{"id":353277,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:47","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/gleevec.html"},"modified":"2024-01-26T12:02:54","modified_gmt":"2024-01-26T17:02:54","slug":"gleevec","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/gleevec.html","title":{"rendered":"Gleevec Overview: Uses and Risks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Gleevec Overview: Uses and Risks<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) is a prescription medication approved by the FDA to treat several cancers. While effective, it can cause side effects such as nausea, fluid retention, and lowered blood cell counts, which may increase the risk of infection or bleeding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) is the brand name for a prescription drug that doctors use to treat some cancers. Gleevec prevents cancer cells from growing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved\u00a0Gleevec<\/a>\u00a0in 2001 when Novartis submitted it for review.<\/p>\n

Two types of cancers Gleevec treats are chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.<\/p>\n

This article discusses the side effects of Gleevec. It also explains what factors to consider when deciding whether to take Gleevec.<\/p>\n

If you have experienced significant health issues after using Gleevac, first talk to your doctor. Then, reach out to a product liability attorney<\/a> near you to understand your legal rights and options.<\/p>\n

Conditions Gleevec Treats<\/h2>\n

Oncologists and physicians prescribe Gleevec to patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).<\/p>\n

CML is a disease where the body makes too many abnormal white blood cells. As a result, people with CML get sick more often and feel weak and tired much of the time. Gleevec helps the body stop making these abnormal white blood cells.<\/p>\n

GIST is a group of cancer cells growing in the stomach, intestines, or rectum walls. Gleevec helps the body stop making these abnormal cells.<\/p>\n

Gleevec targets specific proteins in your body that help cancer cells grow. These proteins are tyrosine kinases or Bcr-Abl proteins. By preventing these proteins from assisting the growth of cancer cells, Gleevec can help prevent the spread of invasive cancers.<\/p>\n

In 2006, the\u00a0FDA approved<\/a>\u00a0the use of Gleevec for other diseases. These include specific cancers and blood diseases that respond to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.<\/p>\n

These new uses include:<\/p>\n