Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Sprycel (Dasatinib).
Abnormal heart rhythm: Sprycel (Dasatinib) can cause abnormal heart rhythms, especially for people who have certain heart problems (e.g., congenital long QT syndrome), who are taking medication(s) to control heart rhythm (e.g., Amiodarone, Disopyramide, quinidine, Sotalol), who have received high doses of anthracycline chemotherapy (e.g., Daunorubicin, Doxorubicin, Mitoxantrone), or who are prone to low potassium and magnesium blood levels. Your doctor can assess your risk by reviewing your medications and checking your blood and electrocardiogram (ECG).
Anemia: Sprycel (Dasatinib) may cause low levels of red blood cells. If you experience symptoms of reduced red blood cell count (anemia) such as shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired or pale skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells, including red blood cells, and adjust your dose or temporarily stop it. In severe cases, you may need to receive transfusions of red blood cells.
Bleeding: Sprycel (Dasatinib) may cause bleeding from various sources. The most serious bleeding may occur in the stomach and the brain. If you experience signs of stomach bleeding (severe stomach pain, black stools, vomiting blood, dizziness) or bleeding into the brain (severe and sudden headache, dizziness, trouble speaking, numbness, or weakness), get immediate medical attention.
Blood counts: Sprycel (Dasatinib) can decrease the number of red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells (neutropenia), and platelets (thrombocytopenia). Your doctor will do blood tests to monitor for this and adjust your dose of Sprycel (Dasatinib) or temporarily stop it if your blood counts are too low. If you develop a fever while your blood cell counts are low, contact your doctor immediately.
Congestive Heart Failure: People taking Sprycel (Dasatinib) have experienced congestive heart failure (the heart is not able to pump blood efficiently). This is usually accompanied by fluid retention (see below) or fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). If you experience shortness of breath, swelling, or rapid weight gain, contact your doctor immediately.
Fertility: The effects of Sprycel (Dasatinib) on male and female fertility are not known. Men and women should use adequate contraception while receiving Sprycel (Dasatinib). Talk to your doctor about what forms of contraception would be adequate.
Fluid retention: Sprycel (Dasatinib) can cause serious fluid retention. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience swelling in your feet, ankles, lower legs, or hands; weight gain; or increasing shortness of breath. Your doctor will weigh and monitor you regularly for signs of fluid retention while you are taking Sprycel (Dasatinib).
Grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice can increase the blood levels of Sprycel (Dasatinib) and increase the risk of potentially serious side effects. Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking Sprycel (Dasatinib).
Hepatitis B Reactivation: Sprycel (Dasatinib) may cause hepatitis B infection that is dormant to become active again, which can result in further liver dysfunction or liver failure. If you have a history of hepatitis B infection, discuss with your doctor how Sprycel (Dasatinib) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this mediation, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, Sprycel (Dasatinib) can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). If possible, avoid contact with people with contagious infections.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of white blood cells in your blood and adjust the dose or temporarily stop it if your blood counts are too low.
Lactose: Sprycel (Dasatinib) contains lactose. If you have galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption, do not take Sprycel (Dasatinib).
Liver function: Liver problems such as inflammation and increased liver enzyme levels in the blood have occurred in people taking Sprycel (Dasatinib). Your doctor may monitor your liver function regularly while taking Sprycel (Dasatinib). If you have decreased liver function, discuss with your doctor how Sprycel (Dasatinib) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sprycel (Dasatinib), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.
Pulmonary hypertension: There have been rare reports of pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is an increased blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. If you experience shortness of breath and fatigue, contact your doctor as soon as possible. If you have a heart problem or lung disease, discuss with your doctor how Sprycel (Dasatinib) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sprycel (Dasatinib), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Pregnancy: Sprycel (Dasatinib) should not be used during pregnancy or by women who are planning to become pregnant. If it is taken by a woman who is pregnant, it may harm the developing baby. Women should avoid becoming pregnant while taking Sprycel (Dasatinib). If you become pregnant while taking Sprycel (Dasatinib), contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if Sprycel (Dasatinib) passes into breast milk. Due to the potential for serious harm to a baby if they are exposed to Sprycel (Dasatinib), breast-feeding must be stopped before starting Sprycel (Dasatinib).
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Sprycel (Dasatinib) have not been established for children less than 18 years of age.
Seniors: People over the age of 65 years may be more at risk of side effects from Sprycel (Dasatinib).
