It appears Sprycel may cause the rare side-effect of mouth sores in some people. I believe I have been a victim. I did not have this problem on Gleevec (9 months). As 2 dentists and 1 oral pathologist sent me on my way and could not help me, I had to do SOMETHING to relieve my suffering. Believe me, I would rather go through child-birth over and over than be tortured by these ulcers. Anyway, after trying a bunch of vitamin, anti-oxidant, and probiotics (with approval from my onc and the onco-pharmacist---however the nutritionist had issue because some of what I was taking could "interfere" with chemotherapy---pretty sure she has no inkling of what a TKI is, its chemical properties and drug reactions--so, I ignored her advice).
Very recently, I started taking 50 billion active cultures of a probiotic mix. I originally took L-lycene at 1500mg. But that alone did not seem to work. Now I just take 500mg per day along with the probiotic. This combo to be working. Now I get some sore spots in my mouth, but they are usually gone within a few days and never develop into ulcers. I am so grateful.
I just wanted to share this. I researched and searched desperately on my own for relief. I am not suggesting anyone do this without the blessing from their onc, just wanted to report what is working for me.
Best of luck to my fellow mouth sore sufferers,
Teds
P.S. When I was taking Gleevec, I developed severe anemia. When I switched to Sprycel, the anemia improved considerably, but I started to get mouth sores. From what I have read, anemia may cause mouth sores to develop (and low neutrophils, but my ANC has been around .9 and above). However, I did not get the sores when the anemia was so bad on Gleevec, (HGB mostly steady at 5, but sometimes lower), and my neutrophils bottomed out (lowest measured at .2). It was not until Sprycel that I had such a severe problem with ulcers (mostly on my tongue). It is quite possible, since the anemia has improved, that is why the sores have also. However, I am unsure. All I know is that I can now read to my children and eat with pleasure, and in public!