you introduced anything different into your daily routine, or treatment regimen? Again, make your care team aware of any changes.
  3. If you discover something that "works" for you in relieving side effects, share that with your physician to ensure that it will not affect the efficacy of the therapy or cause danger.

When side effects are problematic, don't try to abate them by skipping or decreasing a dose. Rather talk with your physician to discuss if there are alternate therapies that might be more tolerable.

The links below will take you to information on side effects as reported for each of the primary therapy options; Gleevec, Sprycel, and Tasigna.

Gleevec - Potential Side Effects and Important Safety Information

Possible side effects

What it feels like

How your doctor may manage it

Swelling and fluid retention

Swollen legs or feet and swelling around the eyes. Fluid retention can appear as quick weight gain or swelling in your lower legs or other parts of your body. Fluid retention can be serious or even life-threatening
  • Regular check-ups to monitor your weight
  • Prescribe a topical steroid cream to reduce the swelling around your eyes
  • Tell you to limit your salt intake
  • Prescribe a diuretic (a medicine to help your body get rid of extra fluids)

Rash

Scaly skin; red itchy bumps on skin
  • Recommend an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine
  • Prescribe a corticosteroid or stronger antihistamine

Nausea and vomiting

Feeling queasy or like you have to throw up

You may also feel like you have indigestion
  • Recommend taking GLEEVEC with a meal and a large glass of water (If you have been instructed not to take GLEEVEC with meals, contact your doctor before changing your dose to mealtimes)
  • Recommend OTC medications
  • If you are taking your GLEEVEC once a day, talk to your doctor about possibly dividing the dose in half and taking it twice a day

Muscle cramps

Pain or spasms in the legs, feet, or calves
  • Recommend an OTC pain reliever, like ibuprofen
  • Recommend a prescription pain reliever
  • Recommend calcium and magnesium supplements

Muscle and bone pain

Whole-body ache; twitching or burning muscles
  • Recommend an OTC pain reliever, like ibuprofen
  • Recommend a prescription pain reliever

Diarrhea

More bowel movements; loose stools
  • Recommend an OTC medication

 

Sprycel - Possible Side Effects and Helpful Tips

Tasigna - Patient Prescribing Information and Side Effect Listing

 

We are continuing to add to this list. Thank you for your patience.