Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Taking too much may increase the chance of side effects, while taking too little may not improve your condition.

This medicine should be taken with a tall glass of water and a meal to help prevent stomach irritation.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break or crush it.

If you cannot swallow the tablet, you may dissolve the tablet in a glass of water or apple juice. If you are taking the 100 mg tablet, dissolve it in 2 ounces (1/4 cup) of water or juice. If you are taking the 400 mg tablet, dissolve it in 7 ounces (about 1 cup) of water or juice. Stir with a spoon and drink immediately after the tablet is dissolved.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may cause the blood levels of this medicine to be higher than normal.

Be careful not to handle crushed or broken tablets. If you have contact with broken or crushed tablets, wash your skin with soap and water right away.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For the treatment of aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM):
      • Adults—400 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For the treatment of chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL) or hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES):
      • Adults—400 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For the treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP):
      • Adults—800 milligrams (mg) per day as a single dose or divided and given as 400 mg 2 times per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST):
      • Adults—400 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 800 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or myeloproliferative diseases (MPD):
      • Adults—400 milligrams (mg) once a day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL):
      • Adults—600 milligrams (mg) once a day.
      • Children 1 year of age and older—Dose is based on body size and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 340 milligrams per square meter (mg/m[2]) per day. The dose may be taken once a day or the dose may be divided into two small doses (once in the morning and once in the evening). However, the dose is usually not more than 600 mg per day.
      • Children younger than 1 year of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML):
      • Adults—400 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 800 mg per day.
      • Children 1 year of age and older—Dose is based on body size and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 340 milligrams per square meter (mg/m[2]) per day. The dose may be taken once a day or divided into 2 small doses (once in the morning and once in the evening). However, the dose is usually not more than 600 mg per day.
      • Children younger than 1 year of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

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