Uses of Dasatinib

Dasatinib is used to treat blood cancer and bone marrow cancer (such as chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) or Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia).

Therapeutic Category

Dasatinib: Anticancer agents (tyrosine kinase inhibitor)

How Dasatinib works

Dasatinib is an anti-cancer medicine. It works by blocking the actions of certain proteins (such as BCR-ABL, Src kinase, etc.) in the body that triggers cancer formation. As a result, it reduces abnormal growth and multiplication of cancer cells in the body.

Common side effects of Dasatinib

• increased infections
• nausea, vomiting
• diarrhea, stomach pain, bloating, constipation, heartburn
• lack of appetite, changes in taste
• mouth ulcers, hair loss
• weight loss or weight gain
• headache, tiredness, weakness
• dizziness
• skin rash, itching, dry skin, acne
• increased bleeding tendency
• joint pain, muscle pain or spasms
• increased sweating, flushing
• blurred vision, dry eyes
• depression, sleeplessness
• oedema (swelling of body parts)

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor if you experience:

• chest pain, cough, breathing difficulties and fainting (signs of fluid retention in lungs)
• unusual bleeding or bruising with fever, tiredness and confusion (signs of blood vessel damage)
• bloody stools/urine/vomit or black tarry stools
• blistering or peeling of skin and mucous membranes with fever and sore throat, mouth ulcers

Health Tips for Dasatinib

• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Adequate hydration is important for overall health and can help manage certain side effects such as diarrhoea or nausea that may be associated with Dasatinib
• Take this medicine with food to minimize the risk of stomach upset or other gastrointestinal issues
• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice as these may interact with this medicine and affect its effectiveness. It's recommended to avoid consuming grapefruit products while taking this medication
• Maintain proper hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before meals and after using the restroom. This helps reduce the risk of infections, as this medicine can temporarily weaken the immune system
• Avoid concomitant use of antacids or any stomach medicines along with Dasatinib Leave a time gap of at least 2 hours between the medicines
• Dasatinib may cause congenital abnormalities. Therefore, it is not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Men and women taking Dasatinib must use a suitable contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy while undergoing therapy with this medicine