Sprycel (dasatinib) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain types of leukemia in adults and some children. Sprycel comes as a tablet that’s typically taken once per day. The dosage can vary depending on what condition the drug is used to help treat.
Sprycel is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for:
- adults with a new diagnosis of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in the chronic phase
- adults with Ph+ CML in any phase that hasn’t responded to other treatment
- adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) that hasn’t responded to treatment
- children ages 1 year and older with Ph+ CML in the chronic phase
- children ages 1 year and older with a new diagnosis of Ph+ ALL who will receive chemotherapy as part of their treatment with Sprycel
Sprycel belongs to a drug class called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Sprycel is not available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Sprycel, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Sprycel, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Sprycel provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Sprycel, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Read below for details about Sprycel’s dosages for its approved uses.
Sprycel form
Sprycel comes as an oral tablet.
Sprycel strengths
Sprycel comes in six strengths:
- 20 milligrams (mg)
- 50 mg
- 70 mg
- 80 mg
- 100 mg
- 140 mg
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will recommend a dosage based on the specific type of leukemia you are being treated for.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia
Doctors may prescribe Sprycel to treat Ph+ CML.
The Sprycel starting dosage for adults with Ph+ CML in the chronic phase is 100 mg, taken once per day. Your doctor will monitor your condition and may increase your dosage up to a maximum dosage of 140 mg per day.
The Sprycel starting dosage for adults with Ph+ CML in the accelerated or blast phase that hasn’t responded to other treatments is 140 mg, taken once per day. Your doctor will monitor your condition and may increase your dosage to a maximum dosage of 180 mg per day.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Doctors may prescribe Sprycel to treat Ph+ ALL.
The Sprycel starting dosage for adults with Ph+ ALL is 140 mg once a day. Your doctor will monitor your condition and may increase your dosage to a maximum dose of 180 mg per day.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Children’s dosage
Sprycel is approved for use in children in the following situations.
Dosage for Ph+ CML
Sprycel is approved to treat Ph+ CML in the chronic phase in children ages 1 year and older.
The dosage is based on the child’s body weight in kilograms and calculated by your child’s doctor. One kilogram (kg) equals about 2.2 pounds (lb).
Your child should be re-weighed at least every 3 months to ensure their weight-based dosage is accurate.
The table below lists the typical dosing schedule for children taking Sprycel.
| Body weight in kilograms | Sprycel dosage |
|---|---|
| 10 kg to less than 20 kg | 40 mg once a day |
| 20 kg to less than 30 kg | 60 mg once a day |
| 30 kg to less than 45 kg | 70 mg once a day |
| 45 kg or more | 100 mg once a day |
Your child’s doctor will monitor their progress and may increase their dosage as needed, up to a maximum of 120 mg per day.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Dosage for Ph+ ALL
Sprycel is approved to treat Ph+ ALL in children ages 1 year and older who will receive chemotherapy as part of their treatment with the drug.
The dosage is based on the child’s body weight in kilograms and is calculated by your child’s doctor. One kg equals about 2.2 lb.
Your child should be re-weighed at least every 3 months to ensure their weight-based dosage is accurate.
The table below lists the typical dosing schedule for children taking Sprycel.
| Body weight in kilograms | Sprycel dosage |
|---|---|
| 10 kg to less than 20 kg | 40 mg once a day |
| 20 kg to less than 30 kg | 60 mg once a day |
| 30 kg to less than 45 kg | 70 mg once a day |
| 45 kg or more | 100 mg once a day |
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Long-term treatment
Sprycel is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor or your child’s doctor determine that Sprycel is safe and effective, you or your child will likely be taking it long term.
Before taking Sprycel, your doctor or your child’s doctor will discuss the treatment plan with you.
The Sprycel dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your age
- your body weight
- how your body responds to Sprycel
- the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Sprycel to treat
- other medications you take
- side effects you may have with Sprycel
- your liver function
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Sprycel dosage.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you take certain medications, such as drugs that are CYP3A4* inhibitors and inducers. These drugs can affect the level of Sprycel in your body. To find out what drugs may interact with Sprycel, see this article.
Your doctor may also need to adjust your dosage if you have liver damage or experience edema while taking Sprycel.
Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.
* CYP3A4 is an enzyme (a type of protein) in the liver that breaks down medications.
Sprycel comes as an oral tablet that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, or chew the tablet.
You may take your dose with or without food. But never take Sprycel with grapefruit juice because this can affect how it works in your body. It’s best to avoid grapefruit juice altogether during treatment with Sprycel.
Antacid medications can also affect the level of Sprycel in your body. If you have to take an antacid, be sure to take it at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after your Sprycel dose.
It may be helpful to take Sprycel around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Sprycel can work effectively.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have questions about how to use Sprycel, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also a helpful link on the manufacturer’s website.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Sprycel in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you miss a dose of Sprycel, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose at your regular time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you do not take more Sprycel than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
Effects of an overdose
Overdose effects of Sprycel can include:
- severe bleeding
- low red blood cell and low white blood cell counts
If you take more than the recommended amount of Sprycel
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Sprycel. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Sprycel.
What is the recommended maximum dosage of Sprycel?
The maximum dosage of Sprycel that’s recommended is 180 mg for adults and 120 mg for children. Typically, doctors prescribe a lower dosage to start. In some cases, doctors may increase the drug’s dosage. For details about Sprycel dosages, see the “Sprycel dosage” section above.
If you have questions or concerns about your dosage of Sprycel, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If it seems like you need a higher dosage, ask your doctor whether a dosage increase is right for you. Do not increase your dosage unless your doctor recommends doing so.
How long does it take for Sprycel to start working?
Sprycel starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Sprycel treatment.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Sprycel for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Sprycel without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Sprycel that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Sprycel. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Sprycel: For information about other aspects of Sprycel, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Sprycel, see this article. You can also look at the Sprycel prescribing information.
- Details about your condition: For details about leukemia, see our leukemia hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.