Welcome to our interactive treatment guide
SPRYCEL Digital Handbook
It can be overwhelming to find out you have
Ph+ CML. It is only natural
to feel worried,
fearful, and uncertain at this time. Find
information that
may help you as you learn
more about your treatment.
01
Milestones Matter
Learn how your doctor uses milestones to
see how you’re responding to treatment.
02
Learn about what happens in Ph+ CML,
and how SPRYCEL works.
03
See how SPRYCEL was studied in
direct
comparison with imatinib and
view study results.
04
Learn about the side effects reported in
adults in the SPRYCEL clinical study.
05
Get tips on how to add once-daily
SPRYCEL to your daily routine.
06
Learn about the side effects adult patients
may
experience while taking SPRYCEL.
Learn more about Ph+ CML treatment milestones
The goal of Ph+ CML treatment is to reduce the levels of Philadelphia chromosome and BCR-ABL1
BCR-ABL1: an abnormal protein that triggers overproduction of damaged white blood cells, causing leukemia.
in your bone marrow
Bone marrow: the soft tissue inside bones that produces blood cells.
and blood as much as possible. Your doctor may refer to the achievement of these low numbers as meeting “treatment milestones” or simply “milestones.”
Therefore, your doctor may set milestones along the way.
These are two of the treatment milestones your doctor may consider while you are on SPRYCEL treatment:
Complete Cytogenetic Response
(also called CCyR)
This type of response means there are no visible Philadelphia chromosome cells found in the bone marrow. This response also corresponds to a small amount (1%) of BCR-ABL1 protein in the body.
Major Molecular Response
(also called MMR)
This type of response also means there is an even smaller amount of BCR-ABL1 protein (<0.1%) found in the body.
Achieving a response can take time. Talk to your doctor about your progress at follow-up visits. SPRYCEL will not work for everyone. Treatment results and the achievement of these CML milestones will vary for each patient.
“I found that becoming an engaged patient and keeping up with my test results and my progress helped me feel more in control.”
-Lee, SPRYCEL patient
“I found that becoming an engaged patient and keeping up with my test results and my progress helped me feel more in control.”
-Lee, SPRYCEL patient
For Caregivers
Now’s the time to learn all you can about CML–so you’re prepared to help your loved one and know what to expect.
HOW SPRYCEL WORKS
In Ph+ CML, an abnormal protein (BCR-ABL1) triggers the
overproduction of damaged white blood cells
White blood cells: blood cells that help fight infections; when the level of a certain type of white blood cell is lower than normal, it is called
neutropenia.
. SPRYCEL®
(dasatinib) works by helping to reduce the number of
damaged white blood cells in your body.
SPRYCEL may cause low red blood cell
Red blood cells: blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of the body; when red blood cell levels are lower than normal, it is called
anemia.
counts (anemia), low white blood cell counts (neutropenia), and low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia).
For more information on these side effects, talk to your doctor and read “What are the possible side effects of SPRYCEL?” in the Important Facts below.
how SPRYCEL was studied
SPRYCEL was studied in newly diagnosed adult patients with Ph+ CML in chronic phase, in direct comparison with imatinib. The study was open-label
Open-label means both the researchers and the participants knew which treatment was given.
.
The main goal of
the study
One goal of the study was to see the effect of SPRYCEL and imatinib on cCCyR by
One goal of the study was to see the effect of SPRYCEL and imatinib on cCCyR by
What Is Confirmed Complete Cytogenetic Response (cCCyR)?
A cytogenetic response can occur in the bone marrow, as well as in the blood. A cCCyR meant that there were no signs of bad cells in 2 bone marrow tests.
Another study goal
was to measure MMR
This is a very sensitive test that can detect other bad cells in the bone marrow.
This is a very sensitive test that can detect other bad cells in the bone marrow.
What Is Major Molecular Response (MMR)?
An MMR meant that the amount of
BCR-ABL: an abnormal protein that triggers overproduction of damaged white blood cells, causing leukemia.
MORE PATIENTS TAKING SPRYCEL ACHIEVED THE STUDY’S TREATMENT MILESTONES
SPRYCEL helped more people meet their milestones and maintain those low numbers
over 5 years, compared to imatinib.
(the main goal of the study):
By the end of the first year, 77% of people (200/259) treated with
SPRYCEL had achieved cCCyR. (With imatinib, it was 66%, or 172 people)
By year five, 83% of people (215/260) treated with SPRYCEL had a cCCyR.
(With imatinib, it was 79%, or
(Achieving MMR early is another important treatment goal):
A MMR or Major Molecular Response meant the amount of
BCR-ABL protein was very low.
Talk to your doctor if you have any side effects. Don’t wait until your symptoms
get worse. See additional Important Facts below.
Side effects reported in at least 10% of newly diagnosed adult patients
taking SPRYCEL or imatinib
*A side effect of special interest that was reported in less than 10% of patients.
Serious abnormal test results from the trial of adult patients
Talk to your doctor if you have any side effects. Don’t wait until your symptoms get worse.
See additional Important Facts below.
Do not change or stop treatment without first talking to your healthcare provider.
when taking sprycel
It’s important to take your medicine exactly as your doctor prescribed:
One Pill
Once Daily
With or Without Food
Dos and Don’ts
Follow these dos and don’ts when taking SPRYCEL
DO
DO take SPRYCEL exactly as
your healthcare provider tells
you to take it
DO take SPRYCEL with or without food, either in the morning or evening once a day
DO swallow SPRYCEL
tablets whole
DO tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and
DO call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you take too much SPRYCEL
DON'T
DON’T change your dose or stop
taking SPRYCEL without first talking
to your healthcare provider
DON’T cut, crush, or chew
the tablets
DON'T drink grapefruit juice during your treatment with SPRYCEL
DON'T take St. John’s wort during your treatment with SPRYCEL
DON’T miss a dose. If you do, take your next scheduled dose at your regular time
DON’T take two doses of SPRYCEL at the same time
If you take an antacid medicine,
take it 2 hours before or
your dose of SPRYCEL.
“I tried to remember that taking my medication was one way I could maintain control, even when everything else seemed too much.”
-Lee, SPRYCEL patient
“I tried to remember that taking my medication was one way I could maintain control, even when everything else seemed too much.”
-Lee, SPRYCEL patient
Quick tips
How to make SPRYCEL part of your daily routine
Pick an activity you do every day and take your medication at that time; when you brush your teeth, for instance
Take SPRYCEL at the same time every day—maybe right after getting up in the morning, or at breakfast or dinner
Set a daily alarm on your phone as a reminder until it’s part of your routine
Ask your loved ones to make sure you’ve taken your medication
What if I miss a dose of SPRYCEL?
If you miss a dose of SPRYCEL, take your next scheduled dose at your regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time. Call your healthcare provider or your pharmacist if you are not sure what to do.
What if I take too much SPRYCEL?
Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency
room right away
See additional Important Facts about side effects below.
Are you experiencing side effects?
Tell your healthcare team if you have any side effects with SPRYCEL® (dasatinib)
Side effects can vary from person to person.
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS
SPRYCEL may cause serious side effects, including those listed below.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of the side effects below, or any other concerns about these side effects:
Low blood cell counts
Bleeding problems
Your body may hold too much
fluid (fluid retention)
Heart and blood vessel
(cardiovascular) problems
Pulmonary Arterial
Hypertension (PAH)
Severe skin reactions
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)
Liver problems
MOST common side effects
These are the commonly observed side effects with SPRYCEL:
Shortness
of breath
Tiredness
Diarrhea or
Nausea
Headache
Skin rash
Muscle pain
SPRYCEL may cause fertility problems in males and females. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.
These are not all the side effects that can occur. Please read additional information on these side effects below.
Don't wait to get in touch with your doctor–your healthcare team
wants to know how you're doing and may be able to help.
For Caregivers
Be your loved one's advocate. Reach out to the healthcare team if need be. Also, make a note of any questions you want to ask during healthcare visits, and take notes at appointments.
CONSIDER THESE TIPS TO HELP YOU START TREATMENT*
If you have CML, or are caring for someone who does, these nutrition tips may help
with certain side effects.
If you’re feeling nauseous…
Eat soft, bland foods such as crackers, toast, yogurt, chicken
noodle soup, cottage cheese, or sherbet
Drink water, unsweetened juice, ginger ale, or sports drinks
Stay away from greasy, fried, or fatty foods. Avoid tobacco,
alcohol, and foods with a strong odor such as coffee, onions,
and garlic
If you’re having diarrhea…
Sip fluids, nibble on ice chips or popsicles so that you don’t
get dehydrated
Eat small meals and snacks throughout the day
Avoid greasy food, raw fruits and vegetables, hot or spicy food,
alcohol, caffeine, and tomato or citrus juice
There are tips to help with fatigue too
If you have CML:
Decide which things are most important to do, and try to take
care of those first
Don’t force yourself to do more than you can manage
If you are caring for someone with CML:
Help with tasks such as cooking, housework, or errands
Think about asking other family members and friends to help
with tasks too, to lighten the load on you
*Tips drawn from CancerCenter.com and the
American Cancer Society.
Speak to your healthcare provider before taking any new prescriptions,
over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, antacids, and herbal supplements. If an
antacid is needed, it should be taken 2 hours before or 2 hours after your dose
of SPRYCEL.
Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may
report side effects to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
BMS Access Support®
Support for Patients - Every Step of the Journey
BMS Access Support provides resources to help you understand your coverage and financial
support options when it matters the most.
The program includes:
$0 Co-pay and Free Trial Offer
-
If you are a commercially insured patient, you may be eligible for a $0 co-pay
offer* (subject to an annual maximum benefit of $15,000). - New SPRYCEL patients may be eligible for a free 30-day trial offer.*
* Please refer to the full Eligibility Terms and Conditions .
Additional BMS access support resources:
Insurance Benefits
Review†
Prior Authorization
Support
Patient Resources
*Eligibility Terms and Conditions Apply
†The completion and submission of all documentation to the patient’s insurance plan is the responsibility of the provider
and patient. Bristol Myers Squibb and its agents cannot guarantee coverage for any treatment.
You can contact BMS Access Support
at 1-800-861-0048
Monday to Friday,
8:00 am to 8:00 pm EST or visit the
website here.
You’re not alone
Reach out to these support groups
About 70,000 people in the US are living with Ph+ CML. There are many organizations that provide a sense of community and support. See the list of national organizations below. Your doctor’s office can let you know about groups in your area.
The list of resources is provided as a convenience. Bristol Myers Squibb
does not endorse and is not responsible for information provided by
third-party organizations.
For Caregivers
Many of these organizations provide resources to help you as you care for your loved one. They acknowledge the challenges you face in your role, and encourage you to take care of yourself too. Visit the sites listed here for helpful information and tips on many caregiving topics.