Dasatinib

Generic name: dasatinib [ da-SAT-in-ib ]
Brand name: Sprycel
Dosage form: oral tablet (100 mg; 140 mg; 20 mg; 50 mg; 70 mg; 80 mg)
Drug class:BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Oct 6, 2021.

What is dasatinib?

Dasatinib is a cancer medicine that slows the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Dasatinib is used in adults and children to treat a type of blood cancer called Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).

Dasatinib is also used to treat Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults and children.

Warnings

Dasatinib is a cancer medication that slows the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Dasatinib can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).

Some people using dasatinib have developed a rare but serious condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH may be irreversible if not promptly treated, and this condition can be fatal. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk of developing PAH.

Before taking this medicine

Some people using dasatinib have developed a rare but serious condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH occurs when blood pressure increases inside the arteries in your lungs. This makes it harder for your heart to pump blood through the lungs, which also weakens muscles in the heart. PAH may be irreversible if not promptly treated, and this condition can be fatal. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk of developing PAH.

To make sure dasatinib is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicines);

• stomach or intestinal bleeding;

• liver disease;

• heart disease;

• low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood;

• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);

• lung disease; or

• lactose intolerance.

Dasatinib may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using dasatinib, and for at least 30 days after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Dasatinib may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because dasatinib may harm the baby if a pregnancy does occur.

You should not breastfeed while ...