DrugDigest  
 
    Search
 
  Drugs & Herbs
  Conditions
  News & Reviews
7 Steps to Safety
Check For Savings
Senior Corner
Glossary
eBulletins
Home
Express Scripts Member?

Drugs & Vitamins

Printable Version Dasatinib tablets

Active Ingredients: Dasatinib tablets
Representative Names: Sprycel

What are Dasatinib Tablets?
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
How should this medicine be used?
What if I miss a dose?
What drug(s) may interact with Dasatinib?
What side effects may I notice from receiving Dasatinib?
What should I watch for while taking Dasatinib?
Where can I keep my medicine?

What are Dasatinib Tablets? (Back to top)
DASATINIB (Sprycel™) is an oral anti-cancer agent that is used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and certain types of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Dasatinib targets proteins in specific cancer cells and stops those cells from growing.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? (Back to top)
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•bleeding problems
•heart disease
•heart failure
•infection (especially a virus infection like chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)
•irregular heartbeat
•liver disease
•low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
•take medicines that treat or prevent blood clots
•an unusual or allergic reaction to Dasatinib, other medicines, lactose, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used? (Back to top)
This medicine is taken by mouth. Take these tablets whole; do not break, cut, or crush. Usually, it is taken twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, with food or without food. However your healthcare provider may change how you take this medicine based on how it affects you. Try to take your medicine at the same time each day. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking without talking with your healthcare provider.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose? (Back to top)
Take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that one, and skip your missed dose. Do not take extra or double doses.

What drug(s) may interact with Dasatinib? (Back to top)
•astemizole
•certian calcium-channel blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems
•bosentan
•certain antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin, troleandomycin)
•cevimeline
•cisapride
•cyclosporine
•dexamethasone
•dolasetron
•fentanyl
•halofantrine
•medicines for colds or breathing difficulties (including asthma)
•medicines for HIV infection
•medicines for mental depression such as tricyclic antidepressants
•medicines for mental problems or psychotic disturbances
•medicines for seizures (convulsions) such as phenytoin
•medicines for ulcer treatment (cimetidine, rantitidine, lansoprazole, omeprazole)
•medicines to control heart rhythm (examples: digoxin, disopyramide, dofetilide, sotalol, procainamide, quinidine)
•medicines to lower cholesterol such as atorvastatin, cerivastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin
•radiopaque contrast agents
•rifampin, rifabutin, or rifapentine
•pimozide
•probucol
•sirolimus or tacrolimus
•St. John's Wort
•terfenadine
•voriconazole
•red yeast rice

Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:
•acetaminophen
•aspirin
•ibuprofen
•ketoprofen
•naproxen

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Dasatinib? (Back to top)
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•low blood counts - imatinib may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding.
•signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
•signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine, nosebleeds
•signs of decreased red blood cells - unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadedness
•difficulty breathing
•palpitations or irregular heart beats
•swelling in your arms or legs
•sores or white patches in your mouth or throat
•sudden weight gain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•constipation
•decreased appetite
•fatigue
•headache
•heartburn
•muscle pain
•nausea/vomiting
•skin rash, itching
•stomach discomfort
•weakness

What should I watch for while taking Dasatinib? (Back to top)
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks. The side effects of this medicine may continue after you finish your treatment; report side effects promptly.

This medicine will decrease your body's ability to fight infections. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding. Be careful not to cut, bruise, or injure yourself because you may get an infection and bleed more than usual.

Avoid taking aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®), ketoprofen (Orudis KT®), or naproxen (Aleve®) products as these may mask a fever, unless instructed to by your prescriber or health care professional.

Your stomach needs acid to absorb this medicine. If you take antacids, take them 2 hours before or 2 hours after this medicine. Do not take acid blockers, like Tagamet®, Zantac®, Pepcid®, or Prilosec®. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick while taking this medicine because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are taking dasatinib.

Do not have any vaccinations without your prescriber's approval and avoid anyone who has recently had the oral polio vaccine.

There is a risk of birth defects if this medicine is given during pregnancy. Women should not become pregnant while they or their partners are being treated with dasatinib. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you or your partner becomes pregnant during dasatinib therapy. Women should not breast-feed while receiving this medicine.

If you are going to have surgery or any other procedures, tell your doctor you are taking dasatinib.



Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top)
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store the tablets at room temperature between 15—30 degrees C (59—86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label.

Last Updated:11/27/2007

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY©
GOLD STANDARD MULTIMEDIA INC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.

  Additional Information

  Check Drug Interactions with Dasatinib tablets

  Test Yourself! If you currently take Dasatinib tablets, do you know everything that you need to know?

  Make your own printable Medication / Emergency Contact Card



Printable Version     Recommend this page to a friend