Dasatinib in Treating Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the pancreas * Metastatic disease * Measurable or evaluable/nonmeasurable disease * No known brain metastases * ECOG performance status (PS) 0-2 OR Karnofsky PS 60-100% * Life expectancy \> 12 weeks * Absolute granulocyte count \>= 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count \>= 100,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin \> 8.5 g/dL * Bilirubin =\< 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST and ALT =\< 2.5 times ULN * Creatinine =\< 2.0 mg/dL * Not pregnant or nursing * No history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to dasatinib * No QTc prolongation (i.e., QTc interval \>= 480 msecs \[Fridericia correction\]) or other significant ECG abnormalities * LVEF normal by MUGA scan * No condition that impairs ability to swallow and retain dasatinib tablets, including any of the following: * Gastrointestinal tract disease resulting in an inability to take oral medication or a requirement for IV alimentation * Prior surgical procedures affecting absorption * Active peptic ulcer disease * No clinically significant cardiovascular disease, including any of the following: * Myocardial infarction or ventricular tachyarrhythmia within the past 6 months * Major conduction abnormality (unless a cardiac pacemaker is present) * Recovered from all prior therapy * More than 4 weeks since prior adjuvant chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C) and/or radiotherapy * No prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease * More than 4 weeks since prior EGFR inhibitors (e.g., imatinib mesylate, gefitinib, erlotinib hydrochloride, or lapatinib ditosylate) * No prior EGFR inhibitors that target Src kinases * At least 7 days since prior and no concurrent agents with proarrhythmic potential * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients * No concurrent grapefruit or grapefruit juice * No other concurrent anticancer agents or therapies * No concurrent systemic antacids (i.e., H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors) \[Locally acting antacids (e.g., Maalox, Mylanta) allowed within either 2 hours before or 2 hours after dasatinib therapy\] * No concurrent uncontrolled illness, including, but not limited to, any of the following: * Ongoing or active infection * History of significant bleeding disorder, including congenital (von Willebrand's disease) or acquired (anti-factor VIII antibodies) disorders * Large pleural effusions * Psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance * More than 7 days since prior and no concurrent CYP3A4 inducers or inhibitors * No other concurrent investigational agents