Dasatinib is used to treat chronic myelogenous leukaemia or CML (a type of cancer where the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells called granulocytes).
Take Dasatinib exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
This medicine may be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not chew, crush or cut the tablet. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Dasatinib must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, inform your doctor and pharmacist.
Inform your doctor if you have a liver disease.
It is important that you do not get pregnant while being treated with this medicine. You may wish to discuss birth control methods with your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. He may also need to do routine blood tests (e.g. complete blood count, liver function tests) while you are being treated with Dasatinib. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Dasatinib will cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Alert your doctor if you have a fever, or a cough or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. When the level of your platelets drops, you may be at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not participate in activities in which you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Alert your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Other side effects include any of the following: swelling in your legs and around your eyes, stomach pain, diarrhoea, rashes, headaches,nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, cough, weakness, muscle and joint pain.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for heart disease e.g. quinidine bepridil
- warfarin (a blood-thinning medicine)
- medicines to treat fungal infections e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
- antibiotics e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine
- medicines for migraine e.g.ergotamine
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. pimozide
- St. John's Wort (herbal medicine)
- medicines for cold or allergy e.g. astemizole, terfenadine
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Dasatinib.
Dasatinib should not be taken with antacids as antacids could reduce the effectiveness of this medicine. If you must take antacids, there should be at least 2 hours interval between the antacid and Dasatinib.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol and excessive consumption (more than 1 litre a day) of grapefruit juice.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
As this is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired tablets to the clinic, hospital or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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