Drug Formulary information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be medical advice. Some of the information, including information about funding for cancer drugs, does not apply to all patients. Cancer treatment plans are unique to each patient. If you are a patient, please speak with your healthcare team to understand how this information applies to you.
IMAT
Regimen is considered appropriate as part of the standard care of patients; meaningfully improves outcomes (survival, quality of life), tolerability or costs compared to alternatives (recommended by the Disease Site Team and national consensus body e.g. pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, pCODR). Recommendation is based on an appropriately conducted phase III clinical trial relevant to the Canadian context OR (where phase III trials are not feasible) an appropriately sized phase II trial. Regimens where one or more drugs are not approved by Health Canada for any indication will be identified under Rationale and Use.
- Adult patients with newly diagnosed, Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) CML in chronic phase
- Adult patients with Ph+ CML in blast crisis, accelerated phase or chronic phase after failure of interferon-alpha therapy
iMAtinib
ODB - General Benefit
(iMAtinib - Refer to listed Health Canada indications for generic imatinib formulations. Patients must meet generic substitution policies for access to Gleevec.)
(ODB Formulary)
Minimal – No routine prophylaxis; PRN recommended
Other Supportive Care:
- Patients at risk of tumour lysis syndrome should have appropriate prophylaxis and be monitored closely.
- Patients should be tested for HBV infection prior to initiating treatment (or if on treatment and not previously tested). Carriers of HBV must be monitored for signs and symptoms of active HBV infection throughout therapy and for several months following termination of therapy.
Also refer to CCO Antiemetic Recommendations.
Doses should be modified according to the protocol by which the patient is being treated. The following recommendations have been adapted from clinical trials or product monographs and could be considered.
Dose levels are 200mg, 300mg, 400mg, 600mg, and 800mg.
Dosage with toxicity
| Toxicity | Action |
| Fluid retention (grade 3,4 ) | Hold until ≤ grade 1; resume with 1 dose level ↓ |
| Rash (grade 3, 4) | Hold until ≤ grade 1; resume with 1 dose level ↓ or discontinue |
| Hypotension / Hypersensitivity reaction | Hold, treat supportively, consider steroids |
|
Bleeding |
Hold; consider discontinuing if severe |
| Pneumonitis | Hold, investigate, consider discontinuing if confirmed |
| DRESS | Consider discontinuing |
Dosage with myelosuppression:
|
|
ANC (x 109/L) |
Platelets (x 109/L) |
Action |
|
Accelerated, blast crisis CML |
< 0.5 |
<10 |
|
|
Starting dose 400 mg |
< 1 |
< 50 |
|
Hepatic Impairment
Imatinib is excreted via the liver and increased exposure is likely in the presence of hepatic impairment. See dosage table.
Renal Impairment
Imatinib is not excreted via the kidney to a significant extent; however, increased exposure and adverse effects are correlated with renal impairment. Exercise caution in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. See dosage table.
Dosage in the Elderly
There is no evidence of an increase in toxicity in patients older than 65 years compared to younger patients.
Refer to imatinib drug monograph(s) for additional details of adverse effects
|
Very common (≥ 50%) |
Common (25-49%) |
Less common (10-24%) |
Uncommon (< 10%), but may be severe or life-threatening |
|
|
|
|
Refer to imatinib drug monograph(s) for additional details
- Imatinib is mainly metabolized by CYP3A4. Inhibitors and inducers of CYP3A4 may affect imatinib exposure, and should be used with caution.
- Imatinib inhibits CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 and may affect the concentration of substrates of these enzymes. Caution if used with drugs with a narrow therapeutic index.
- Imatinib inhibits CYP2C9 at high doses, and may affect the concentration of CYP2C9 substrates (e.g. warfarin). Caution and monitor closely.
- Imatinib can increase the risk of bleeding when used with antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants through an additive effect. Avoid if possible, or monitor closely.
- Imatinib inhibits o-glucuronidation of acetaminophen and can increase acetaminophen exposure, increasing risk of hepatotoxicity (fatal case reported). Caution, and monitor LFTs.
Refer to imatinib drug monograph(s) for additional details
Administration:
- Should be administered orally with meal(s) and a large glass of water to reduce gastric irritation.
- Doses < 800mg should be given once daily; total daily doses of 800mg should be given as 400mg twice daily to reduce exposure to iron.
- If a dose is missed, the patient should not take the missed dose, but take the next prescribed dose.
- If unable to swallow, may be dispersed in water or apple juice (use 50 mL for 100 mg tablet, and 200 mL for a 400 mg tablet) immediately before drinking this mixture. Then, rinse the container with water or apple juice and drink this, to ensure no trace of the tablet is left.
- Avoid grapefruit, starfruit, Seville oranges, their juices or products during treatment.
Contraindications:
- Patients with hypersensitivity to imatinib or to any other components of this product
Other Warnings/Precautions:
- Consultation with a liver disease expert is recommended prior to starting imatinib in chronic HBV carriers (including those with active disease), and for patients who test positive for HBV infection while on treatment
- Imatinib results in serious fluid retention in 6% of patients, especially with higher doses. Patients should be weighed and monitored regularly. Patients with pre-existing cardiac disease, risk factors for cardiac failure or the elderly should be monitored carefully and be treated appropriately.
- Bleeding, including GI, CNS and intra-tumoural, have been reported in patients with GIST; concomitant use of warfarin or antiplatelet agents should be avoided. Consider the use of LMWH rather than warfarin if anticoagulation is mandatory.
- Exercise caution if drugs that may increase bleeding (e.g. anticoagulants, antiplatelets or prostacyclins) must be used.
Pregnancy and Lactation:
- Imatinib is contraindicated during pregnancy. Spontaneous abortions have been reported in women who have taken imatinib. Highly effective contraception (failure rate < 1%) is recommended for both sexes during treatment, and for at least 6 months (general recommendation) after imatinib cessation.
- Women of childbearing potential should have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test (with a sensitivity of at least 25 mIU/ml) within one week before starting therapy.
- Breastfeeding is not recommended. Imatinib and/or its metabolites are excreted in human milk.
- Fertility may be affected in males.
Treating physicians may decide to monitor more or less frequently for individual patients but should always consider recommendations from the product monograph.
Recommended Clinical Monitoring
- Brain imaging for patients suspected of having subdural hemorrhage; as clinically indicated
- CBC; weekly for first month, biweekly for second month, and as indicated thereafter (e.g. every 2 to 3 months)
- Electrolytes, serum creatinine and creatinine clearance; baseline and monthly or as clinically indicated
- INR for patients taking warfarin, especially when starting treatment and with imatinib dose adjustments; baseline and regular
- Liver function tests; baseline and monthly or as clinically indicated
- LVEF, in patients with known underlying heart disease or in elderly patients; baseline and as clinically indicated
- Platelet counts and prothrombin time when imatinib is used concurrently with anticoagulants, prostacyclins, or other medications that increase bleeding risk; baseline and periodic
- TSH levels in patients with previous thyroidectomy or patients on replacement therapy; baseline and regular
- Serum or urine pregnancy test in women of childbearing potential; within one week before starting treatment
- HBV infection status: Prior to starting treatment (or while on treatment if not previously tested); consult infectious disease if positive
- For carriers of HBV: signs and symptoms of active HBV infection; At each visit during treatment and for several months after treatment discontinues
- Clinical assessment of fluid retention (including weight monitoring), bleeding, infection, cardiac effects, thromboembolism, rhabdomyolysis, tumour lysis syndrome and gastrointestinal effects, pneumonitis, rash; at each visit
-
Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version
Suggested Clinical Monitoring
- EKG and troponin in patients with hypereosinophilia and cardiac involvement
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BCR-ABL Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors [GLEEVEC (imatinib mesylate), TASIGNA (nilotinib), BOSULIF (bosutinib), SPRYCEL (dasatinib), ICLUSIG (ponatinib hydrochloride)] - Risk of Hepatitis B Reactivation. Health Canada, May 4, 2016. [Accessed May 13, 2016]. Available from: http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2016/58222a-eng.php
Druker BJ, Sawyers CL, Kantarjian H, et al. Activity of a specific inhibitor of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase in the blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia with a Philadelphia chromosome. NEJM 2001;344 (14):1038-42.
Druker BJ, Sawyers CL, Kantarjian H, et al. Efficacy and safety of a specific inhibitor of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase in chronic myeloid leukemia. NEJM 2001;344(14):1031-7.
Imatinib drug monograph, Cancer Care Ontario.
O’Brien SG, Guilhot F, Larson RA, et al. Imatinib compared with interferon and low-dose cytarabine for newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia. NEJM 2003;348 (11):994-1004.
April 2024 Modified Supplementary Public Funding section
Regimen Abstracts
A Regimen Abstract is an abbreviated version of a Regimen Monograph and contains only top level information on usage, dosing, schedule, cycle length and special notes (if available). It is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice, and all uses of the Regimen Abstract are subject to clinical judgment. Such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability, and Cancer Care Ontario disclaims all liability for the use of this information, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits that arise from such use.
Information in regimen abstracts is accurate to the extent of the ST-QBP regimen master listings, and has not undergone the full review process of a regimen monograph. Full regimen monographs will be published for each ST-QBP regimen as they are developed.
Regimen Monographs
Refer to the New Drug Funding Program or Ontario Public Drug Programs websites for the most up-to-date public funding information.
The information set out in the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information (for health professionals) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects of a particular drug, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition. The information in the Formulary is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.
The format and content of the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information contained in the Formulary will change as they are reviewed and revised on a periodic basis. The date of last revision will be visible on each page of the monograph and regimen. Since standards of usage are constantly evolving, it is advised that the Formulary not be used as the sole source of information. It is strongly recommended that original references or product monograph be consulted prior to using a chemotherapy regimen for the first time.
Some Formulary documents, such as the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets and symptom management information (for patients), are intended for patients. Patients should always consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions regarding any information set out in the Formulary documents.
While care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in the Formulary, such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability.
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