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dasatanib - itchy acne like skin

Hi, I have only been on dasatanib for 3 weeks. Made switch from glivec which I had been taking since 2003. I have had some awful headaches. But now i have started getting acne like skin. But my skin and whole body is itchy too. I have read that some of you you have this problem too. I am going to make an appt with my GP next week but it would be helpful for me to perhaps know what any of you may have been prescribed or any advice at all please.
Thanks Michelle

Hi Michelle
Yes I do think there can be skin problems with the TKIs including dasatinib. In my case it was being monitored by my consultant and nurse as part of the Spirit 2 trial. It is mainly on my face. At one appt the dr and my husband were counting the number of spots! Great! But my consultant referred me to a consultant dermatologist who gave it a name and prescribed me an anti-biotic. Previously I was trying things like E45, Savlon etc etc. Seems a bit odd at my age (41) to have teenage problem skin but there you go! I do think it is drug related though as I haven't had it before and I have heard of others on dasatinib having skin problems too. So do mention it to someone, and hopefully it will be a short-term side effect whilst you settle on the drug. I think creams can help too to keep it moisturised etc, probably the less fraganced the better...
best wishes - hope it gets better for you soon Jo

Hi Michelle,

I'm on the Spirit 2 trial and after a few weeks the only side effect I have is the acne spots. I started on the trial last September and at first was getting some rashes on the body( like a heat rash) then slightly swollen eyes. These disappeared after a few months and the only thing I get now, is the same as yourself........ the acne spots.

These are slowly diminishing on the face but I get quite a few above my neck, in the hair. Since the beginning I was recommened DIPROBASE ( you can get it from any chemist) by one of the nurses, which has helped a lot.

Stick with the minor side effects of Dasatinib ..........it is fantastic medication. !

Best Wishes

Hi

I also got the spots/rash and itchy skin, but 17 months after starting Dasatinib, it has mostly gone away, with things calming down after about 6 months.

I definitely still get spots, particularly in the hair, that appear as infected follicles. They seem more prevalent if I'm also maybe getting a cold or similar - they come in phases. The itchy skin is just a couple of places, normally around my temple.

Diprobase does work, as does leaving them mostly alone. If you try to do anything with them, then in my experience it ends up hurting quite a lot.

In general, I do agree that it's a great medication.

Rod