Comprehensive medication guide to Dasatinib including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$50–$500+ copay per fill on specialty tier with commercial insurance; commercially insured patients may pay $0 with the Apotex Instant Savings Card or BMS Access Support copay program. Medicare Part D patients are subject to the $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap in 2026.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$20,000–$27,800 retail for brand Sprycel or generic dasatinib; as low as $824–$891 per 30-day supply for 100 mg generic with a GoodRx or SingleCare discount coupon.
Medfinder Findability Score
55/100
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Dasatinib is an oral prescription medication used to treat Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It is sold under the brand name Sprycel by Bristol-Myers Squibb and is also available in generic form from manufacturers including Apotex, Teva, Lupin, Zydus, and Dr. Reddy's. The FDA first approved dasatinib in 2006.
Dasatinib belongs to a class of medications called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). It is classified as a second-generation TKI—more potent than imatinib (the original first-generation TKI)—and is effective even in some cases where imatinib has stopped working.
Dasatinib is FDA-approved for adults with newly diagnosed Ph+ CML in chronic phase, adults with Ph+ CML (all phases) or Ph+ ALL who are resistant or intolerant to prior therapy, children 1 year and older with Ph+ CML in chronic phase, and children 1 year and older with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL in combination with chemotherapy.
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In Ph+ CML and ALL, a chromosomal abnormality called the Philadelphia chromosome creates an abnormal fusion gene called BCR-ABL. This gene produces a protein—a tyrosine kinase—that acts like a permanently activated switch, continuously signaling leukemia cells to grow and divide without stopping.
Dasatinib works by blocking the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase protein, effectively turning off the uncontrolled growth signal. Without that signal, leukemia cells stop proliferating and eventually die. Unlike imatinib, which only binds BCR-ABL in its inactive form, dasatinib binds in both active and inactive conformations, making it more potent and effective against many imatinib-resistant mutations.
Dasatinib also inhibits SRC family kinases (LYN and HCK)—alternative signaling proteins that some CML cells rely on when BCR-ABL is blocked. This dual targeting gives dasatinib broader activity against leukemia cells compared to first-generation TKIs.
20 mg — tablet
Lower strength used in dose adjustments and pediatric weight-based dosing
50 mg — tablet
Used in pediatric dosing and adult dose reductions
70 mg — tablet
Used in pediatric dosing protocols
80 mg — tablet
Reduced adult dose for chronic phase CML after dose adjustments
100 mg — tablet
Standard adult dose for chronic phase CML — taken once daily
140 mg — tablet
Standard adult dose for accelerated/blast phase CML and Ph+ ALL — taken once daily
Dasatinib is not on the FDA Drug Shortage database as of 2026. Multiple generic manufacturers supply the U.S. market, and brand Sprycel remains available. However, dasatinib is a specialty drug—meaning it is exclusively dispensed through specialty pharmacy networks, not standard retail pharmacies. Patients cannot simply walk into a CVS or Walgreens and pick it up.
Access challenges primarily arise from insurance prior authorization requirements, specialty pharmacy routing, and the medication's high cost. These systemic barriers can cause delays of 1–4 weeks for new prescriptions, and occasional disruptions for ongoing therapy if refills are not requested early enough.
If you're having trouble locating your dasatinib prescription, medfinder calls specialty pharmacies near you to find which ones can fill your prescription and texts you the results—saving you hours of hold time.
Dasatinib is not a controlled substance and has no DEA prescribing restrictions. However, because it is used exclusively for leukemia and requires laboratory monitoring and oncology expertise, it is prescribed by specialists. Any licensed prescriber can technically write a dasatinib prescription, but in practice it is managed by oncology specialists throughout treatment.
Telehealth prescribing of dasatinib is limited. Initial diagnosis requires in-person evaluation including bone marrow biopsy and cytogenetic testing. Established patients on stable therapy may use telehealth for follow-up visits and refill authorizations at practices that offer this option. Most oncology practices managing CML and ALL do not initiate dasatinib via telemedicine alone.
No. Dasatinib is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. It does not carry abuse, dependence, or addiction potential. There are no special DEA prescribing requirements, no restriction on prescription quantity per fill, and no requirement for written prescriptions or in-person visits for refills (beyond standard oncology monitoring practices).
While dasatinib is not controlled, it is a specialty drug that requires physician oversight and ongoing laboratory monitoring. Patients must have regular blood counts and metabolic panels during treatment. Access to dasatinib is managed through insurance prior authorization and specialty pharmacy networks, not through DEA scheduling.
The following side effects occur in at least 10% of patients taking dasatinib:
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following:
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Imatinib (Gleevec)
First-generation TKI; widely available as a generic at much lower cost; first-line option for CML with excellent long-term outcomes
Nilotinib (Tasigna)
Second-generation TKI; more selective BCR-ABL inhibitor; twice daily dosing on empty stomach; higher cardiovascular risk; generic available
Bosutinib (Bosulif)
Second-generation TKI; once daily with food; GI side effects common; generic approved 2025
Asciminib (Scemblix)
Third-generation STAMP inhibitor; different binding mechanism; approved for CML including T315I mutation at higher dose; no generic currently
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Ketoconazole / Itraconazole (CYP3A4 inhibitors)
majorStrong CYP3A4 inhibitors that significantly increase dasatinib blood levels, raising risk of toxicity. Avoid or reduce dasatinib dose.
Rifampin (CYP3A4 inducer)
majorStrong CYP3A4 inducer that decreases dasatinib levels, potentially reducing efficacy. Avoid coadministration; consider dose increase if unavoidable.
St. John's Wort
majorHerbal CYP3A4 inducer that reduces dasatinib plasma levels. Avoid while taking dasatinib.
Omeprazole / PPIs
majorProton pump inhibitors reduce stomach acidity needed for dasatinib absorption; significantly reduce dasatinib bioavailability. Avoid; use antacid with 2-hour separation instead.
H2 Blockers (famotidine, cimetidine)
moderateReduce stomach acidity and decrease dasatinib absorption. Avoid; use antacid alternative with 2-hour separation from dasatinib.
Warfarin / Anticoagulants
majorDasatinib reduces platelet counts and function; combination with anticoagulants increases serious bleeding risk. Monitor closely.
NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
moderateIncrease bleeding risk when combined with dasatinib. Use acetaminophen for pain relief instead; consult oncologist.
Grapefruit juice
majorInhibits CYP3A4, raising dasatinib levels. Avoid entirely throughout treatment.
QT-prolonging drugs (amiodarone, azithromycin, haloperidol)
moderateAdditive QT prolongation risk with dasatinib. Use with caution; obtain baseline and follow-up ECG.
Carbamazepine / Phenytoin (anticonvulsants)
majorStrong CYP3A4 inducers that decrease dasatinib levels and may reduce efficacy. Avoid if possible.
Dasatinib has transformed the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia since its FDA approval in 2006. As a second-generation TKI, it offers faster and deeper molecular responses than imatinib and is effective in many imatinib-resistant cases. With generic versions now available from multiple manufacturers, the cost landscape has improved for patients with appropriate insurance or discount programs.
The primary challenge for patients is not drug availability per se, but navigating the specialty pharmacy system—the exclusive distribution channel, prior authorization requirements, and high out-of-pocket costs. Enrolling in copay assistance programs (Apotex Instant Savings Card, BMS Access Support) and working closely with your oncology team is essential to avoiding treatment interruptions.
If you're having trouble locating dasatinib at a specialty pharmacy near you, medfinder can call pharmacies on your behalf and text you which ones can fill your prescription—taking the stress and hold time out of the search.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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