Matinab should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Follow all your doctor’s instructions carefully, even if they differ from the general information contained in this leaflet.

Warnings and precautions:

Talk to your doctor before taking Matinab.

Take special care with Matinab:

- if you have or have ever had a liver, kidney or heart problem.

- if you are taking the medicine levothyroxine because your thyroid has been removed.

- if you have ever had or might now have a hepatitis B infection. This is because Matinab could cause hepatitis B to become active again, which can be fatal in some cases. Patients will be carefully checked by their doctor for signs of this infection before treatment is started.

-You may become more sensitive to the sun while taking Matinab. It is important to cover sun-exposed areas of skin and use sunscreen with high sun protection factor (SPF).

-You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.

- During treatment with Matinab, tell your doctor straight away if you put on weight very quickly or have swelling.

- Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines.

- You will also have blood tests and be weighed regularly.

- Some children and adolescents taking Matinab may have slower than normal growth. The doctor will monitor the growth at regular visits.

- Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription (such as paracetamol), chemical drugs (such as warfarin) and herbal medicines.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility:

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

Matinab is not recommended during pregnancy unless clearly necessary as it may harm your baby. Your doctor will discuss with you the possible risks of taking Matinab during pregnancy.

Women who might become pregnant are advised to use effective contraception during treatment.

Do not breast-feed during the treatment with Matinab.

Children and adolescents:

Matinab is also a treatment for children with CML. There is no experience in children with CML below 2 years of age. There is limited experience in children with Ph-positive ALL and very limited experience in children with MDS/MPD, DFSP, GIST and HES/CEL.

Driving and using machines:

You may feel dizzy or drowsy or get blurred vision while taking this medicine. If this happens, do not drive or use any tools or machines until you are feeling well again.

Contraindications:

- If you are allergic to imatinib.

However, always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.

Do not stop taking Matinab unless your doctor tells you to.

Take Matinab with a meal and full glass of water. This will help protect you from stomach problems when taking Matinab.

If you have accidentally taken too many tablets, talk to your doctor straight away. You may require medical attention. Take the medicine pack with you.

If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Then continue with your normal schedule.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. They are usually mild to moderate. Tell your doctor or pharmacist straight away if you get any of the following:

Rapid weight gain (severe fluid retention), signs of infection (such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers), signs of an allergic reaction (such as rash, itching, hives), unexpected bleeding or bruising, headache or feeling tired, feeling sick (nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or indigestion), muscle cramps, muscle or bone pain, swelling such as round ankles or puffy eyes, anorexia, weight loss, difficulty in sleeping, discharge from the eye (with itching, redness and swelling), nose bleeds, pain or swelling in abdomen, flatulence, heartburn or constipation, unusual hair loss, numbness of the hands or feet, dry mouth, dry skin or dry eye.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP.

Do not store above 30°C. Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.

Matinab comes in 30 tablets in one box. Each tablet contains 100 mg Imatinib mesylate (active substance).

Any unused medicinal products after the end of treatment or by the expiry date should be returned in their original packaging to the place of supply (physician or pharmacist) for proper disposal.