Alsatinib 20mg tablet consists of the active ingredient Dasatinib. It is prescribed for adults and children above one year of age with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. This medicine is used to treat newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in the chronic phase and Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia in patients resistant to other therapies. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia refers to a type of blood cancer that makes the body produce too many white blood cells that happen due to alteration in the Philadelphia chromosome. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is the most common form of blood cancer that affects children. In this case, the lymphocytes of white blood cells multiply too quickly and live too long. 

The common side effects that are likely to associate with Alsatinib 20mg tablet are diarrhea, headache, cough, rash, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, muscle pain, weakness, low appetite, and high or low blood pressure. Inform your doctor if these side effects disturb or persist you. 

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Dasatinib and its ingredients. Before starting treatment with this medication, you should let your physician know if you have liver or heart problems, breathing difficulties, chest pain, cough, hepatitis B infection, or bleeding problems. This medicine could cause a severe reduction in the number of platelets, WBC, or RBC in the blood. Ensure that your physician monitors your blood levels at regular intervals. Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, antacids, and herbal supplements. It is not recommended for children below one year of age.

Alsatinib 20mg tablet is indicated for the following conditions

• Children and adults with chronic myeloid leukemia.
• Adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) with resistance to prior therapy.

Dasatinib works by preventing the abnormal protein from signalling the growth of cancer cells. This aids in preventing or reducing the spread of cancer cells.

Inform your doctor about any prescribed medications, over-the-counter medicines, nutritional or vitamin supplements, and herbal products that you are taking or have taken before the treatment. Certain medications may interact with Alsatinib 20mg tablet and can cause undesirable side effects. 

• Store protected from light at a temperature not exceeding 30c.

Take the tablet with or without food at the same time each day. Do not break, crush or chew the tablet. Your doctor will decide the dose and frequency of Alsatinib 20mg tablet administration based on your disease severity and other factors. Do not stop taking the tablet without consulting your healthcare professional. 

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them. 

Serious

• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Rapid heart rate
• Changes in consciousness or speech
• Breathlessness and swelling all over the body
• Fever or signs of infection
• Fluid retention
• Heart problems
• Myelosuppression
• Severe allergic reaction

Common

• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Cough
• Rash
• Nausea, tiredness, vomiting
• Muscle pain, weakness
• Low appetite
• High or low BP

It is advised to use effective contraceptives for both men and women, taking Alsatinib 20mg tablet during treatment and 30 days after the last dose. Monitor your blood pressure regularly while taking this medication. Inform your doctor if you notice blood in your urine or stools. If you take an antacid medicine, take it 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking this tablet. 

1. Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC), [Revised on Mar 2022] [Accessed on 1st Dec 2022], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7745.pdf
2. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, [Revised on Jun 2021] [Accessed on 1st Dec 2022], https://packageinserts.bms.com/ppi/ppi_sprycel.pdf
3. H.G. Watson, J.I.O. Craig, L.M. Manson, Blood disease, Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine, 22nd Edition, 2014, 989-1056.
4. Edward Chu, Cancer Chemotherapy, Lange’s Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 14th Edition, 2018, 948-976.