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Brand Names: Sprycel

Generic Name: dasatinib (Pronunciation: da SAT in ib)

• What is dasatinib (Sprycel)?
• What are the possible side effects of dasatinib (Sprycel)?
• What is the most important information I should know about dasatinib (Sprycel)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking dasatinib (Sprycel)?
• How should I take dasatinib (Sprycel)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Sprycel)?
• What happens if I overdose (Sprycel)?
• What should I avoid while taking dasatinib (Sprycel)?
• What other drugs will affect dasatinib (Sprycel)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is dasatinib (Sprycel)?

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

Dasatinib is used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when other cancer treatments have not been effective.

Dasatinib may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of dasatinib (Sprycel)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• pale skin, weakness;
• easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools;
• vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds;
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; or
• uneven heartbeats.

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache, tiredness;
• mild skin rash;
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea; or
• muscle or joint pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about dasatinib (Sprycel)?

Do not use this medication without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Before using dasatinib, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood, heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder, or if you have a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

Do not crush, chew, or break a dasatinib tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

There are many other medicines that can interact with dasatinib. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Dasatinib can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection.