Dasatinib

1 medicine

Dasatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor for chronic myeloid leukemia and Philadelphia-chromosome-positive ALL; it commonly causes fluid to build up around the lungs and can lower blood cell counts, so regular blood tests and chest checks are required.

Sprycel

Dasatinib

50mg

Sprycel is a oncology medication containing Dasatinib, available as 50mg bottles.

from $144.50 / bottle View

Key facts

  • Dasatinib (sold as Sprycel) blocks the abnormal BCR-ABL protein that drives chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia-chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL).
  • Taken as a tablet once daily, with or without food, swallowed whole and never crushed or split.
  • Dasatinib commonly causes fluid to collect around the lungs (pleural effusion) and can lower platelet, red cell and white cell counts; blood counts and breathing symptoms are checked regularly throughout treatment.
  • Seek urgent care for new shortness of breath, chest pain, unusual bruising or bleeding, or a fast or irregular heartbeat.

What dasatinib treats

Dasatinib treats chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer of blood-forming cells driven by an abnormal fusion gene, BCR-ABL, that keeps them multiplying. It is used in the chronic, accelerated and blast phases, including disease that has stopped responding to imatinib. It also treats Ph+ ALL, an aggressive leukemia carrying the same genetic change. It is not used for leukemias that lack this genetic marker.

How dasatinib works

The BCR-ABL fusion protein is a tyrosine kinase, a molecular switch stuck in the "on" position that drives leukemia cells to multiply without control. Dasatinib fits into that switch and blocks it, slowing or stopping the abnormal growth and letting normal blood cell production recover over time.

Before you take it

  • Tell your prescriber about any heart condition, irregular heartbeat, low potassium or magnesium, liver disease, or a history of bleeding problems.
  • Antacids and acid-reducing medicines, including proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers, lower dasatinib absorption; separate antacid doses by several hours and discuss any acid-reducer with your prescriber.
  • Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as some antifungals and antibiotics, and inducers, such as some anticonvulsants and St John's wort, significantly change dasatinib levels.
  • Avoid dasatinib in pregnancy; it can harm the developing baby, and effective contraception is advised during treatment.

Side effects

Common effects include nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint aches, rash, and fluid retention.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • New shortness of breath or a persistent cough.
  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or blood in the stool or urine.
  • Fever with chills, which can signal infection from a low white cell count.
  • Chest pain, palpitations, or fainting.

Safety essentials

  • Pleural effusion is a hallmark side effect of dasatinib, not a rare one. Report new breathlessness or cough promptly; it usually resolves once the dose is interrupted or lowered.
  • Blood counts are checked regularly, often weekly at first and then monthly, since dasatinib can cause severe low platelet and white cell counts that raise the risk of bleeding and infection.
  • An electrocardiogram may be checked before starting if you have heart risk factors, because dasatinib can prolong the heart's QT interval.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.