8 Sprycel Side Effects and How to Manage Them

Sprycel (dasatinib) is a prescription medication that treats different forms of leukemia in adults and kids. It works by stopping the growth of cancerous blood cells, which are eventually destroyed by your body.

You can take Sprycel with or without food once daily, at the same time each day. It’s relatively convenient to take, but make sure to swallow the tablets whole. Don’t crush, chew, or break them. And avoid acid reducers such as histamine-2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors while you’re taking Sprycel. They can make it less effective. 

Sprycel can cause side effects. You can often manage them at home, but you may need to see your oncologist for some of them. It’s good to be aware of these risks and know how to take care of them.

Sprycel side effects at a glance

Common Sprycel side effects may include:

• Low blood cell counts

• Fluid buildup

• Muscle, joint, or bone pain

• Weakness

• Headache

• Numbness or tingling in the hands or the feet

• Rash

• Mouth sores

• Diarrhea

• Nausea or vomiting

• Constipation

• Stomach pain or swelling

• Loss of appetite

Less common but potentially serious Sprycel side effects may include:

• Elevated liver enzymes

• Fever

• Severe infection

• Swelling of the eyes, hands or feet, or lower legs

• Sudden weight gain

• Difficulty breathing

• Chest pain or pressure

• Vision changes

• Slurred speech

• Rash and skin peeling with fever

• Dark-colored urine

• Bright red or tarry stools

• Heart problems

• Tumor lysis syndrome

Let’s dive deeper into eight Sprycel side effects and how to manage them.

1. Low blood cell counts

Sprycel may cause low blood cell counts. Low red blood cell counts (anemia) can make you feel tired or weak, while low white blood cell counts (neutropenia) make it harder for your body to fight off infections. Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) can cause issues with clotting, which might lead to easy bruising or bleeding. 

Your oncologist should keep an eye on your blood cell counts with regular lab tests. This helps ensure they stay in your target range. If your blood cell counts drop too low, your oncologist may adjust your medication dose or recommend other measures to protect your health.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Demystifying survival numbers: You’re a person, not a data point. Learn how cancer statistics may be useful or misleading, depending on the circumstance.

• Coping strategies: A cancer diagnosis comes with many emotions. Learn about different ways to handle unexpected news.

• Minimal residual disease testing: Understand why you may still need to see your oncologist after your treatment is finished.

Tell your oncologist right away if you experience any infection symptoms or abnormal bleeding, or feel unusually weak. Avoid contact with sick people or activities that could lead to cuts or bruises, too. Your body may have a harder time fighting off infections or healing from injuries.

2. Fluid buildup

Sprycel may cause your body to hold on to excess fluid. This is often mild, but it can become serious in some cases. Fluid may collect around your lungs, the sac surrounding your heart, or your stomach. 

To be safe, watch out for new swelling in your body while you’re taking Sprycel — especially in your hands, legs, and stomach. You may also experience weight gain, difficulty breathing, or a persistent cough. Any sudden changes you see on the scale could point to fluid buildup.

Avoiding salty foods may also help, as salt can cause your body to retain extra fluids. Several medications besides Sprycel can contribute to fluid buildup, too.

Reach out to your oncologist if you start to have swelling, shortness of breath, or other fluid buildup symptoms. They may ask you to temporarily stop Sprycel and restart it later at a lower dose. Or they might recommend you switch medications entirely.

3. Diarrhea

Some people experience diarrhea while taking Sprycel. This can lead to dehydration in more intense or long-lasting cases. 

You can keep yourself hydrated by sipping clear fluids and electrolyte drinks throughout the day.  Try to avoid foods and drinks that tend to make diarrhea worse, such as spicy food, alcohol, and caffeine. It’s also a good idea to skip greasy and acidic foods. Easy-to-digest foods, such as rice, toast, and bananas, are more stomach-friendly options to consider.

Reach out to your oncology care team if you’re still having issues with diarrhea. They can offer additional advice and/or antidiarrheal medications to help manage your symptoms more effectively.

4. Headache

Headaches caused by Sprycel can feel mild, intense, or anywhere in between. 

Here are some ways you can manage headaches:

• Stay hydrated. 

• Limit caffeine- and alcohol-containing drinks (and other dietary triggers, such as nitrites). 

• Get plenty of rest. 

• Meditate. 

• Avoid harsh lights and loud noises.

Speak to your oncologist if you’re having trouble dealing with headaches while taking Sprycel. They may recommend an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever that would be safe for you to take, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).

5. Skin rashes

Skin rashes are possible while taking Sprycel. These rashes can look different from one person to the next. They can appear as red and flat or raised, and they may be fluid filled. You may see blistering or skin peeling, too. 

Many people who develop Sprycel rashes find them to be mild and manageable. There are several things you can try to lessen these rashes, including:

• Avoiding harsh soaps or skin products that irritate your rash

• Keeping your skin hydrated by routinely applying moisturizer

• Applying sunscreen on exposed skin before you go outside

• Wearing UV-rated sunglasses and protective clothing while outside

Severe skin reactions have been reported in rare cases, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). You may initially have flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, which can worsen. You may also notice a rash after 1 to 3 days of having symptoms. It usually starts in the face, hands or feet, or upper chest. Then, it can spread to other regions of your body. The red spots may join together and form fluid-filled blisters, which can lead to painful peeling.

Call 911 or go to the nearest ER right away if you think you’re experiencing SJS. It’s best treated by medical professionals in a hospital. Your care team will likely ask you to stop Sprycel if you develop a severe skin reaction.

6. Serious bleeding

Excessive bleeding is a rare but serious Sprycel side effect. You can likely avoid it, though, by attending regularly scheduled appointments with your oncology care team. They can keep an eye on your lab tests to make sure your risk of bleeding stays low.

Still, take note of any symptoms that may indicate a bleed. Inform your oncologist right away if you’re bruising easily, your gums are bleeding more than usual, or you have a nosebleed that won’t stop. These are all signs that your blood isn’t clotting properly, which could be related to Sprycel. 

Bright red or dark, tar-like stools are possible signs of internal bleeding, such as a digestive tract bleed. Brain-bleed symptoms may include sudden problems with your speech, vision, or confusion. Seek emergency medical attention for these symptoms.

7. Heart problems

Sprycel may affect your heart and blood vessels. It’s been occasionally linked to an abnormal heart rate, and it could potentially cause transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), which are small strokes. TIAs don’t last very long — typically a few minutes or hours.

It’s important to recognize the symptoms of heart and blood vessel problems so you can seek medical attention as needed. Chest pain, shortness of breath, and a racing heart may be signs that something isn’t right with your heart. Changes in your vision or speech, facial drooping, and difficulty with balance are TIA warning signs. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER if you notice any of these symptoms.

8. Tumor lysis syndrome

Sprycel has a potential risk of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) — mostly in people with advanced cancer. TLS happens when cancer cells break down too quickly, releasing substances into your blood that can overwhelm your body. 

This rare-but-sudden cell breakdown can cause serious issues, such as kidney failure or abnormal heart rhythms, if left untreated. Seek medical attention right away if you experience potential TLS symptoms, including:

• Intense nausea and vomiting

• Swelling

• Shortness of breath

• Muscle cramps

• Seizures 

Your oncologist will likely recommend certain measures to reduce your risk of TLS. This includes staying well hydrated, analyzing your blood work routinely, and/or taking a preventative medication like allopurinol (Zyloprim).

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Mandeep Sohal, PharmD

Mandeep Sohal, PharmD, has more than 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and is licensed in California. In his career, he’s had experience with specialty pharmacy, community pharmacy, pharmacy benefit management, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Vanessa Carranza, PharmD

Vanessa Carranza, PharmD, is a pharmacist who has dedicated her career to the advancement of medical education for healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers, most notably in the oncology space.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts