Sprycel

What is Sprycel?

Sprycel slows down the growth and spreading of cancerous cells. Sprycel can be used to treat adults and children with a blood cancer known as Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic leukemia. Sprycel can also be used to treat adults and children with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute leukemia.

Warnings

Sprycel, a cancer drug, slows down the growth and spreading of cancerous cells. Sprycel lowers blood cells, which help fight infection and clot your blood. You could get an infection more easily or bleed. If you notice unusual bleeding or bruising or signs of an infection (fever, chills, body aches), call your doctor.

Sprycel users have been diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a serious but rare condition. If not treated promptly, PAH can be fatal. Speak to your doctor regarding your risk of PAH. Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication. Inform your healthcare providers of all medical conditions you have, any allergies, and the medicines you are using.

Before you take this drug

People who use Sprycel may develop a serious but rare condition called pulmonary hypertension. This occurs when the blood pressure inside your arteries increases. It is harder for the heart to pump blood through the lungs. This also weakens the muscles of the heart. If not treated promptly, PAH can become fatal.

Sprycel may not be safe for you if:

• A weak immune system, caused by illness or certain medications.
• Stomach or intestinal bleeding
• Liver disease
• Heart disease
• Low levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood could indicate low health levels in general.
• Long-QT syndrome
• Lung disease;
• Lactose intolerance.

Dasatinib can harm an unborn child. A pregnancy test may be necessary to confirm that you are not pregnant. Sprycel should be used with effective birth control for 30 days following your last dose. As soon as you become pregnant, inform your physician immediately.

Sprycel may reduce the likelihood of pregnancy for either the mother or father. Men and women alike should use birth control to avoid pregnancy, as the medicine may harm an unborn child. Dasatinib is not known to pass into breast milk or to harm a baby who is nursing. Sprycel should not be taken while breastfeeding or for 2 weeks following your last dose.

Similar/related drugs

Prednisone, methotrexate, dexamethasone, triamcinolone, decadron, hydroxyurea, and cyclophosphamide

How to take Sprycel?

Sprycel should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor. Take Sprycel exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally alter your dosage. Use this medication only as prescribed. Do not exceed the prescribed dose or take for longer than prescribed. Sprycel can be taken with or without food. Take Sprycel at the same time every day.

Sprycel tablets should not be crushed, chewed, or broken. The tablet should be swallowed whole. Speak to your doctor if your child is unable to swallow the tablet.

Avoid taking a broken pill. A crushed or broken tablet can cause serious harm if the medicine gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or skin. Wash your skin or rinse your eyes with water if this happens. When handling a cracked tablet or capsule, wear rubber gloves. Ask your pharmacist or doctor how to safely dispose of the broken pill. Pregnant women should not touch a broken tablet.

Sprycel lowers blood cells, which help your body fight infections and clot your blood. You will have to test your blood frequently. These tests may delay your cancer treatment. Sprycel should not be stopped or changed without consulting your doctor. Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.

Details on dosage

Adult dose for leukemia:

Chronic phase CML
Take 100 mg once daily.
Duration of treatment: until the disease progresses or until the patient becomes intolerant.
All: Accelerated phase CML (myeloid or lymphoid blast phase CML)
Take 140 mg once daily.
Duration of treatment: Until the patient becomes intolerant or the disease progresses
Comments:
This drug should be administered at the lowest dose possible to maximize therapeutic effect and minimize side effects.
The effect of stopping therapy once a complete cytogenetic reaction is achieved hasn't been studied.
Uses: Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia, myeloid blast phase, lymphoid, or myeloid blast phase; Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic cancer

What happens if I miss the dose?

If it is close to time for your next dose, skip any missed ones. Do not take multiple doses at the same time.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.

What should be avoided?

Grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and grapefruit juice can interact with dasatinib to cause unwanted side effects. Sprycel should not be taken with grapefruit products. Sprycel should not be taken within 2 hours of taking an antacid. Some antacids may make dasatinib less absorbable. Avoid being around people who are ill or infected. If you notice any signs of an infection, tell your doctor immediately.

This medicine may pass into bodily fluids (urine, feces, or vomit). Rubber gloves should be worn by caregivers when cleaning up the body fluids of a patient, changing diapers, or handling contaminated laundry or trash.Before and after taking off gloves, hands should be washed thoroughly with warm soapy water to thoroughly cleanse their pores and ensure maximum hygiene. Separately, wash soiled linens and clothing.

Side effects of Sprycel

Sprycel can cause an allergic reaction if it causes hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or severe skin reactions (fever or sore throat with burning eyes, skin pain or blistering, or a red or purple rash).

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

• Feeling tired or short of breath (even after mild exercise)
• You may experience swelling in your lower legs or abdomen, as well as in your feet.
• Blue lips and skin
• A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.

Call your doctor immediately if you:

• Severe ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
• Joint or muscle pain, severe headaches, and extreme fatigue;
• Shortness of breath; pain when breathing (especially when lying flat);
• Weight gain and swelling
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, pounding or fluttering heartbeats, vision problems, or slurred words
• Easy bruising or bleeding (nose or mouth, vagina or rectum), or pinpoint purple or pink spots under the skin
• Liver problems: itching, fatigue, dark urine, clay-colored stools, loss of appetite (upper right), stomach pain, and tiredness.
• Other signs of bleeding: blood in urine, bloody or black stools, vomiting blood or coffee grounds-like vomit, confusion, headache, difficulty speaking;
• Low blood cell counts: fever, chills, fatigue, flu-like symptoms; mouth sores or skin sores Pale skin, cold feet, and cold hands
• Signs and symptoms of tumor cell breakdown: fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; fast or slow heartbeats; tingling or numbness in the hands, feet, or mouth.

Sprycel can affect the growth of children. If your child's growth isn't normal while taking this medicine, tell your doctor.

Sprycel may cause side effects such as:

• Nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain;
• Muscle pain;
• Breathing problems
• Skin rash
• Feeling tired?

There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.

Interaction with other drug

It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, which can increase side effects and make them less effective. Sprycel can increase your risk of bleeding that is severe or fatal, particularly if you are also taking a blood thinner.

Dasatinib can interact with many drugs, and certain drugs shouldn't be taken together. These include prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions. Inform your doctor of all the medications you are currently taking and those that you will stop or start using.