Drug Formulary information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be medical advice. Some of the information, including information about funding for cancer drugs, does not apply to all patients. Cancer treatment plans are unique to each patient. If you are a patient, please speak with your healthcare team to understand how this information applies to you.
daSATinib
Dasatinib inhibits multiple tyrosine kinases including BCR-ABL (including mutations other than T315I), SRC family, c-KIT, ephrin (EPH) receptor, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR-β). Kinase inhibition halts proliferation of leukemia cells. Dasatinib has activity in preclinical models against imatinib resistant models.
Pharmacokinetics are linear with increasing dosage.
| Bioavailability | Rapidly absorbed following oral administration. The adjusted geometric mean ratio was 0.84 for AUC in healthy adults who received tablets dispersed in juice (compared with intact tablets). |
| Peak plasma levels | 0.25-6 hours |
| Effects with food | Food did not result in a clinically significant change in exposure. |
Dasatinib is extensively distributed throughout the body with a large volume of distribution.
| PPB |
Yes (96% to parent drug and 93% to active metabolite) |
Dasatinib is extensively metabolized primarily by CYP3A4. Flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO-3) and uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes are also involved in the formation of metabolites.
| Active metabolites | Yes, minor role in overall pharmacologic activity. |
| Inactive metabolites |
Yes |
| Half-life |
3-5 hours (terminal) |
| Urine |
4%; 0.1 % as unchanged drug |
| Feces | 85%; 19% as unchanged drug |
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
- Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
Refer to the product monograph for a full list and details of approved indications.
Emetogenic Potential:
Extravasation Potential: Not applicable
The following table contains adverse effects reported for imatinib resistant or intolerant chronic phase CML treatment using 100 mg per day in phase 3 studies.
| ORGAN SITE | SIDE EFFECT* (%) | ONSET** | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auditory | Other - Hearing loss including tinnitus, vertigo (< 5%) | E | |||
| Cardiovascular | Arrhythmia (8%) (palpitations, tachycardia; atrial/ventricular arrhythmia - rare) | E | |||
| Arterial thromboembolism (<1%) | E | ||||
| Cardiotoxicity (4%) | E D | ||||
| Hypertension (9%) | E | ||||
| Myocarditis (<1%) | E | ||||
| Pericardial effusion (1%) (severe) | E | ||||
| Pericarditis (<1%) | E | ||||
| Pulmonary hypertension (5%) | E D L | ||||
| QT interval prolonged (<1%) | E | ||||
| Venous thromboembolism (<5%) | E | ||||
| Dermatological | Alopecia (8%) | E | |||
| Dry skin (6%) | E | ||||
| Erythema multiforme (rare) | E | ||||
| Hyperhidrosis (10%) | E | ||||
| Photosensitivity (<5%) | E | ||||
| Rash, pruritus (33%) | I E | ||||
| Stevens-Johnson syndrome (rare) | E | ||||
| Gastrointestinal | Abdominal pain (24%) | E | |||
| Anorexia (7%) | E | ||||
| Constipation (18%) | E | ||||
| Diarrhea (42%) (4% severe) | I E | ||||
| Dyspepsia (8%) (or gastritis) | E | ||||
| GI ulcer (<1%) | E | ||||
| Mucositis (10%) | E | ||||
| Nausea, vomiting (22%) | I E | ||||
| Weight changes (11%) | E D | ||||
| General | Fatigue (37%) | E | |||
| Fluid retention (28%) (pleural and pericardial effusions, 5% severe) | E D L | ||||
| Hematological | Hemorrhage (27%) (including GI, CNS; 3% severe) | E D | |||
| Myelosuppression (36%) (severe) | E | ||||
| Other (<1%) (Coagulopathy) | E | ||||
| Pure red cell aplasia (<1%) | E | ||||
| Thrombotic microangiopathy (rare) | E | ||||
| Hepatobiliary | Cholecystitis (<1%) | E | |||
| ↑ LFTs (<1%) (severe) | E | ||||
| Pancreatitis (<1%) | E | ||||
| Hypersensitivity | Hypersensitivity (5%) (1% severe) | I | |||
| Infection | Infection (48%) (severe, including atypical infections, viral re-activation) | E | |||
| Metabolic / Endocrine | Abnormal electrolyte(s) (10%) (↓ Ca, K, PO4 grade 3-4) | E | |||
| Hyperuricemia (5%) | E | ||||
| Tumour lysis syndrome (<1%) | I E | ||||
| Musculoskeletal | Musculoskeletal pain (48%) (including spasms) | E | |||
| Rhabdomyolysis (<1%) | E | ||||
| Nervous System | Anxiety (5%) | E | |||
| Confusion (<5%) | E | ||||
| Depression (11%) | E | ||||
| Dizziness (16%) | E | ||||
| Dysgeusia (<5%) | E | ||||
| Headache (48%) | I E | ||||
| Insomnia (12%) | E | ||||
| Neuropathy (14%) | E | ||||
| Seizure (<5%) | E | ||||
| Ophthalmic | Conjunctivitis (<5%) | E | |||
| Eye disorders (7%) | E | ||||
| Renal | Proteinuria (<1%) (including nephrotic syndrome) | E | |||
| Renal failure (6%) (observed with 140mg daily) | E | ||||
| Reproductive and breast disorders | Gynecomastia (<5%) | E | |||
| Irregular menstruation (<1%) | E | ||||
| Respiratory | Cough, dyspnea (34%) | E | |||
| Pneumonitis (<5%) | E | ||||
* "Incidence" may refer to an absolute value or the higher value from a reported range.
"Rare"
may refer to events with < 1% incidence, reported in post-marketing, phase 1 studies,
isolated data or anecdotal
reports.
** I = immediate (onset in hours to days)
E = early (days to weeks)
D = delayed (weeks to months)
L = late (months to years)
The most common side effects for dasatinib include headache, infection, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, myelosuppression, cough/dyspnea, rash/pruritus, fluid retention and hemorrhage.
Severe myelosuppression is common, especially in patients with advanced CML and Ph+ ALL. Severe febrile neutropenia (including fatal outcomes) was reported. Myelosuppression was generally reversible after a short hold with or without dose reduction.
Dasatinib may cause severe or fatal bleeding (including CNS); the most frequent hemorrhage site was gastrointestinal. Fatal bleeds have been reported more than 30 days after treatment discontinuation. Most bleeding events in clinical studies were associated with severe thrombocytopenia, although dasatinib may also cause platelet dysfunction.
Fluid retention is common (up to 47% after 5 years), may be severe, and can result in pleural and pericardial effusions, pulmonary edema, congestive heart failure, and ascites. Paracentesis may be required. Fluid retention may be managed by supportive care measures that include diuretics or short courses of steroids.
Pulmonary hypertension has been described and may present after more than 1 year of treatment with non-specific symptoms such as fatigue and dyspnea. If suspected, treatment with dasatinib should be held during investigation.
Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been reported in patients who received BCR-ABL TKI’s and are chronic carriers of HBV. Some cases resulted in acute hepatic failure or fulminant hepatitis leading to liver transplantation or a fatal outcome. Patients should be tested for HBV infection prior to initiating treatment. Carriers of HBV must be monitored for signs and symptoms of active HBV infection throughout therapy and for several months following termination of therapy.
Refer to protocol by which patient is being treated.
Screen for hepatitis B virus in all cancer patients starting systemic treatment. Refer to the hepatitis B virus screening and management guideline.
Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia should be corrected before starting dasatinib.
Patients should be tested for HBV infection prior to initiating treatment.
Patients should be evaluated for signs and symptoms of underlying cardiopulmonary disease prior to initiating treatment.
|
Indication |
Starting Dose (mg; PO once daily) |
Escalation
(if hematologic or cytogenetic response not achieved)
(mg; PO once daily)
|
|
Chronic phase CML |
100 |
May escalate to 140 |
|
All other |
140 |
May escalate to 180 |
| Dose Level | Dasatinib Dose (mg; PO once daily ) | |
| Chronic phase CML | Accelerated, blast phase CML; Ph+ALL | |
| 0 | 100 | 140 |
| -1 | 80 | 100 |
| -2 | 50 | 80 |
|
Indication
|
Blood Counts (x 109/L) |
Action (Blood Counts x 109/L)
|
|
Chronic phase CML
|
ANC <0.5
and/or
Platelets <50
|
|
|
Accelerated or blast phase CML; Ph+ALL |
ANC <0.5
and/or
Platelets <10
|
If related to leukemia (bone marrow biopsy), consider ↑ to 180 mg OD. If unrelated:
|
Dosage with non-hematologic toxicity:
|
Toxicity |
Grade |
Action |
|
Fluid retention |
Any |
Hold if appropriate until recovery and treat with diuretics, short courses of steroids or other supportive measures. Consider dose reduction or treatment discontinuation. |
|
Pulmonary hypertension |
Any |
Hold and investigate. Discontinue if confirmed. |
|
Mucocutaneous skin reactions |
Severe or any grade SJS |
Discontinue (if no other etiology). |
|
Other non-hematologic toxicity |
Grade 2 |
Hold until recovery. First occurrence: resume at same dose level. Second occurrence: resume at ↓ 1 dose level. |
| ≥ Grade 3 | Hold until recovery. Restart at a reduced dose if appropriate. |
Dose Reduction for concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors:
| Current Dasatinib Dose (mg/daily) | Reduced Dasatinib Dose (mg/daily)* |
| 140 | 40 |
| 100 | 20 |
| 70 | 20 |
| 60 | Hold until the inhibitor is discontinued. Allow a washout period of approximately 1 week after the inhibitor is stopped before restarting dasatinib. |
| 40 |
*If dasatinib is not tolerated after dose reduction, discontinue the strong CYP3A4 inhibitor or hold dasatinib until the inhibitor is discontinued. Allow a washout period of approximately 1 week after the inhibitor is stopped before dasatinib dose is increased.
Dasatinib has not been studied in hepatic impairment within the indicated dosing range. Hepatic metabolism / excretion is significant; caution should be exercised and dose modification considered especially for moderate or severe hepatic impairment.
Studies in renal impairment have not been conducted. However, since <4% of dasatinib and metabolites are renally excreted and a reduction in dasatinib clearance is not expected.
No dose adjustment is required. Patients ≥ 65 years of age are more likely to experience commonly reported adverse events, such as diarrhea, fatigue, cough, dyspnea, fluid retention (including pericardial and pleural effusion), dizziness, pneumonia, hypertension, arrhythmia, heart failure, and gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as less frequently reported events such as pulmonary edema, lung infiltration, arthritis and urinary frequency. Imatinib resistant or intolerant chronic phase CML patients are less likely to have major cytogenetic response. Monitor closely.
Not recommended for use in children < 18 years, since safety and effectiveness have not been established in these patients. Do not use in children < 2 years of age as increased toxicity and mortality have been observed in young animals.
-
Swallow tablet whole with or without food once daily.
-
Tablets should not be crushed or cut.
-
Antacids should be avoided; if required, they should be taken up to 2 hours before or 2 hours after the administration of dasatinib.
-
Avoid grapefruit, starfruit, Seville oranges, their juices or products during treatment.
-
If a dose is missed, skip this and give the next dose as scheduled. Do not double the dose to make up for the forgotten one.
-
Pregnant women should avoid exposure to crushed and/or broken tablets.
-
Store at room temperature (15°C to 30°C).
- Patients with hypersensitivity to dasatinib or its components
- Breastfeeding women
- Contains lactose; carefully consider use in patients with hereditary galactose intolerance, severe lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
- Consultation with a liver disease expert is recommended prior to starting dasatinib in chronic HBV carriers (including those with active disease), and for patients who test positive for HBV infection while on treatment.
- Dasatinib and its metabolite may prolong the QT interval, and should be used with caution in patients at risk, such as those with hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, congenital long QT syndrome, on antiarrhythmic therapy or other medications that may lead to QT prolongation, or in patients who have received cumulative high-dose anthracyclines.
- Use with caution in patients with uncontrolled or significant cardiovascular disease as they were excluded from clinical trials. Adverse cardiac events were more frequent in patients with cardiovascular risk factors or a previous medical history of cardiac disease.
- Exercise caution in patients at risk of bleeding or who are taking concurrent anticoagulants, as dasatinib has been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation and increase bleeding time. Patients with a history of significant bleeding disorder unrelated to CML were excluded from dasatinib clinical studies.
- Patients with pre-existing pleural effusion were excluded from phase III studies.
- Use with extreme caution when fluid loading/transfusing.
Other Drug Properties:
-
Carcinogenicity:
Documented in animals
-
Clastogenicity:
Yes
-
Embryotoxicity:
Yes
-
Fetotoxicity:
Yes
-
Teratogenicity:
Yes
-
Pregnancy:
- Dasatinib is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Adequate contraception should be used by patients and their partners during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose (general recommendation).
- Spontaneous abortion and fetal/infant anomalies have been reported post-marketing.
-
Breastfeeding:
Contraindicated
-
Fertility effects:
Probable
Documented in animal studies in female animals
Dasatinib is primarily metabolized by CYP3A4 and is susceptible to interactions with inhibitors and inducers of this isoenzyme. Dasatinib is not an inducer of CYP enzymes, and does not inhibit CYP 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, or 2E1, but does inhibit CYP3A4.
| AGENT | EFFECT | MECHANISM | MANAGEMENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| CYP3A4 inhibitors (i.e. ketoconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, fruit or juice from grapefruit, Seville oranges or starfruit) | ↑ dasatinib exposure (up to 5-fold with ketoconazole) | ↓ dasatinib metabolism | Avoid concomitant usage with strong inhibitors; consider dasatinib dose reduction if a strong CYP3A4 cannot be discontinued. See Dosage with Toxicity for dasatinib dose reductions. |
| CYP3A4 inducers (i.e. phenytoin, rifampin, dexamethasone, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, St. John’s Wort, etc) | ↓ dasatinib exposure and concentration (~80% with rifampin); QT ↑ observed when dasatinib and rifampin were taken 12h apart | ↑ dasatinib metabolism | Avoid concomitant usage with strong inducers; consider alternative agents with less enzyme induction potential. |
| CYP3A4 substrates with narrow therapeutic index (i.e. macrolide antibiotics, benzodiazepine, pimozide, quinidine, ergot alkaloids, cyclosporine) | ↑ substrates’ concentrations (20% ↑ observed with simvastatin) | Dasatinib inhibits CYP3A4 | Caution. The effect of a CYP3A4 substrate on the pharmacokinetic parameters of dasatinib has not been studied. |
| Drugs that prolong QT interval (simvastatin -CYP3A4 substrate as well) | additive effects | QT interval prolongation | Avoid concomitant usage if possible. |
| H2 blockers/ proton pump inhibitors (i.e. famotidine, omeprazole) | ↓ dasatinib exposure and concentration (~60% with famotidine) | Suppression of gastric acid decreases bioavailability of dasatinib | Avoid concomitant usage; consider the use of antacid instead (e.g. aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide) ≥ 2hrs before or after dasatinib |
| Antacids (i.e. aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide) | ↓ dasatinib exposure and concentration (~ 55%) | Suppression of gastric acid decreases bioavailability of dasatinib | Administer up to 2h before or 2h after the administration of dasatinib |
| Drugs that affect coagulation or inhibit platelet function | ↑ bleeding risk | Additive with dasatinib’s effect on ↑ platelet aggregation time | Caution; anticoagulants, NSAIDs, aspirin used in clinical trials if platelets > 50 x 10^9/L |
Treating physicians may decide to monitor more or less frequently for individual patients but should always consider recommendations from the product monograph.
Refer to the hepatitis B virus screening and management guideline for monitoring during and after treatment.
| Monitor Type | Monitor Frequency |
|---|---|
CBC |
Chronic phase CML: baseline and every 2 weeks for 12 weeks, then every 3 months or as clinically indicated. Advanced phase CML or Ph+ALL: baseline and weekly for the first 8 weeks, then monthly or as clinically indicated |
Liver and renal function tests (including electrolytes), creatine kinase |
Baseline and every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, then monthly and as clinically indicated |
LVEF evaluation, in patient with cardiac risk factors |
Baseline and as clinically indicated |
ECG |
Baseline and as clinically indicated |
Signs and symptoms of active HBV infection (in HBV carriers) |
During treatment and for several months after treatment discontinuation |
Clinical toxicity assessment for signs and symptoms of bleeding, infection, cardiotoxicity, muscle pain, rash, GI, pulmonary hypertension, pleural effusion, dermatological and auditory effects and fluid retention |
At each visit |
Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version
| Monitor Type | Monitor Frequency |
|---|---|
Consider LVEF evaluation in patients without cardiac risk factors. |
Baseline and as clinically indicated |
Exceptional Access Program (EAP Website)
- daSAtinib - PH+ ALL, with specific criteria
- daSAtinib - Ph+ CML in the chronic phase, with specific criteria
- daSAtinib - Accelerated phase or blast phase Ph+ CML with documented resistance or intolerance to imatinib, with specific criteria
Kantarjian H, Shah NP, Hochhaus A, et al. Dasatinib versus imatinib in newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia. N Engl J Med. 2010 Jun 17;362(24):2260-70.
Shah NP, Kantarjian HM, Kim DW, et al. Intermittent target inhibition with dasatinib 100 mg once daily preserves efficacy and improves tolerability in imatinib-resistant and -intolerant chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia. Blood 2008; 26(19); 3204-12.
US Prescribing Information: Sprycel®. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. March 2021.
February 2025 Updated Pregnancy and Lactation section
Refer to the New Drug Funding Program or Ontario Public Drug Programs websites for the most up-to-date public funding information.
The information set out in the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information (for health professionals) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects of a particular drug, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition. The information in the Formulary is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.
The format and content of the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information contained in the Formulary will change as they are reviewed and revised on a periodic basis. The date of last revision will be visible on each page of the monograph and regimen. Since standards of usage are constantly evolving, it is advised that the Formulary not be used as the sole source of information. It is strongly recommended that original references or product monograph be consulted prior to using a chemotherapy regimen for the first time.
Some Formulary documents, such as the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets and symptom management information (for patients), are intended for patients. Patients should always consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions regarding any information set out in the Formulary documents.
While care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in the Formulary, such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability.
CCO and the Formulary’s content providers shall have no liability, whether direct, indirect, consequential, contingent, special, or incidental, related to or arising from the information in the Formulary or its use thereof, whether based on breach of contract or tort (including negligence), and even if advised of the possibility thereof. Anyone using the information in the Formulary does so at his or her own risk, and by using such information, agrees to indemnify CCO and its content providers from any and all liability, loss, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising from such person’s use of the information in the Formulary.