Often used for:
Leukemia
About Dasatinib
Dasatinib is a type of chemotherapy called targeted therapy. It works by stopping the action of a specific protein that signals cancer cells to multiply.
Possible late effects
- Some patients may experience long-term or late effects of treatment that may continue or develop months or years after treatment ends. Possible late effects due to dasatinib include:
- Slowed growth
Possible side effects
- Pain, burning, or tingling in the hands and feet
- Rash, redness and peeling of skin
- Swelling, redness, sores and pain inside the mouth
- Swelling of eyes, arms, and legs
- Dry cough
- Low blood counts (may cause increased risk of infection, bleeding, anemia and/or fatigue)
- Muscle and joint pain
- Fatigue or weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Symptoms of infection: fever, sore throat, chills
- Sudden weight gain
- Difficulty breathing, especially when lying down
- Coughing up pink or bloody mucus
- Headache
- Not all patients who take dasatinib will experience these side effects. Common side effects are in bold, but there may be others. Please report all suspected side effects to your doctor or pharmacist.
Tips for families
- Be sure to discuss these and other recommendations with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Patients should not take antacids (such as ranitidine) within 2 hours before or after taking dasatinib, unless recommended by a doctor.
- Sexually active patients should take steps to prevent pregnancy during treatment and for 6 months after completion of therapy.
- Patients should tell their doctor if they are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Avoid drinking grapefruit or Seville orange-containing beverages and eating grapefruit or Seville oranges while taking this medication.
- Caregivers should follow instructions for safe handling and disposal of the medicine and avoid contact with patient body fluids. Patient body fluids can contain the drug for 48 hours after it is given.
