Dasakast 50

Dasakast 50

Dasakast (dasatinib 50 mg) is an oral drug indicated for patients suffering from blood cancer in both adults and children. Specifically, dasakast 50 (dasatinib tablet) is used in adults with Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in a long-lasting (chronic) phase of the disease. Dasatinib belongs to the class of medicine known as kinase inhibitors that works its action by,

• Firstly, blocking the activities of abnormal protein
• Secondly, hindering the multiplication of cancer cells (cell-proliferation)
• Lastly, reducing blood flow to the cancer cells (angiogenesis)

Dasatinib 50 mg, with the above actions, finally disrupts the spread of CML cancer cells.

Administration of Dasakast (Dasatinib 50 mg):

Dasakast (dasatinib 50 mg) is given in the form of 100 mg dose (2×50 mg tablets) once daily. However, if the condition of patients does not improve, the dose is escalated to 140 mg (2×100 mg tablets) once daily. It can be taken with or without food in the morning or evening. Once swallowed, dasatinib tablet is completely absorbed (bio-available) in 6 hours and is distributed throughout the region of cancer. It is metabolized in liver by different types of proteins and subsequently after completing its action, more than 50% of dasatinib tablet is expelled from the body within 3 to 5 hours.

When should Dasakast (Dasatinib 50 mg) be avoided or used cautiously?

• In patients having a severe risk of bleeding (hemorrhage), carry out blood tests regularly
• If patients carry an infection (fever) caused due to decrease in blood cells (myelosuppression)
• If patients have symptoms like swelling, dry cough, shortness of breath or weight gain leading to the loss of fluids (fluid retention) in body
• If patients are suffering from shortness of breath, tiredness, or hypoxia) causing increase in blood pressure (Hypertension)
• If patients had a history of heart problems (heart attack or heart failure)
• If patients are seen with nausea, vomiting, weakness or cramps in the muscles, a condition where the cancerous cells are overkilled spraying their contents in the blood (tumor lysis syndrome), could be present
• If patients are pregnant or planning to get pregnant
• If patients face complications in stomach or intestine

Most common side-effects of Dasakast 50 (Dasatinib Tablets):

• Diarrhoea
• Headache
• Pain in the muscles (myalgia)
• Rashes on the skin
• Nausea
• Tiredness
• Shortness of breath
• Excessive bleeding

The uncommon ones are,

• Pain in the stomach and intestinal regions
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Weight gain
• Chills
• Inconsistent heartbeat (Arrythmia)
• Fever with other signs of infection (Febrile neutropenia)
• Decrease in RBCs i.e. Hemoglobin (anemia)
• Decrease in platelets (thrombocytopenia)