A variety of adverse reactions represent local or general fluid retention including pleural effusion, ascites, pulmonary edema and rapid weight gain with or without superficial edema. These reactions appear to be dose related, were more common in the blast crisis and accelerated phase studies (where the dose was 600 mg/day), and are more common in the elderly. These reactions were usually managed by interrupting Gleevec treatment and using diuretics or other appropriate supportive care measures. A few of these reactions may be serious or life threatening, and one patient with blast crisis died with pleural effusion, congestive heart failure, and renal failure.

Adverse reactions, regardless of relationship to study drug, that were reported in at least 10% of the Gleevec treated patients are shown in Tables 2 and 3.

Table 2 Adverse Reactions Reported in Newly Diagnosed CML Clinical Trial (≥10% of Gleevec Treated Patients)(1)  All Grades CTC Grades 3/4
 Gleevec IFN+Ara−C Gleevec IFN+Ara−C
Preferred Term N=551 (%) N=533 (%) N=551 (%) N=533 (%)
Fluid Retention 61.7 11.1 2.5 0.9
− Superficial Edema 59.9 9.6 1.5 0.4
− Other Fluid Retention Reactions2 6.9 1.9 1.3 0.6
Nausea 49.5 61.5 1.3 5.1
Muscle Cramps 49.2 11.8 2.2 0.2
Musculoskeletal Pain 47.0 44.8 5.4 8.6
Diarrhea 45.4 43.3 3.3 3.2
Rash and Related Terms 40.1 26.1 2.9 2.4
Fatigue 38.8 67.0 1.8 25.1
Headache 37.0 43.3 0.5 3.8
Joint Pain 31.4 38.1 2.5 7.7
Abdominal Pain 36.5 25.9 4.2 3.9
Nasopharyngitis 30.5 8.8 0 0.4
Hemorrhage 28.9 21.2 1.8 1.7
- GI Hemorrhage 1.6 1.1 0.5 0.2
- CNS Hemorrhage 0.2 0.4 0 0.4
Myalgia 24.1 38.8 1.5 8.3
Vomiting 22.5 27.8 2.0 3.4
Dyspepsia 18.9 8.3 0 0.8
Cough 20.0 23.1 0.2 0.6
Pharyngolaryngeal Pain 18.1 11.4 0.2 0
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 21.2 8.4 0.2 0.4
Dizziness 19.4 24.4 0.9 3.8
Pyrexia 17.8 42.6 0.9 3.0
Weight Increased 15.6 2.6 2.0 0.4
Insomnia 14.7 18.6 0 2.3
Depression 14.9 35.8 0.5 13.1
Influenza 13.8 6.2 0.2 0.2
Bone Pain 11.3 15.6 1.6 3.4
Constipation 11.4 14.4 0.7 0.2
Sinusitis 11.4 6.0 0.2 0.2
(1)All adverse reactions occurring in ≥10% of Gleevec treated patients are listed regardless of suspected relationship to treatment.
(2)Other fluid retention reactions include pleural effusion, ascites, pulmonary edema, pericardial effusion, anasarca, edema aggravated, and fluid retention not otherwise specified.
Table 3Adverse Reactions Reported in Other CML Clinical Trials (≥10% of All Patients in any Trial)(1)  Myeloid Blast Crisis
(n= 260) Accelerated Phase
(n=235) Chronic Phase, IFN Failure
(n=532)
 % % %
Preferred Term AllGrades Grade 3/4 All Grades Grade 3/4 All Grades Grade3/4
Fluid Retention 72 11 76 6 69 4
-Superficial Edema 66 6 74 3 67 2
-Other Fluid Retention Reactions (2) 22 6 15 4 7 2
Nausea 71 5 73 5 63 3
Muscle Cramps 28 1 47 0.4 62 2
Vomiting 54 4 58 3 36 2
Diarrhea 43 4 57 5 48 3
Hemorrhage 53 19 49 11 30 2
- CNS Hemorrhage 9 7 3 3 2 1
- GI Hemorrhage 8 4 6 5 2 0.4
Musculoskeletal Pain 42 9 49 9 38 2
Fatigue 30 4 46 4 48 1
Skin Rash 36 5 47 5 47 3
Pyrexia 41 7 41 8 21 2
Arthralgia 25 5 34 6 40 1
Headache 27 5 32 2 36 0.6
Abdominal Pain 30 6 33 4 32 1
Weight Increased 5 1 17 5 32 7
Cough 14 0.8 27 0.9 20 0
Dyspepsia 12 0 22 0 27 0
Myalgia 9 0 24 2 27 0.2
Nasopharyngitis 10 0 1