Decitabine

Brand names: Dacogen™

Chemical formula:

Drug Forms:
• Decitabine Injection (below)
• Decitabine Solution for injection

Español:
• Decitabina, Solución para inyección

Decitabine Injection

What is Decitabine Injection?

DECITABINE (Dacogen™) is a chemotherapy agent used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes. Decitabine interferes with the growth of rapidly dividing cells, like cancer cells, and eventually causes these cells to die.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• dental disease
• infection (especially viral infections such as chickenpox or herpes)
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• an unusual reaction to decitabine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Decitabine is given as an infusion into a vein. It is usually administered in a hospital or clinic setting.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss a dose if you require regular therapy. Let your prescriber or health care professional know if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What drug(s) may interact with Decitabine?

• vaccines

Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:
• aspirin
• acetaminophen
• digoxin
• ibuprofen
• naproxen
• ketoprofen

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Decitabine?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks. The side effects can continue after you finish your treatment; report side effects promptly.

Decitabine may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon because decitabine affects good cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects as above, but continue your course of medicine even though you feel ill, unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you to stop.

Decitabine may decrease your body's ability to fight infections. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a fever, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Decitabine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding. Be careful not to cut, bruise or injure yourself because you may get an infection and bleed more than usual.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick while receiving decitabine because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving decitabine.

There is a possibility that decitabine could cause harm to an unborn child; this applies to both men and women. If you are pregnant or you or your partner are considering getting pregnant, talk to your health care provider about the risks of decitabine therapy. Women or men whose partner may have children should use appropriate birth control methods during decitabine therapy. Discuss possible methods of birth control with your health care provider.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Decitabine?

The side effects you may experience with decitabine therapy depend upon the dose, other types of chemotherapy or radiation therapy given, and the disease being treated. Not all of these effects occur in all patients. Discuss any concerns or questions with your prescriber or health care professional.

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• low blood counts - decitabine may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding.
• signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
• signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
• signs of decreased red blood cells - unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadednes
• increased blood sugar

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• constipation
• diarrhea
• fatigue
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• skin rash, itching
• stomach pain
• water retention

Where can I keep my medicine?

You will only receive this medicine in a hospital or clinic setting and will not need to store it at home.

Last updated: 7/1/2002

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.

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