Dasatinib
Description
Dasatinib is an anticancer medicine used to treat certain types of blood cancer. It blocks the action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. Thus, it stops the cancer cells from spreading.
Dasatinib may cause some side effects like diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain, nausea, fever, fatigue, weakness, headache, dizziness, rash, etc. Consult your doctor if these side effects persist or become severe. Avoid taking this medicine if you are allergic to it.
Dasatinib can be taken with or without food. Take it in the dose and duration prescribed by your doctor. Avoid taking more than the recommended dose as it may increase the risk of undesired effects. Take it every day at the same time to maintain a consistent level of this medicine in your blood. Do not discontinue this medication without consulting your doctor, as it may worsen your condition.
Dasatinib may not be suitable for everyone. It is not recommended for use in children weighing less than 10 kg. Inform your doctor if you have heart, liver, or kidney problems or any other health conditions to make sure it is safe for you. Also, inform your doctor about all your ongoing medications to avoid undesired effects.
Dasatinib is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it can harm the unborn baby. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Dasatinib
- Body aches or Pain
- Burning, numbness, tingling in the arms and feet
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Cough
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Ulcers or white spots in the mouth
- Nausea
- Irregular breathing
- Increased sweating
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Skin Rash
Uses of Dasatinib
What is it prescribed for?
- Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML)
- Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL)
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time taken by Dasatinib to show its effect is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Dasatinib remains effective in your body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Dasatinib.
- Usage in pregnancy?Dasatinib is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it can harm your developing foetus. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Due to the lack of relevant safety information, Dasatinib is not recommended for use while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Dasatinib if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Dasatinib is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it can harm your developing foetus. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Due to the lack of relevant safety information, Dasatinib is not recommended for use while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Driving or operating machines
Dasatinib may cause dizziness or blurred vision. Hence, avoid performing activities that require mental alertness, such as driving vehicles or operating machines, if you experience such symptoms.
Bonemarrow suppression
Bone marrow suppression is a condition in which your bone marrow (a spongy substance found in most bones that produces blood cells) activity is reduced which further leads to a decrease in blood cell count. If you are diagnosed with such a condition, Dasatinib should be used with caution as it may further worsen your condition.
Internal bleeding or hemorrhage
Dasatinib should be used with caution due to the increased risk of internal bleeding or haemorrhages. Inform your doctor if you experience symptoms like unusual bleeding or bruising, black or tarry stools, vomiting up blood, etc.
Risk of infections
Dasatinib may weaken your immune system and make you more vulnerable to infections. Hence, avoid coming in contact with people having infections while taking this medicine.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
Pulmonary arterial hypertension refers to high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. Dasatinib should be used with caution as it may cause pulmonary arterial hypertension. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience breathing difficulty or fatigue.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Dasatinib as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose of Dasatinib. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose for further guidance.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
BCG vaccine
Adalimumab
Alteplase
Dabigatran
Cisapride
Diclofenac
Disease interactions
Cardiovascular disease
Use of Dasatinib may cause QT prolongation (a condition in which your heart muscles take a longer time to recharge between a heartbeat). Hence, it should be used with caution if you have heart problems or taking other medications that are known to cause QT prolongation. If you have low blood potassium or magnesium levels, it may further worsen your condition.
Fluid retention
Dasatinib should be used with caution as it may cause fluid retention (abnormal build-up of fluid in the body). Your doctor may adjust the dose based on your clinical condition.
Hepatic impairment
Dasatinib should be used with caution if you have liver problems as it may worsen your condition.
Food interactions
Grapefruit juice can significantly increase the blood levels of Dasatinib. Hence consumption of grapefruit juice is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of severe side effects. Consult your doctor if you experience palpitation, sore throat, unusual bleeding, paleness, fatigue, fever, chills, weight loss, pain or burning during urination, body sores, muscle pain, etc.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Dasatinib exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet. Swallow as a whole with a sufficient amount of water. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than prescribed.
Consult your doctor if you experience any undesirable effects that persist or worsen.
Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment with this medicine to avoid becoming pregnant.
Dasatinib may increase your risk of severe bleeding, especially if you are taking a blood thinner or any medication to prevent blood clots.
Dasatinib may weaken your immune system and increase the risk of infections. Avoid coming in contact with people who are sick or have infections.
Avoid consuming grapefruit juice during treatment with this medicine as it may increase the risk of undesired effects.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Dasatinib works by inhibiting the actions of an abnormal protein that cause the cancer cells to multiply. This helps in stopping the growth and spread of cancer.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Anticancer drug
Schedule
Schedule H
Drugs, H., 2022. Dasatinib: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 2 March 2022].
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. Dasatinib Zentiva 50 mg film-coated tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 2 March 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 2 Mar 2022
Disclaimer
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