Dasatinib
About Dasatinib
Dasatinib is an oral prescription medication used to treat specific types of blood cancers, including chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph+ ALL). It is prescribed to slow down or stop the growth of abnormal cancer cells in the bone marrow. This medication helps manage these complex blood conditions in both adults and, in some cases, children.
For the best results, you must take Dasatinib consistently at the same time every day. You can take this tablet with or without food, but you should stick to the same routine daily. Making healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of fluids, can help support your body during this treatment.
While taking Dasatinib, you may experience some common side effects, which are usually manageable. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious symptoms, such as sudden shortness of breath, unexplained swelling, or unusual bleeding. Regular medical follow-ups and blood tests are required to ensure the medication is working safely.
Do not take this if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Before starting Dasatinib, tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease, liver damage, low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood, or a personal or family history of long QT syndrome. Pregnant women must not take this medication, as it can cause harm to an unborn baby.
Dasatinib can interact with several common medications, including stomach-acid reducers and certain antibiotics, which can prevent it from working properly. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine as it may increase the risk of side effects, and talk to your doctor if you smoke. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an elderly patient, consult your doctor to discuss the risks and benefits of this treatment.
Uses of Dasatinib
Medicinal Benefits
Dasatinib provides targeted action directly against the proteins causing cancer cell growth, which offers several practical benefits for patients:
- Disease Control: It helps slow down or halt the progression of leukaemia, allowing many patients to achieve and maintain remission.
- Symptom Relief: By reducing the number of abnormal white blood cells, it helps relieve common leukaemia symptoms like severe fatigue, night sweats, and bone pain, allowing you to feel stronger and more active.
- Oral Convenience: Because it is taken as a simple daily tablet, it allows you to manage your treatment at home without requiring frequent, lengthy hospital stays for intravenous therapies.
Directions for Use
- Dasatinib can be taken with or without food, as food does not affect its absorption or effectiveness.
- It is usually taken once a day, or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow Dasatinib as a whole with water.
- Do not crush, chew or break Dasatinib.
Storage
Side Effects of Dasatinib
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Diarrhoea or upset stomach
- Headache or muscle pain
- Skin rash
- Feeling unusually tired or weak
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Sudden weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or around your eyes, or shortness of breath (signs of fluid buildup)
- Unusual bruising, bleeding from your nose or gums, or blood in your stool
- Fever, chills, sore throat, or other signs of an infection
- Chest pain, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or dizziness
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Never crush or break Dasatinib tablets. If a tablet is broken, pregnant women must avoid handling it, as the active drug can be absorbed through the skin and harm an unborn baby.
- Always carry a list of all your current medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to any doctor or dentist before receiving new treatments.
- Check your body daily for any unusual bruising, red spots on your skin, or dark stools, and report these to your doctor immediately.
- Make sure to attend all scheduled laboratory appointments so your doctor can check your blood counts and monitor your liver and heart health.
Drug Interactions
- Acid-reducers: Medicines like proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole) and H2 blockers can significantly lower the absorption of Dasatinib, making it less effective.
- Blood thinners: Taking this medicine with anticoagulants (like warfarin) or antiplatelet drugs (like aspirin) can increase your risk of severe bleeding.
- CYP3A4 inhibitors and inducers: Certain antibiotics, antifungals, and anti-seizure medicines can change how quickly your liver breaks down Dasatinib, causing levels to become dangerously high or too low.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption while on treatment with Dasatinib to prevent serious adverse effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeWhen given to a pregnant woman, Dasatinib may cause fetal harm. There have been no sufficient and well-controlled investigations of Dasatinib in pregnant women. Women of reproductive potential should avoid becoming pregnant while undergoing treatment with this medicine.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not known if Dasatinib passes into your breast milk. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while taking this medicine and for 2 weeks of the treatment with Dasatinib. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative based on the symptoms and health condition.
Driving
unsafeDasatinib may cause dizziness and may make you feel drowsy. Hence, avoid driving or operating machines after taking Dasatinib or until you become alert.
Liver
cautionUse Dasatinib with caution if you have liver disease. Your doctor may monitor your liver function while taking this medicine. No dose adjustments are necessary in patients with liver impairment.
Kidney
cautionThere are presently no clinical investigations with Dasatinib in patients with compromised renal function. If you have kidney problems, inform your doctor before taking this medicine.
Children
consult your doctorDasatinib is safe for use in children above one year of age if prescribed by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid grapefruit: Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking Dasatinib, as it can dangerously increase the levels of the medicine in your body.
- Manage infection risk: Wash your hands frequently and avoid close contact with people who have active infections, as this medicine can temporarily lower your white blood cell count.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your kidneys flush out waste products as tumour cells break down.
- Track your weight: Weigh yourself regularly and report any sudden, unexplained weight gain to your doctor, as this can be an early sign of fluid retention.
Special Advise
- A blood test, such as LFT and RFT, should be performed to check for liver/kidney function.
- Weekly blood tests should be done during the treatment to check for CBC (Complete blood count).
- An ECG and ECHO should be done in patients taking Dasatinib to check for any signs of cardiac problems.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia: Leukemia, also known as blood cancer, is a cancer of blood cells or blood-forming tissues. It causes excessive production of immature white blood cells by the bone marrow and reduces the body’s ability to fight infections. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that originates in the myeloid cells or stem cells in your bone marrow. Ph+ chronic myeloid leukemia is a common form of CML that occurs when specific chromosomes swap position. This causes a chromosome abnormality, creating the Philadelphia chromosome. The abnormal chromosomes produce an abnormal protein called Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, which then triggers a signal to produce abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow. Symptoms may include fatigue, fever, weight loss, and loss of appetite.
Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): ALL is a type of blood cancer that primarily affects your blood and bone marrow. It mainly targets the white blood cells which can interfere with your body’s ability to combat infections. Ph+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is a form of ALL that occurs when specific chromosomes swap position. This causes a chromosome abnormality, creating the Philadelphia chromosome. The abnormal chromosomes produce a BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase protein, which triggers a signal to produce abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow. Symptoms may include fever, weight loss, abnormal blood cell count, bruising, and loss of appetite.
FAQs
Dasatinib is used to treat Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Dasatinib contains Dasatinib, which works by inhibiting the action of abnormal proteins that cause the multiplication of cancerous cells.
Dasatinib is known to cause embryo-fetal toxicity; hence, it is contraindicated for use in pregnancy. A woman needs to have a negative pregnancy test before starting treatment with this medicine. It is better to use effective birth control methods to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine or at least six months after completion of the treatment.
Take antacids such as aluminium hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, calcium carbonate, and magnesium 2 hours before or after taking Dasatinib as antacids may alter the absorption of this medicine.
Yes, you can take Dasatinib either with or without food. However, try to be consistent with how you take it each day to help keep drug levels steady in your body. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.
Contact your healthcare team immediately. A fever can be a sign of a serious infection, which requires prompt medical evaluation since this medicine can lower your white blood cell count. Talk to your doctor right away.
No, you must avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice entirely while taking this medication. Grapefruit can dramatically increase the drug levels in your body, leading to severe side effects. Talk to your doctor if you have dietary concerns.
No, you must not crush, cut, or chew the tablets. They must be swallowed whole. If you have difficulty swallowing pills, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for alternative guidance.
Some patients may experience thinning of the hair or mild hair loss while taking Dasatinib, though it is usually temporary. If this concern is affecting your well-being, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for supportive care advice.
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