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Overview: Dasatinib is commonly used to treat certain cancers. Common side effects include fluid retention, diarrhea, and headaches. Call your health care provider right away if you get a fever, rash, signs of an infection, swelling, unexplained bleeding, or chest pain. Dasatinib is a tablet that you will swallow.

Uses

What is dasatinib used for?

Dasatinib is used to treat certain cancers. The cancers that dasatinib may be used to treat include the following. 

Dasatinib may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does dasatinib work (mechanism of action)?

Dasatinib works by targeting specific proteins on cancer cells. By blocking the action of these proteins, dasatinib can cause cancer cells to die and prevent cancer cells from growing or spreading.

How is dasatinib supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Phyrago
  • Sprycel

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 20 mg, 50 mg, 70 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg, 140 mg oral tablets

How should I store dasatinib?

Dasatinib should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of dasatinib?

The most common side effects of dasatinib are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Blood disorders (see below)
  • Fluid retention (see below)
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Rash
  • Bleeding (see below)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tiredness
  • Nausea
  • Muscle and bone pain

There may be other side effects of dasatinib that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of dasatinib?

While less common, the most serious side effects of dasatinib are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Dasatinib may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking dasatinib and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Blood Disorders. Dasatinib can cause blood disorders, such as low red blood cells (anemia), low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia), and low neutrophil levels (neutropenia). Attend all of your appointments with your health care provider to have your blood cell counts checked, and stop taking dasatinib and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Frequent infections
  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Headache
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat

Severe Bleeding. Dasatinib can increase your risk of severe bleeding that can lead to death. Some people with serious bleeding may need a blood transfusion or surgery. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following signs of severe bleeding while taking dasatinib.

  • Pink, red, or brown urine (pee)
  • Vomit with blood that looks like coffee grounds
  • Red or black stools (looks like tar)
  • Coughing up blood or blood clots

Fluid Retention (Edema). Dasatinib can cause fluid retention, also called edema. Fluid retention can cause serious issues in people with certain conditions, such as heart failure or kidney problems. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Chest pain
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Stretched or shiny skin
  • Swollen body parts, such as the belly or ankles

Heart Failure. Dasatinib may increase your risk of heart failure. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Unusually fast weight gain
  • Unusual tiredness

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Dasatinib can cause pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which is a condition where you have high blood pressure in your arteries that travel from your heart to your lungs. Tell your health care provider right away if you have the following symptoms of PAH.

  • Chest pain
  • Tiredness
  • Fainting or passing out
  • Swelling in your ankles or legs

Severe Skin Reactions. Dasatinib can cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), that can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop taking dasatinib and call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, and muscle aches

Heart Rhythm Changes. Dasatinib may cause a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people who are older, have other people in their family who have had these conditions, have low potassium or magnesium levels, or take medicines that can prolong the QT interval. Tell your health care provider right away if you faint or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast or skipping heartbeat.

Slowed Growth in Children. Dasatinib can cause slowed growth in children and teenagers. Talk with your health care provider if this is a concern for you.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome. Dasatinib can cause a fast breakdown of cancer cells. This can lead to a condition called tumor lysis syndrome, which can be serious. It is important to drink plenty of water while taking dasatinib, and keep all appointments for blood tests so your health care provider can see how your body is responding to dasatinib. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following signs of tumor lysis syndrome while taking dasatinib.

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Weakness
  • Swelling or fluid retention
  • Shortness of breath
  • Muscle cramps
  • Seizures

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking dasatinib. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish (also called jaundice)

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use dasatinib?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take dasatinib.

  • Dasatinib
  • Sprycel
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific dasatinib products they stock.

What should I know about dasatinib before using it?

Do not take dasatinib unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share dasatinib with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep dasatinib out of the reach of children.

Take dasatinib at the same time every day, and do not crush, chew, or cut dasatinib. It is important to wear gloves if you are handling dasatinib tablets that have been accidentally crushed or broken. If you are pregnant, you should not touch the dasatinib tablets, even with gloves.

If you are taking a medicine called an antacid, you should take it at least two hours before or two hours after your dose of dasatinib.

What should I tell my health care provider before using dasatinib?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if dasatinib is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver problems
  • Bleeding problems 
  • Heart problems, including a heart attack or heart failure or a condition called long QT syndrome
  • Immune system problems
  • Low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood
  • Lactose (milk sugar) intolerance

Other Medicines and Supplements. Dasatinib may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking dasatinib, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Dasatinib may cause harm to a fetus. People who can become pregnant and their partners should use birth control while taking dasatinib and for 30 days after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if dasatinib passes into breast milk. You should not breastfeed while taking dasatinib and for two weeks after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Infertility. Dasatinib can cause fertility problems. Talk with your health care provider if this is a concern for you. 

Interactions

Does dasatinib interact with foods or drinks?

Grapefruit interacts with dasatinib. It is important to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking dasatinib. This is because grapefruit can interfere with your body’s ability to break down dasatinib, which can lead to high levels of the medicine and an increased risk of side effects.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect dasatinib, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer. Both dasatinib and alcohol can increase your risk of bleeding. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does dasatinib interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking dasatinib.

  • An antacid containing aluminum, calcium, iron, or magnesium
  • A proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (Aciphex)
  • An H2 blocker, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid, Zantac), or nizatidine (Axid)
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
  • Itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, or voriconazole (Vfend), which are medicines used for fungal infections
  • Rifampin (Rifadin) or rifapentine (Priftin), which are medicines commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Clarithromycin, which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • A protease inhibitor, such as atazanavir (Reyataz), nelfinavir (Viracept), or ritonavir (Norvir), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV
  • Any medicine for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin
  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of dasatinib. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with dasatinib. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much dasatinib?

If you or someone else has used too much dasatinib, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of dasatinib?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.