Imatinib

Therapy should be initiated by a physician experienced in the treatment of haematological malignancies and malignant sarcomas. Dose is indication-specific. Adult CML: 400 mg/day chronic phase; 600 mg/day accelerated phase; 600 mg/day blast crisis. Dose increases from 400 mg to 600 mg or 800 mg (chronic phase), or from 600 mg to a maximum of 800 mg (accelerated phase/blast crisis) may be considered in the absence of severe adverse drug reaction and severe non-leukaemia-related neutropenia or thrombocytopenia (e.g. disease progression, inadequate haematological response after >=3 months, no cytogenetic response after 12 months, or loss of previous response). Adult Ph+ ALL: 600 mg/day. Adult MDS/MPD: 400 mg/day. Adult HES/CEL: 100 mg/day (increase from 100 mg to 400 mg may be considered if insufficient response). Adult GIST (unresectable and/or metastatic): 400 mg/day (limited data on increases to 600 mg or 800 mg on progression). Treatment generally continued until disease progression. Paediatric (BSA-based, not per-kg): CML chronic and advanced phase 340 mg/m2 daily (not to exceed total dose 800 mg), as a once-daily dose or split morning/evening; may increase to 570 mg/m2 daily (not to exceed 800 mg) under the same circumstances as adults. Ph+ ALL children: 340 mg/m2 daily (not to exceed total dose 600 mg). No experience in children below 2 years of age. For patients unable to swallow tablets, tablets may be dispersed in still water or apple juice.