| Adverse effects | Nilotinib group (n = 25) | Imatinib group (n = 25) | P value |
| Myalgia |
|
| 0.18 |
| Absent | 16 (64) | 12 (48) | |
| G1 | 7 (28) | 6 (24) | |
| G2 | 2 (8) | 7 (28) | |
| Rash |
|
| 0.01* |
| Absent | 25 (100) | 14 (56) | |
| G1 | 0 | 6 (24) | |
| G2 | 0 | 2 (8) | |
| G3 | 0 | 3 (12) | |
| Nausea |
|
| 0.04* |
| Absent | 17 (68) | 10 (40) | |
| G1 | 8 (32) | 11 (44) | |
| G2 | 0 | 4 (16) | |
| Fatigue |
|
| 0.01* |
| Absent | 17 (68) | 8 (32) | |
| G1 | 5 (20) | 15 (60) | |
| G2 | 3 (12) | 2 (8) | |
| Diarrhea |
|
| 0.19 |
| Absent | 14 (56) | 18 (72) | |
| G1 | 8 (32) | 7 (28) | |
| G2 | 3 (12) | 0 | |
| Fluid retention |
|
| 0.01* |
| Absent | 25 (100) | 13 (42) | |
| G1 | 0 | 8 (32) | |
| G2 | 0 | 4 (16) |