Dasatinib

Say it: duh-SA-tih-nib · Brand names: Sprycel, Phyrago

Dasatinib is a targeted pill that blocks the abnormal protein that drives some leukemias.

What it is

In chronic myeloid leukemia, two genes join to make an abnormal protein called BCR-ABL. It tells blood cells to grow out of control. Dasatinib blocks BCR-ABL more strongly than older pills.

Often used for

• chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
• acute lymphoblastic leukemia with the Philadelphia chromosome

How you get it

It is a pill you take by mouth once a day, with or without food. Many people take it for years. Your schedule may be different.

Common side effects and what helps

• Fluid around the lungs, which can cause shortness of breath or cough. Tell your team about any new breathing changes.
• Low blood counts, which raise your risk of infection and bleeding. Wash your hands often.
• Diarrhea. Drink plenty of fluids.
• Headache. Ask your team what pain medicine is safe for you.
• Rash. Use gentle soap and moisturizer.
• Feeling tired. Rest when you need to and take short walks when you can.
• Nausea or swelling in the legs. Tell your team if it bothers you.

Call your care team right away if you have

• Shortness of breath, cough, or chest pain
• A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, chills, or other signs of infection
• Bleeding that will not stop, black or bloody stools, or coughing up blood
• A fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat, or feeling like you might faint
• Fast weight gain or swelling
• Skin that blisters or peels

Before you start, tell your team

• If you take medicines for heartburn or stomach acid
• If you have heart or lung problems
• If you take blood thinners or aspirin
• If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
• All the medicines, vitamins, and herbal products you take, since some can change how this medicine works

Good to know

• You will have blood counts checked often, especially in the first few months.
• Fluid can build up around the lungs. You may need chest x-rays.
• Rarely, it causes high pressure in the lung blood vessels. Your team watches for this.
• Antacids should be taken at least 2 hours before or after it. Other acid medicines can make it work less well.
• In children, it can affect bone growth.

At home

• Take it at about the same time each day.
• Swallow the pills whole with water. Do not crush, chew, or split them unless your team says it is OK.
• If you miss a dose or throw up after a dose, ask your team what to do. Do not take an extra dose on your own.
• Store the pills at room temperature in their original container, away from children and pets.
• Wash your hands after touching the pills. Ask your team if others in your home should take special care.
• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice, since it can raise the amount of medicine in your blood.

Questions to ask

• How long will I take this medicine?
• How often will I have blood tests to check how well it is working?
• Are any of my other medicines, foods, or supplements a problem with this medicine?
• What should I do if I miss a dose?
• Which side effects should I call you about right away, and which can wait?

Side effect guides

• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Low white blood cells and infection risk
• Low platelets and bleeding
• Skin rash (including EGFR-inhibitor rash)
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Pain

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.