Dasatinib is a cancer medication that slows the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Dasatinib is used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when other cancer treatments have not been effective.

Dasatinib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use dasatinib if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving dasatinib, whether you are a man or a woman. Dasatinib use by either parent may cause birth defects.

Before taking dasatinib, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood, heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder, or if you have a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

Do not crush, chew, or break a dasatinib tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

There are many other drugs that can interact with dasatinib. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Dasatinib can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Your blood may need to be tested often. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding injury. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Some people using dasatinib have developed a rare but serious condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH may be irreversible if not promptly treated, and this condition can be fatal. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk of developing PAH.

You should not use dasatinib if:

• you have not first received a medication called imatinib (Gleevec); or

• if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during treatment with dasatinib.

Some people using dasatinib have developed a rare but serious condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH occurs when blood pressure increases inside the arteries in your lungs. This makes it harder for your heart to pump blood through the lungs, which also weakens muscles in the heart. PAH may be irreversible if not promptly treated, and this condition can be fatal. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk of developing PAH.

To make sure you can safely take dasatinib, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood;

• anemia (lack of red blood cells);

• liver disease;

• lung disease;

• heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder; or

• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use dasatinib if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving dasatinib, whether you are a man or a woman. Dasatinib use by either parent may cause birth defects. A man taking dasatinib should use a condom during any sexual activity.

This medication may affect fertility (your ability to have children), whether you are a man or a woman.

It is not known whether dasatinib passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while taking dasatinib.

Dasatinib tablets contain lactose. Talk to your doctor before using this medication if you are lactose-intolerant.