Dasatinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps stop the spread of cancer cells.It sold under the brand name Sprycel, is a targeted therapy used to treat certain cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

uses

Dasatinib is used to treat a certain type of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML; a type of cancer of the white blood cells) as a first treatment and in people who can no longer benefit from other leukemia medications including imatinib (Gleevec) or in those who cannot take these medications because of side effects. Dasatinib is also used to treat a certain type of chronic CML in children. Dasatinib is also used to treat a certain type of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL; a type of cancer of the white blood cells) in people who can no longer benefit from other leukemia medications or who cannot take these medications because of side effects.

usage

Dasatinib comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day, in the morning or in the evening, with or without food. Take dasatinib at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take dasatinib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

side effects

Common side effects include low white blood cells, low blood platelets, anemia, swelling, rash, and diarrhea.Severe side effects may include bleeding, pulmonary edema, heart failure, and prolonged QT syndrome.Use during pregnancy may result in harm to the baby.It is a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor and works by blocking a number of tyrosine kinases such as Bcr-Abl and the Src kinase family.