Health Care

What is Gleevec and How is It Used to Treat Cancer?

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Health CarePerhaps you are going through cancer treatment, or know someone dealing with chronic myeloid leukemia, also referred to as “CML”. Through the years, cancer has been a major enemy of mankind as it can be quite difficult to treat.

Despite this challenge, there are innovations in healthcare to outsmart this condition. Several types of medications are available for their respective subtypes. For instance, if you happen to have CML, or even ALL, your doctor in Canada may prescribe gleevec.

Gleevec and How it Works

Signals are sent back and forth from our brains to the different parts of our bodies. Because of this, we are able to breathe, move and function. This communication reaches a cellular level. Our bodies produce chemicals called growth factors that control cell growth by plugging into the receptors on the surface of our cells. The main messengers that carry these growth factors are enzymes called tyrosine kinase.

In general, cancer is a condition that involves the uncontrolled growth of the cells. By impeding the growth signals carried by the tyrosine kinases, you can stop the communication between cells that work to stimulate growth and replication. This is where gleevec comes in.

The generic name for gleevec is imatinib meslate. It is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that’s designed to block the growth signals between cancer cells.

Be Fully Aware of the Medications You’re Taking

You should be aware of gleevec’s side effects. Some of them may be mild and would not require immediate attention, such as headache and temporary weakness. However, if you start to experience more severe symptoms, discontinue your consumption and consult with your doctor right away.

When your doctor prescribes this drug to treat your or your loved one’s medical condition, make sure to obtain it from a reliable supplier so you can only expect the best in treatment.

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