Dasanix

Uses
Dasanix (Dasatinib) is a new cancer drug used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). It can also be used to treat Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). Dasatinib is classified as a Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor and Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Dosage and Administration
Dasanix comes in a pack of 30 tablets, each containing 100mg of dasatinib.

Your doctor will prescribe you a specific dose. Take only this dosage and follow all other instructions given by your doctor.

Dasanix is a once-daily medicine. It can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the tablets. Dasatinib should not be taken with grapefruit juice.

Only stop taking Dasanix if advised to do so by your doctor.

Side effects
Dasanix can cause some side effects. These are mostly rare, but you should be aware of these risks. If you notice any signs of these side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

Low blood cell counts are common with Dasatinib and can be severe, including low red blood cell counts (anemia), low white blood cell counts (neutropenia), and low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). Your doctor will do blood tests to check your blood cell counts regularly during your treatment with Dasatinib. Call your doctor right away if you have a fever or any signs of an infection during treatment with Dasatinib.

Dasatinib may cause severe bleeding that can lead to death. Call your doctor right away if you expreience unusual bleeding or bruising of your skin, bright red or dark tar-like stools or decreased alertness, headache, or change in speech.

Fluid retention is common with Dasatinib and can sometimes be severe. In severe cases, fluid may build up in the lining of your lungs, the sac around your heart, or your stomach cavity. Call your doctor right away if you get symptoms of fluid retention including swelling all over your body, weight gain, shortness of breath and cough (especially with low levels of physical activity or at rest), or chest pain when taking a deep breath.

Dasatinib may cause an abnormal heart rate, heart problems, or a heart attack that can lead to death. Your doctor will monitor the potassium and magnesium levels in your blood, and your heart function.

Dasatinib may cause high blood pressure in the vessels of your lungs. (Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension) PAH may happen at any time during your treatment with Dasatinib. Your doctor should check your heart and lungs before and during your treatment with Dasatinib. Call your doctor right away if you have shortness of breath, tiredness, or swelling all over your body (fluid retention).

Dasatinib may cause skin reactions that can sometimes be severe. Get medical help right away if you get a skin reaction with fever, sore mouth or throat, or blistering or peeling of your skin or in the mouth.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS) is caused by a fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure and an abnormal heart beat. Kidney failure may require the need for dialysis treatment. Your doctor may do blood tests to check you for TLS.

Precautions
Some conditions can prevent Dasanix from working properly, or can be a risk with taking dasatinib. Tell your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

• problems with your immune system
• liver problems
• heart problems, including a condition called congenital long QT syndrome
• low potassium or low magnesium levels in your blood
• lactose intolerance
• pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed

Make sure your doctor know of any other products you are currently taking, as some of these will interact unfavourably with Dasanix. This inlcudes any prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, herbal remedies or nutritional supplements.