Sprycel (dasatinib) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat certain types of leukemia in adults and some children. This includes certain types of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects your blood or bone marrow (tissue found inside bones that makes blood cells).

Here are some fast facts about Sprycel:

  • Active ingredient: dasatinib
  • Drug class: kinase inhibitor
  • Drug form: oral tablet

If you and your doctor agree that Sprycel is working well for you, the drug is typically a long-term treatment.

As with other drugs, Sprycel can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Sprycel, including details about its uses, see this article.

Sprycel can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Sprycel in clinical trials. These side effects can vary depending on whether the drug is being used alone or in combination with chemotherapy drugs.

More common side effects in people taking Sprycel alone include:

More common side effects in children taking Sprycel in combination with chemotherapy include:

  • mucositis (redness, sores, or swelling in the lining of the mouth, throat, stomach, or intestines)
  • low blood cell counts (myelosuppression), such as low white blood cell level (neutropenia) or low platelet level (thrombocytopenia)
  • fever with a low white blood cell count (febrile neutropenia)
  • fever
  • diarrhea

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Sprycel use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Sprycel’s prescribing information.

Keep in mind that mild side effects caused by Sprycel can differ depending on whether Sprycel is used alone or with other drugs to treat leukemia.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Sprycel include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Sprycel and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Sprycel may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For further details, you can refer to Sprycel’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Sprycel, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • Severe low blood cell counts (myelosuppression), such as low white blood cell level (neutropenia) or low platelet level (thrombocytopenia). These conditions often don’t cause symptoms and are detected using blood tests ordered by your doctor. However, if either condition is severe enough, you may notice symptoms such as:
    • dark or discolored small, round skin spots (petechiae)
    • bleeding from your gums or nose for no reason
    • blood in your urine or stool
  • Fever with a low white blood cell count (febrile neutropenia). A low white blood cell count would be detected using blood tests ordered by your doctor. However, you may notice symptoms of an infection, such as:
    • fever
    • flu-like symptoms
    • nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
    • generally feeling unwell
  • Easy or excessive bleeding. Symptoms can include:
    • blood in your stool
    • bleeding that continues for a long time or won’t stop
    • bruising more easy than usual
  • Heart problems, such as heart attack or abnormal heart rhythm. Symptoms can include:
    • pain, pressure, or tightness in your chest
    • feeling dizzy or lightheaded
    • rapid heart rate or pounding heartbeat
  • Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in your lungs). Symptoms can include:
    • difficulty breathing
    • feeling tired or weak
  • Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Symptoms can include:
    • a blistering skin rash
    • sore mouth or throat
    • fever
  • Tumor lysis syndrome, a condition caused by dead cancer cells releasing harmful chemicals. Symptoms can include:
    • muscle cramps
    • difficulty breathing
    • seizure
    • weakness
    • fluid retention
  • Slowed growth in children.
  • Serious skin reaction.*
  • Serious eye-related side effects.*
  • Severe allergic reaction.*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Sprycel is prescribed to treat certain types of leukemia in children in certain situations. For a general overview of Sprycel, including details about its uses in children, see this article.

Side effects in children are mostly the same as those in adults treated with Sprycel. However, some children with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with Sprycel experienced side effects related to bones and development, including slowed growth and gynecomastia.

Your child’s doctor will provide additional details about how they’ll monitor your child for side effects during Sprycel treatment and how they’ll treat side effects should they occur.

Sprycel may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

What are the long-term side effects of Sprycel?

Treatment with Sprycel may cause long-term side effects. Long-term side effects are those that can start during treatment and continue for a long time, possibly after stopping treatment. Long-term side effects may also start after you’ve taken the drug for a long time or after ending treatment.

Long-term side effects reported with Sprycel include:

This isn’t an inclusive list of long-term side effects Sprycel may cause. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have additional questions or concerns about Sprycel and possible long-term side effects.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Are there side effects of stopping Sprycel treatment?

No, there aren’t known side effects of stopping Sprycel treatment. Some drugs may cause withdrawal symptoms if you abruptly stop taking them. However, withdrawal symptoms aren’t expected with Sprycel.

You should not stop taking Sprycel or any prescription medication without first talking with your doctor. They can review other treatments for your condition if you’re interested in stopping treatment with Sprycel.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Sprycel may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Sprycel.

Skin rash

Skin rash is a possible side effect of Sprycel. In fact, it’s one of the most common side effects reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

Skin rash caused by Sprycel may be due to an allergic reaction. Rarely, it can also be a symptom of a serious skin reaction, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

What you can do

If you experience a skin rash without other symptoms while taking Sprycel, let your doctor know. They can recommend the best way to treat this side effect.

Skin rash can also be a symptom of an allergic reaction or serious skin reaction (see below). If you experience other symptoms besides skin rash that feel life threatening, immediately call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.

Hair loss

Hair loss is a possible side effect you may experience from taking Sprycel. However, it wasn’t common in clinical trials of the drug.

Sprycel is sometimes used with chemotherapy drugs for treating leukemia in certain situations. Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy drugs.

What you can do

Hair loss is a common side effect of many cancer drugs, including Sprycel. While hair loss can be bothersome and unpleasant, healthcare professionals have a lot of experience treating this side effect in people with cancer.

Talk with your doctor if you experience or have concerns regarding hair loss and your cancer treatment. They can recommend ways to treat or manage hair loss caused by cancer medications. And hair loss caused by cancer treatment often grows back once treatment is completed.

Eye-related side effects

Eye-related side effects have been reported in people treated with Sprycel, although they’re not common.

Eye-related side effects caused by Sprycel may be mild or serious. Examples include:

  • dry eye
  • impaired or reduced vision
  • blurry vision
  • increased tears
  • sensitivity to light

What you can do

Let your doctor know if you experience eye-related side effects while taking Sprycel as soon as possible. They can weigh the risks and benefits of continuing Sprycel treatment. They can also recommend a treatment for your symptoms, if available.

Bone and muscle pain

Sprycel may cause bone and muscle pain as a side effect. These were among the drug’s more common side effects in clinical trials.

Bone pain may be a sign of serious side effects of bone growth or development in children treated with Sprycel.

What you can do

Talk with your doctor if you experience bone or muscle pain that is bothersome while taking Sprycel. They can recommend a treatment that is safe for you based on your medical history and other medications you may take. Examples include over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).

If your child develops bone pain during treatment with Sprycel, contact their doctor immediately.

Serious skin reactions

Rare but serious skin reactions have been reported in people treated with Sprycel.

Examples include Stevens-Johnson syndrome and erythema multiforme. Symptoms of these reactions can include:

  • fever
  • cough
  • body aches or generally feeling unwell
  • skin rash with rupturing or peeling blisters
  • areas of raw, painful skin that develop over time

What you can do

Immediately seek medical attention if you develop symptoms of a serious skin reaction described above. While rare, these reactions can be life threatening.

Other medications besides Sprycel can also cause serious skin reactions. Your doctor can determine possible causes of your symptoms. If it’s confirmed that Sprycel caused your serious skin reaction, your doctor will permanently stop your treatment. They can review other treatment options for your leukemia with you.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Sprycel can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Allergic reactions were more common in children compared with adults treated with Sprycel in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Sprycel. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Sprycel. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Compromised immune system. Sprycel may lower the blood cell count in your body. This includes white blood cells, which help fight off infections. If you have other conditions or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, this may worsen the side effects of Sprycel. If you have a compromised immune system, talk with your doctor to see whether Sprycel is safe for you.

Heart disease. Your doctor can determine whether Sprycel is safe for you to take if you have heart disease. Because the drug can cause heart-related side effects, there’s a chance Sprycel could worsen your condition. Examples of heart disease include heart failure or long QT syndrome. If you have heart disease, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Sprycel.

Lactose intolerance. Sprycel contains lactose and may trigger side effects of lactose intolerance if you have this condition and take Sprycel. Your doctor can suggest ways to manage these side effects or suggest a different treatment for your leukemia.

Low potassium or magnesium level. Low potassium or magnesium levels can affect your heart rate. Sprycel can also affect your heart rate as a side effect. Because of this risk, your doctor may want to treat your low potassium or magnesium levels before prescribing Sprycel to you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Sprycel or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Sprycel. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Alcohol with Sprycel

There’s no known interaction between Sprycel and drinking alcohol. However, because alcohol and Sprycel can cause some of the same effects, combining the two could raise your risk of symptoms such as diarrhea and headache.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about how much alcohol, if any, is safe for you to consume while taking Sprycel.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Sprycel

Sprycel is not safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. It’s possible that Sprycel may cause congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects).

If you can become pregnant, your doctor will recommend that you use birth control during treatment and for at least 30 days after your last Sprycel dose. They’ll also likely give you a pregnancy test to make sure you’re not pregnant.

It’s not known whether Sprycel passes into breast milk. So, you should avoid breastfeeding for at least 2 weeks after your last dose of Sprycel. However, animal studies showed that Sprycel can pass into breast milk of rats.

Due to the possible side effects of slowed growth and development in young children, it’s recommended to avoid breastfeeding while taking Sprycel.

Talk with your doctor if you have additional questions about pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Sprycel.

Mild or serious side effects are possible with Sprycel. These side effects may vary depending on whether the drug is prescribed alone or used with chemotherapy drugs.

If you’d like to learn more about Sprycel, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Sprycel. For details about other aspects of Sprycel, refer to this article.
  • A look at leukemia. For details about your condition, 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.