Sprycel Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

Chronic myeloid leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects myeloid cells, from which various types of mature blood cells (e.g. red blood cells, platelets, and most types of white blood cells) are later formed.

The condition progresses slowly, often without symptoms in the early stages. As the disease progresses, patients may feel very tired and experience easy bruising. Fever, bone pain, night sweats, and shortness of breath are additional symptoms.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Acute lymphocytic leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. The disease usually progresses rapidly, affecting the production of white blood cells in the body. Symptoms include fever, bone pain, pale skin, frequent infections, and bleeding from the gums.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia is one of the most common types of cancer in children, though adults can also be affected.

Sprycel Active Ingredient

Sprycel contains the active ingredient dasatinib, which belongs to a class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Sprycel blocks certain proteins in the body, which stimulate cancer cells to grow.

Generic Sprycel Alternative

Generic alternatives to Sprycel are not yet available on this website.

General Drug Information

What Is Sprycel and What Is It Used For

Sprycel is prescribed to patients with chronic myeloid leukemia or acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Sprycel slows or stops the growth of cancer cells.

Usage and Application

Before sourcing Sprycel online, please read the medication guide provided by your doctor or pharmacist. Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements you are already taking.

Patients are usually directed to take Sprycel by mouth, either with or without food. Most patients take the medication once daily. Dosage is dependent on the patient’s medical condition, response to treatment, laboratory tests, and other medications they may be taking. In children, the dosage is also based on weight.

Sprycel should be swallowed whole. Patients should not crush, chew, or break the tablets.

Patients should not increase their dose, nor should they use Sprycel more often or for longer than prescribed. Their condition will not improve any faster, and the risk of serious side effects increases.

It is important to avoid taking antacids (e.g. aluminum, magnesium hydroxide, and Caltrate) two hours before or after taking Sprycel. Antacids prevent the body from fully absorbing Sprycel.

Grapefruit can increase the risk of negative side effects when consumed with Sprycel. Patients should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice unless told otherwise by their doctor or pharmacist.

Sprycel can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby. Women who are pregnant – or who may become pregnant – should not handle Sprycel or breathe any dust from the tablets.

Considerations Before Taking Sprycel

Before starting treatment, patients should tell their doctor if they are allergic to Sprycel. The tablets may also contain inactive ingredients – like lactose – which can cause allergic reactions.

It is important to discuss a patient’s medical history, especially liver problems like hepatitis B and heart problems like an irregular heartbeat. Patients should report any bleeding problems or recent infections.

Sprycel may cause QT prolongation, a condition that affects the heart rhythm. In rare cases, QT prolongation can lead to serious, possibly fatal, irregular heartbeat. Severe dizziness and fainting are also possible. Patients should seek immediate medical attention in the event of such problems.

People with certain pre-existing conditions like heart failure and slow heartbeat are more at risk of developing QT prolongation. Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase a patient’s risk, as does the use of diuretics and having a family history of sudden cardiac death.

Patients with conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, and vomiting face an elevated risk.

Sprycel may weaken the body’s ability to fight infections and can worsen existing infections. Patients should avoid contact with people who have contagious infections like chickenpox, measles, and flu. Consult your doctor in the event you have been exposed.

Patients should not have any immunizations without the prior consent of their doctor. Patients should also avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines like the flu vaccine which is inhaled through the nose.

Use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports to lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured.

Sprycel may stunt a child's bone growth and development. Parents should consult the treating physician or pharmacist for more details.

Older adults may be more sensitive to some of the negative side effects of Sprycel, especially diarrhea, unusual tiredness, and sudden or unexplained weight gain. Older patients may also be more likely to experience QT prolongation, shortness of breath, and swelling of the hands, ankles, and/or feet.

Female patients must discuss reliable forms of birth control with their doctor. Women should take measures to prevent pregnancy while they are being treated with Sprycel – and for 30 days after the end of treatment – as the medication may harm an unborn baby. Alert your physician if you think you may be expecting.

Sprycel can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and should not be handled by pregnant women or by women who may become pregnant. Such women should also take measures to avoid breathing dust from the tablets.

It is not known whether Sprycel passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding while using this medication is not recommended, and women should avoid breastfeeding for two weeks after stopping treatment.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Sprycel should take it as soon as they remember. If it is already time for the next dose, they should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double their dose to catch up.

Other Medications and Sprycel

Drug interactions may change the way Sprycel functions, increasing the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so.

Sprycel may cause bruising and/or bleeding and should not be taken together with other drugs which can have a similar effect. Examples include antiplatelet drugs like Plavix, NSAIDs like Motrin and EC- Naprosyn, and blood thinners such as Coumadin and Pradaxa.

Negative interactions are possible with stomach acid reducers. Examples include antacids, H2 blockers (e.g. Pepcid AC and Zantac), and proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec.

Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding when used with Sprycel. If your doctor advises you to take low doses of aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke, you should continue to do so. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Certain medications can affect the removal of Sprycel from the body, affecting how it works. Examples include azole antifungals (e.g. Sporanox and Nizoral), rifamycins (e.g. Rifadin and Mycobutin), and macrolide antibiotics like Biaxin. The corticosteroid dexamethasone has a similar effect as does the HIV drug Invirase, antibiotic Ketek, and the herb St. John's wort.

Adverse Reactions

Patients using Sprycel may experience serious side effects. However, patients are prescribed this drug because the treating physician has judged that the benefits of treatment are greater than the risks. Careful monitoring can help to decrease the risk of negative side effects.

Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach pain, as well as muscle and/or joint pain. Contact your doctor or pharmacist should any of these effects last or worsen.

Serious side effects include a dry cough, weight gain, shortness of breath, and swelling and/or pain in the hands, ankles and/or feet. Patients should contact their doctor in the event of such symptoms.

Patients should seek immediate medical help if they experience very serious side effects such as fainting, confusion, severe dizziness, chest pain, and weakness on one side of the body. Patients should also monitor for vomit that looks like coffee grounds, black or bloody stools, and fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.

To lower the risk of tumor lysis syndrome, some patients may be directed to take additional medications and drink plenty of fluids. Patients should monitor for symptoms of tumor lysis syndrome: flank pain, muscle spasms or weakness, and signs of kidney problems like painful urination, pink or bloody urine, and changes in urine production.

Sprycel decreases bone marrow function, which can reduce the number of blood cells. This effect can cause anemia and decrease the body's ability to fight infection. Patients may also experience symptoms like unusual tiredness, pale skin, and easy bruising and/or bleeding. It is important to monitor for signs of infection like fever, chills, and a sore throat that doesn't go away.

Serious allergic reactions to Sprycel are rare, yet patients should be aware of allergic symptoms such as rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, tongue, and throat), severe dizziness, and trouble breathing. Patients should seek immediate medical assistance if they experience such symptoms.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Patients should contact their doctor or pharmacist if they notice other effects not listed above.

How to Store Sprycel

Sprycel should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Do not refrigerate. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.