Dasatinib Viatris (Dasatinib)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Dasatinib Viatris Used For?
Dasatinib Viatris is a targeted cancer medication that works by blocking specific proteins responsible for the uncontrolled growth of leukemia cells.
Primary Uses
Dasatinib Viatris is used to treat adults aged 18 years and older with: newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase; chronic, accelerated or myeloid or lymphoid blast phase chronic myeloid leukemia with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy including imatinib; Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy.
How It Works
Dasatinib works by inhibiting the activity of proteins within the leukemia cells. These proteins are responsible for the uncontrolled growth of the leukemia cells. By blocking these proteins, dasatinib kills the leukemia cells in the bone marrow and allows normal red cell, white cell and platelet production to resume.
Good to know: This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription and belongs to a specialized group of medicines called protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
How to Take Dasatinib Viatris
Take your tablets consistently at the same time each day, either in the morning or evening. It doesn’t matter if you take this medicine before or after food.
Dosage Instructions
The usual starting dose is 100 mg once daily (either as one 100 mg tablet or two 50 mg tablets). Some patients may require an alternative starting dose of 140 mg daily taken as two 70 mg tablets. The entire dose should be taken at one time. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water. Do not break, cut, chew or crush the tablet. Do not take with grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. This may increase the chance of getting unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- headache, dizziness, numbness or tingling in arms, legs, fingers or toes, altered taste
- diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
- shortness of breath, cough, accumulation of fluid in or around the lungs, pneumonia, chest pain
- infection, fever
- abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, constipation, indigestion
- high blood pressure
- mouth ulcers
- skin rash, dermatitis (including eczema), dry skin, itching or peeling skin, flushing
- hair loss
- visual disturbances: blurry or diminished vision, dry eye
- fatigue
- swelling of the liver, abdomen, hands, lower legs, feet or face
- back pain, bone pain, joint pain, pain in fingers or toes, muscle aches or spasm, muscle weakness
- weight decrease, appetite disturbance
- gout
- conjunctivitis
- tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- accumulation of fluid, foamy urine, weight gain (nephrotic syndrome)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- swelling, weight gain, shortness of breath or chest pain
- swelling around your eyes
- skin infection – folliculitis, herpes
- shortness of breath and fatigue
- dark colored urine or yellowing of skin and eyes, nausea, loss of appetite, light-colored bowel movements
- changes in heartbeat, such as beating faster
- bleeding from gastrointestinal tract, eye, nose, gums, serious bruising or excessive menstrual bleeding
- infections – urinary tract, eye infection, difficulty breathing, coughing
- fever
- painful rash with blisters
- reduction in red blood cells (may cause fatigue or dizziness)
- reduction in white blood cells (used to fight infection)
- reduction in cells that help blood clot after injury
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Dasatinib Viatris.
Who Should Not Take Dasatinib Viatris
Do not use if you are allergic to dasatinib or any of the ingredients. Do not give this medicine to a child under the age of 18 years. Do not use if the expiry date has passed or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had: problems with your immune system, liver problems, heart problems, lactose intolerance, hepatitis B infection. Also inform your doctor if you have allergies to other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes, have recently been vaccinated or plan to get a vaccination, are planning surgery or anesthetic, or are receiving dental treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Dasatinib Viatris can cause harm to the unborn baby. Men who take Dasatinib Viatris are advised to use a condom to avoid pregnancy in their partner. Women who are taking Dasatinib Viatris should not breast-feed.
Pregnancy Warning: This medication can cause serious harm to unborn babies. Both men and women must use effective contraception during treatment.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Dasatinib Viatris and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Do not take Dasatinib Viatris with grapefruit or grapefruit juice as it may increase dasatinib levels in your blood.
- Medicines that may increase dasatinib levels: ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, ritonavir, atazanavir, lopinavir
- Medicines that may decrease dasatinib levels: dexamethasone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampicin, phenobarbital, St John’s wort
- Medicines that reduce stomach acid: antacids, histamine-2 antagonists, proton pump inhibitors (famotidine, omeprazole)
- Blood thinning medicines: warfarin, aspirin, NSAIDs (may increase bleeding risk)
- Oral diabetes medicines from the glitazone family
- Medicines that neutralize stomach acid: aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate
- Other medicines: ciclosporin, simvastatin, astemizole, terfenadine, cisapride, pimozide, quinidine, bepridil, ergot alkaloids
Alcohol & Driving
Dasatinib Viatris may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings were mentioned in the source material. However, consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Dasatinib Viatris has been known to cause dizziness or lightheadedness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to Dasatinib Viatris before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy.
Storage
Keep Dasatinib Viatris tablets in the pack until it is time to take them. Store in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Dasatinib Viatris, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source material does not specify how long it takes for Dasatinib Viatris to work. Your doctor will monitor your progress with routine laboratory tests to evaluate your blood counts and see how well the medication is working for you.
Yes, it does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food. However, you should not take it with grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
The source material does not mention addiction or dependency issues with Dasatinib Viatris. It is a targeted cancer medication, not a controlled substance.
Do not stop taking Dasatinib Viatris or lower the dosage without first talking with your doctor. This medicine helps to control your condition but does not cure it. It is important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well.
The source material does not provide specific information about alcohol consumption while taking Dasatinib Viatris. You should discuss alcohol use with your doctor.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your medicine normally. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
No, you must swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water. Do not break, cut, chew or crush the tablet.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.