All medications, even those sold over the counter, can cause side effects. The same is true for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatments. While some side effects of CML therapies can be mild, others can greatly affect your quality of life.

“I developed a full-body rash after my first CML treatment,” shared one MyLeukemiaTeam member. “I tried another drug and got a rash from that one, too.”

Learning how to manage side effects can help you feel your best during blood cancer treatment and make it easier to stick with your treatments long term. Below, we’ll discuss common CML treatment side effects and share five tips to help relieve them.

Common Side Effects of CML Treatment

Side effects of cancer treatments vary from person to person and depend on the type of treatment used. Your quality of life matters, so tell your cancer care team about any new, worsening, or hard-to-manage side effects. They can help you find ways to feel better.

Here are some CML treatments and their most common side effects.

Targeted Therapy

Your hematologist-oncologist may recommend targeted therapy as a CML treatment option. These drugs work by blocking specific genes or proteins in leukemia cells. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a type of targeted therapy and are the most common CML treatment.

Your hematology specialist may recommend a TKI such as nilotinib (sold as Danziten or Tasigna), imatinib (Gleevec), dasatinib (Sprycel), bosutinib (Bosulif), ponatinib (Iclusig), or asciminib (Scemblix).

Side effects may include:

• Fatigue (tiredness that does not improve with rest)
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Fluid buildup
• Skin rashes
• Eye issues, such as swelling, dryness, or bleeding
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Headaches
• Upper respiratory infections
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle and joint pain
• Cognitive changes, such as memory issues and trouble concentrating
• Itchy or dry skin

Fatigue may be caused by anemia. If you often feel fatigued, ask your doctor to check your levels of red blood cells.

Chemotherapy

If TKI therapy has stopped working or your CML is in blast phase, a fast-growing stage of CML, your cancer care team may recommend chemotherapy. Depending on the type and dose of chemotherapy, side effects may include:

• Mouth sores
• Anemia (low red blood cells)
• Neutropenia (low white blood cells)
• Nausea
• Hair loss
• Vomiting
• Low appetite
• Easy bleeding or bruising
• Fatigue or weakness
• Changes in your sense of smell and taste

Ways To Relieve CML Treatment Side Effects

Your oncology team can guide you on the best ways to manage side effects from targeted therapy or chemotherapy. Always tell your healthcare team about any new or worsening side effects so they can help right away.

It may sound strange, but getting more physical activity can help many people reduce fatigue.

Here are some general tips to help relieve side effects from CML treatments.

1. Take Breaks To Manage Fatigue

If you’re feeling exhausted during CML treatment, try taking short breaks throughout the day. Resting often can help reduce tiredness and give you more energy.

Gentle physical activity, like walking or simple yoga stretches, can also help. Studies show that light aerobic exercises, such as walking or swimming, can reduce fatigue and help you sleep better.

You don’t need to exercise a lot to feel the benefits. Start with short walks and see how you feel afterward.

Fatigue can also be caused by other factors besides your CML treatment. For example, some people with chronic myeloid leukemia have anemia. Low levels of red blood cells can cause fatigue, so treating anemia may help boost your energy.

“I had an iron infusion a couple of weeks ago for anemia — fatigue is gone,” shared one MyLeukemiaTeam member.

2. Eat Small, Frequent Meals To Relieve Nausea

Good nutrition is important during cancer treatment, but nausea can make eating difficult. Try eating small meals throughout the day and taking small sips of fluids often. Nausea can get worse if your stomach is empty, so eating small amounts may help ease it.

Some CML drugs have specific instructions about food. Ask your cancer care team whether your medication should be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

You can also try sucking on ice chips or frozen juice to stay hydrated if drinking makes you nauseous.

Avoid strong-smelling or spicy foods, as they can make nausea worse. Instead, choose bland foods like toast, cereal, or pretzels.

After you eat, stay upright instead of lying down. This helps food move through your digestive system and helps your body absorb nutrients.

3. Choose Low-Fiber Foods To Control Diarrhea

If your CML treatment causes diarrhea, it can be hard to know what to eat. Try low-fiber foods such as canned fruit, pasta, and white bread. Avoid foods and drinks that can make diarrhea worse, such as spicy foods, caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and dairy products.

If you’re not sure what to eat, ask your hematologist-oncologist for a referral to a dietitian. They can help create a plan that works for you.

Avoid foods and drinks that can make diarrhea worse, such as spicy foods, caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and dairy products.

You can try foods and drinks with sodium or potassium, like bananas, applesauce, soup, and peeled boiled potatoes, to replace lost nutrients.

4. Get Organized To Help With Memory Issues

Memory problems, brain fog, or trouble concentrating can make daily life harder. To help you stay on track, spend time each evening getting organized for the next day. Make a schedule you can stick to and keep everything in its proper place.

Smartphones, apps, and online calendars can help you stay organized.

You can also ask loved ones to remind you of important tasks. “I rely on other people to remember things,” one MyLeukemiaTeam member said. “They have become my memory for me. It helps!”

5. Keep Skin Well Moisturized

Both targeted therapy and chemotherapy can cause dry, itchy skin. One way to manage this side effect is to stick to a good skin care routine. Wash with gentle soap-free cleansers because soaps can dry out your skin. Use moisturizer often to help prevent dryness and cracking, and always use sunscreen when going outside.

Your doctor may also recommend that you stay out of the sun, as many CML medications can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Join the Conversation

On MyLeukemiaTeam, people share their experiences with leukemia, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you had side effects from CML treatment? What has helped? Let others know in the comments below.