Dasatinib: how to take it safely
Sprycel
Reviewed by Pharm. Abeeb Junior
What it is for
Treats chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and some other leukaemias.
How to take it
- Prescription medicine: take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist told you.
- Swallow whole with water. Do not crush, cut or chew.
When to take it
Take it once a day, at the same time.
Take it with
With or without food.
What to avoid
- Stopping or missing doses without your doctor's advice.
- Grapefruit juice.
- Antacids within 2 hours of your dose, and acid-reducing medicines like omeprazole unless your doctor agrees.
- Pregnancy.
- Live vaccines unless your cancer team says so.
- Contact with people who have infections such as chickenpox or flu.
- Alcohol, unless your team says it is safe.
Possible side effects
Headache, nausea, diarrhoea, rash, tiredness, fluid around the lungs.
Get help if
Breathlessness, chest pain, cough, unusual bleeding, or a fast or irregular heartbeat: get urgent help.
This is general information, not personal medical advice. Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions and read the leaflet that comes with your medicine. Medicines and doses can differ between products and people.