Dasatinib

Drug Name: Dasatinib

Drug Class: It is a targeted therapy drug

Available under the brand name: Sprycel

What Is It Prescribed For? 

• Ph-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML; blood cell cancer that begins in the bone marrow)
• Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL; a kind of blood and bone marrow cancer that affects white blood cells)
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST)

How Is It Given? 

It is available in tablet form and is prescribed to take once a day. It should be taken at around the same time every day with or without food.

What Are Common Side Effects?

You may face some of these side effects:

• Low blood count
• Bleeding complications
• Fluid retention
• Muscle pain
• Rashes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Lack of sleep
• Tiredness
• Infections

Your doctor can prescribe medication to control these side effects. Dasatinib may also cause other side effects. If you face any unusual or serious problems, inform your doctor immediately. 

Who Should Avoid Taking This Drug?

None

How Much Does This Drug Cost?

Available in 20mg, 50mg, 70mg, 80mg, 100mg, and 140mg tablets. Depending on the brand, the cost of Dasatinib 50mg can range between INR 3500 – INR 2,00,000 for a bottle of 60 tablets.