What should imatinib be taken with to reduce gastrointestinal upset?

Imatinib is typically recommended to be taken with food to help minimize gastrointestinal upset, which is a common side effect associated with its use. By consuming imatinib along with a meal, the presence of food can help buffer the stomach lining and mitigate the irritation that might otherwise occur if the medication is taken on an empty stomach. This approach can also aid in improving the medication's absorption, leading to more consistent therapeutic effects.

Taking it on an empty stomach may increase gastrointestinal irritation, while milk could potentially interfere with the drug's absorption due to its calcium content. Using antacids could lead to altered absorption dynamics since they change the stomach's acidity, which can impact how well imatinib is absorbed. Therefore, taking imatinib with food is the most effective strategy to reduce gastrointestinal upset and ensure optimal absorption.