dasatinib

Sprycel (dasatinib) can cause the levels of your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to drop. When these cell counts are lower than normal, you can feel more tired. You can also have a higher risk of bleeding, bruising, and developing infections. Your provider will check your blood counts often while you’re taking Sprycel (dasatinib). Let your provider know right away if you experience fevers, chills, or bleeding and bruising that doesn’t stop or go away because you might need to have your dose lowered or stop this medication.

• Risk factors: Taking medications that raise bleeding risk (e.g., antiplatelets, blood thinners)

In clinical studies, Sprycel (dasatinib) caused bleeding in a small number of people taking the medication. These bleeding events were rarely serious, but a few were life threatening. Let your provider know if you notice bleeding or bruising that doesn’t stop or go away, a large amount of bleeding, blood in the urine, blood in any vomit, or bloody or black and tarry stool. Your provider will decide if you should continue to take Sprycel (dasatinib) or if you need to stop and get treatment for your bleeding.

Sprycel (dasatinib) can cause new or worsening swelling in the arms or legs (peripheral edema) or fluid buildup in the heart or lungs. Some symptoms of fluid buildup include shortness of breath during rest or exercise, dry cough, weight gain, swelling of the legs or ankles, fatigue, and poor appetite. Let your provider know if you develop any of these symptoms during treatment. You might need to stop taking Sprycel (dasatinib), have your dose changed, or add certain treatments to help manage the swelling.

• Risk factors: Low blood potassium or magnesium levels | Medications that affect your heart rhythm | Certain genetic heart rhythm conditions

Rarely, serious heart conditions (like abnormal heart rhythms, heart attack, and stroke-like events) have occurred in people taking Sprycel (dasatinib). Other people taking this medication have developed heart failure and high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs (pulmonary hypertension), which makes the heart work harder and weaken over time. These problems can occur at any time and even several years after you start Sprycel (dasatinib). Make sure your provider knows your full medical history. They might monitor you more closely if you have a history of heart conditions or have ever had an irregular heartbeat. They might also check your blood for certain electrolytes that can affect your heart rhythm. Contact your provider right away if you ever faint, feel lightheaded or tired, or have a fast heartbeat, chest pain, or trouble breathing.

Although rare, people taking Sprycel (dasatinib) have developed serious, potentially life-threatening, skin reactions. These painful rashes or blisters all over the body typically happen in the first days or weeks after starting the medication. Tell your provider immediately if you notice a new rash, a rash along with a fever, or unexplained blisters.

• Risk factors: Previous imatinib (Gleevec) treatment that didn’t work | Higher tumor burden | Advanced cancer stage | Dehydration | Kidney damage

Though rare, some people taking Sprycel (dasatinib) who previously failed treatment with imatinib (Gleevec) developed a condition called tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). This condition happens when many cancer cells die quickly and break down in your body. This causes a rapid release of the cells’ contents like uric acid and other electrolytes. Large amounts of these contents in the blood can cause serious kidney damage and abnormal heart rhythms, which can be dangerous if not treated right away. Other risk factors include having a lot of cancerous cells (high tumor burden), dehydration, and a history of kidney damage. TLS typically occurs in the first week of starting treatment. Tell your provider right away if you experience any symptoms of TLS, such as urinating less than usual or have dark urine, muscle cramps, or a racing heartbeat.

Based on animal studies, Sprycel (dasatinib) can harm an unborn baby or raise the risk for miscarriage (pregnancy loss). Because of these risks, you should use birth control while taking Sprycel (dasatinib) and for at least 1 month after the last dose. Let your provider know right away if you become pregnant during this time.

• Risk factors: Taking the medication for a long time

In clinical studies, a very small number of children experienced problems related to growth and development after taking Sprycel (dasatinib) for at least 2 years. These problems included the growth of bones that weren’t as strong or long, as well as the development of breast tissue in boys. Some cases of these problems went away without needing to stop Sprycel (dasatinib). Your child’s provider will monitor your child’s bone growth and development.