How to manage side effect of Veenat in CML patient?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am diagnosed with CML in the chronic phase. TLC was 4.84 lakhs, and I was on treatment with Hydrox. During the course of treatment, I have developed tinnitus in the right ear. When I got admitted, I had severe vertigo. After the treatment, I started with Veenat 400 mg, and my count came down to 12400 this month. I started treatment four months ago. I am facing breathing difficulty and chest pain issues. Please advise if I need to change the medicine or how to manage the side effects. I am 31 a 31-year-old female.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You have been prescribed an excellent drug for CML (chronic myeloid leukemia), which is Imatinib mesylate. This drug is considered the gold standard treatment for CML. It can lead to nausea, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, joint pain, pancytopenia, etc., and side effects. So chest pain can be from muscular pain, but still, heart failure or other cardiac causes should be ruled out by an EKG. Heart failure is a rare side effect of Imatinib.

Secondly, for breathing difficulty, a respiratory tract infection should be ruled out. In cancer patients on chemotherapy, the chance of infection is increased. Chest X-ray and spirometry-like investigation will be helpful in that. So, according to the report, if needed, specific treatment can be given. For pain, you can be prescribed Paracetamol SOS.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.